Victory Field

For the first Victory Field (1942–1967), see Bush Stadium. For the former military airfield in Texas, see Victory Field (Texas).
Victory Field
Victory Field in 2019
Map
LocationWhite River State Park, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Coordinates39°45′54″N 86°10′6″W / 39.76500°N 86.16833°W / 39.76500; -86.16833
Public transitLocal Transit IndyGo 8, 24
OwnerCapital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, Indiana
OperatorCapital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, Indiana
CapacityBaseball:
12,230 (fixed seats)
14,230 (lawn and standing room)
Field sizeLeft field: 320 ft (98 m)
Left-center field: 418 ft (127 m)
Center field: 402 ft (123 m)
Right-center field: 362 ft (110 m)
Right field: 320 ft (98 m)
Construction
Broke groundDecember 16, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-12-16)[1]
OpenedJuly 11, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-07-11)
Construction cost$20 million
($38.9 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectPopulous (then HOK Sport); Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf (associate architect)[3]
Project managerGeupel DeMars Hagerman[4]
Structural engineerFink Roberts & Petrie, Inc.[4]
Services engineerBredson & Associates, Inc.[5]
General contractorHuber, Hunt & Nichols, Inc.[4]
Tenants
Indianapolis Indians (AA/IL/AAAE) 1996–present
Website
www.milb.com/indianapolis/ballpark

Victory Field is a minor league ballpark in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is home to the Indianapolis Indians of the International League.

History

Victory Field opened on July 11, 1996, with the Indians falling to the Oklahoma City 89ers, 5–3, in front of 14,667 fans. It replaced Bush Stadium, which had also been called Victory Field for 25 years from 1942 to 1967.[6] The new park seated 13,300 fans (15,696 with lawn seating) when it was opened. However, in 2005, a 1,000-seat bleacher section was removed to make room for a picnic area. The name reflects the victory of the United States in World War II. The opening of Victory Field in 1996 was the catalyst for a revitalization of downtown Indianapolis.[7]

A record 16,168 fans were in attendance on July 22, 2000, to witness the Indians lose to the Columbus Clippers 6–5.[6] In 2023, the Indians drew an average home attendance of 7,842 in 71 home games, the 4th highest in Minor League Baseball.[8]

The stadium hosted the 2001 Triple-A All-Star Game in which the Pacific Coast League All-Stars defeated the International League All-Stars, 9–5.[9]

The Indiana Hoosiers baseball team has played one game each year at Victory Field since 2015.

The IHSAA uses Victory Field for its state final baseball matches.

In 2021, a six-person panel of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indianapolis members identified the ballpark to be among the ten most "architecturally significant" buildings completed in the city since World War II.[3]

Features

Victory Field has been recognized as the "Best Minor League Ballpark in America" by Baseball America and Sports Illustrated. It was ranked the sixth-best by Baseball America in their 2015 survey.[10]

The stadium has 12,230 permanent seats and room for 2,000 more fans on the outfield lawn. On popular days such as Independence Day, attendance has exceeded 15,000 including standing room only. Victory Field also features 28 luxury suites, five suite-level party areas, and two picnic areas.

Seating sections include:

  • Box: 6,935 (Lower: 5,418; Upper: 1,517)
  • Reserved: 3,760 (Lower: 1,647; Upper: 2,113)
  • Lawn: 2,000
  • Yuengling Landing: 116 (plus 80 standing-room only tickets)
  • Elements Financial Club: 132 (plus 100 standing-room only tickets)
  • Suite level: 543
  • Wheelchair: 240

Sports venues Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana University Natatorium, and the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium are located nearby.

Seating capacity

The seating capacity has changed over the years:

  • 13,500, 15,696 with lawn seating (1996–2004)[11]
  • 12,500, 14,500 with lawn seating (2005–2010)[12]
  • 12,200, 14,200 with lawn seating (2011)[13]
  • 12,202, 14,202 with lawn seating (2012)[14]
  • 12,230, 14,230 with lawn seating (2013–present)[6]

Improvements

Several changes were made to the ballpark between the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Most notably, crews installed a new HD video display that spans the left field wall and measures 6+1⁄2 feet (2.0 m) tall by 120 feet (37 m) wide. The new digital board, which has the highest resolution (16mm) of any display in Minor League Baseball, features interactive messages, advertisements, and live scores and statistics. The Indians invested approximately $600,000 in the new digital display which was designed by Daktronics.[15]

With the arrival of the 2021 season, the Elements Financial Club opened on the upper level behind home plate. The area offers premium ticket options for up to 200 fans, including access to a climate-controlled interior lounge with a full-service bar.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Indianapolis Begins Work On Its New Baseball Stadium". The News-Sentinel. Fort Wayne. December 17, 1996. p. 7S. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Shuey, Mickey (December 3, 2021). "Indy's Top 10 architecturally wondrous buildings". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Victory Field". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  5. ^ "Pro Baseball Sports Facilities". Bredson & Associates, Inc. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c "2014 Indianapolis Indians Media Guide: Victory Field & Media" (PDF). Indianapolis Indians. April 27, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "Indianapolis' Nationally Lauded Downtown Renaissance Continues". Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  8. ^ https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/10/16/2023-milb-attendance-by-average/
  9. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (1998–2002)". Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. ^ Schoettle, Anthony (June 3, 2015). "Victory Field keeps pace with newer, more expensive venues". ibj.com. Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  11. ^ "Downtown Stadium Should Be Pursued". Louisville Business First. October 7, 1996. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  12. ^ "2007 Indianapolis Indians Media Guide" (PDF). Indianapolis Indians. April 7, 2007. p. 130. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  13. ^ "2011 Indianapolis Indians Media Guide" (PDF). Indianapolis Indians. April 5, 2011. p. 192. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  14. ^ "2012 Indianapolis Indians Media Guide" (PDF). Indianapolis Indians. April 27, 2012. p. 154. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  15. ^ "Indians Add New Video Board At Victory Field". Our Sports Central. Indianapolis Indians. April 5, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  16. ^ "Elements Financial Club". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Victory Field.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Indianapolis Indians
1996 – present 		Succeeded by
current