The Ballpark at Jackson
"The Big Chip"
Former namesPringles Park (1998–2012)
Location4 Fun Place
Jackson, TN 38305
Coordinates35°40′34.29″N 88°46′9.49″W / 35.6761917°N 88.7693028°W / 35.6761917; -88.7693028
OwnerThe City of Jackson
OperatorThe City of Jackson
Capacity6,000 [1]
Field sizeLeft field: 330 feet (100 m)
Center field: 390 feet (120 m)
Right field: 330 feet (100 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1997
OpenedApril 16, 1998 [1]
Construction cost$8 million[1]
($14.4 million in 2022 dollars[2])
ArchitectHeery International[1]
General contractorHenson Construction Services[1]
Tenants
Jackson Generals (SL) 1998–2020
Winnipeg Goldeyes (AA) 2021
Jackson Rockabillys (PL) 2023–present

The Ballpark at Jackson is a 6,000-seat minor league baseball stadium in Jackson, Tennessee, United States. It opened in 1998.

The Ballpark at Jackson was built by the municipal government of Jackson, Tennessee, and was the home of the Jackson Generals, formerly of the Southern League from 1998 to 2020. The stadium is northeast of downtown Jackson and is visible from Interstate 40.

It also hosts other events, including Pro Wrestling for the USA Championship Wrestling company.

History

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, the Jackson Generals were not invited to serve as any team's affiliate, effectively ending their run in the Southern League and affiliated baseball altogether.[3] Major League Baseball has stated its intentions to assist cities like Jackson in joining independent baseball leagues; the team's lease require them to maintain a Class A, Double-A, or Triple-A affiliation to remain at The Ballpark at Jackson.[3]

With no team lined up for 2021, the Generals agreed to operate The Ballpark at Jackson as a temporary home for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, an independent American Association team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, which was displaced due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.[4] However, Jackson Mayor Scott Conger notified the teams that the Generals lost their authority to manage the city-owned ballpark when they lost their affiliation with Minor League Baseball and that they were issued an eviction notice to leave the stadium after May 30, nine days after the Goldeyes' May 21 home opener.[5] On June 1, the Goldeyes entered into a new license agreement with the city to continue use of the facility.[6] The Generals and the City of Jackson went go to an arbiter to determine which party had legal control of the stadium.[5] The arbiter ruled in favor of the city, determining the team's lease to be invalid after the loss of its affiliation and requiring the team to vacate the ballpark.[7]

In December 2021, the Prospect League announced that the Jackson Rockabillys will play home games at the ballpark for the 2023 season.[8]

Naming rights

From its opening until November 1, 2012, The Ballpark at Jackson was known as Pringles Park, due to a naming rights agreement with Procter & Gamble, then-owners of the Pringles brand, which has a factory in Jackson. In 2012, the Pringles brand was sold to Kellogg's. Kellogg's opted not to renew the naming rights agreement, and the name was changed to The Ballpark at Jackson for the 2013 season.[9]

Notable events

The Ballpark at Jackson has hosted the 1999 and 2011 Southern League All-Star Games and the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2021 Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Knight, Graham. "The Ballpark at Jackson". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  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 May 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Friedman, Adam (December 9, 2020). "Jackson Generals Not Invited to Join the New Minor League Baseball, Future Is Uncertain". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  4. ↑ Friesen, Paul (May 7, 2021). "Katz's Goldeyes Face High, Hard One From Tennessee Mayor". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Shields, Brandon (May 16, 2021). "A Timeline of Jackson Generals and City of Jackson's Heated Exchanges". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (June 1, 2021). "Goldeyes to Play in Jackson Following Agreement with City". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (November 10, 2021). "City Takes Control of the Ballpark at Jackson After Arbitration Win". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Jackson, Tenn. added to Prospect League beginning in 2023". Prospect League (Press release). December 14, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ Thomas, David (December 3, 2012). "Ballpark not benefiting from Pringles Park sign". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  10. ↑ "2012 Baseball Championships". Ohio Valley Conference. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
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