(Photo Courtesy of Greenville Drive)
Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive, has been ranked as one of the top Single-A ballparks in the country by Newsweek. The Greenville Drive is the long-time High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Nominated by Newsweek featured panelists and contributors, Fluor Field was chosen for its “charm and perfect mix of vintage vibes with modern flair.” Nominees were then ranked by a public online vote with Fluor Field ranking No. 3 across all Single-A ballparks in the country.
“This ranking proves that Fluor Field can stand the test of time as a treasured institution,” said Greenville Drive Owner and Chairman Craig Brown. “By making constant upgrades and improvements to fan and player experiences, Fluor Field is not only a favorite attraction for baseball fans, it’s also a sought-after year-round meetings and event venue.”
The award-winning baseball stadium is a true mini replica of Boston’s Fenway Park, including a 30-ft-high “Green Monster” hand-operated scoreboard in left field, “Pesky’s Pole” in right field, and a contiguous entertainment district known as District 356. Newsweek also cited the ballpark’s “massive video screen for instant replays, classic ballpark snacks, zany between-inning games and a dazzling post-game fireworks show” as reasons for the Top 3 ranking.
Known as the “front porch” of the Upstate community, Fluor Field is credited with being a catalyst for the transformational growth and economic development of Greenville’s West End historic district. Earlier this year, VisitGreenvilleSC commissioned a study showing Fluor Field and the Greenville Drive have had a positive $288 million economic impact on the community for the past 10 years alone.
Privately built and owned by Brown, Fluor Field (originally called West End Field) opened in downtown Greenville on April 6, 2006, sparking a community revitalization most cities only dream about. At the time of the stadium’s construction, the West End neighborhood where Fluor Field now stands was a picture of urban blight, the streets pocketed with shuttered businesses and beleaguered with crime. The coming reality of a major new tourist attraction, however, instilled confidence for new business investment that would soon extend Main Street’s success well beyond the Central Business District.
On July 8, Fluor Field celebrated its 6 Millionth Fan to enter the gates of the ballpark. That milestone stands as a testament to the sustaining popularity of the team and ballpark over the past 20 years. Other 20th Anniversary highlights for the Drive this season include Craig Brown being awarded the Order of the Palmetto –– South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, and the Drive and Fluor Field being featured on CBS Evening News for a story about how a baseball team can transform a community.
More about the Newsweek ranking may be found on its website.
Greenville Drive marks the milestone of its 6 millionth fan through the gates of Fluor Field, awards Jeremy Watkins of Greenville the title of Honorary 6 Millionth Fan. Read More »
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