NORTH AUGUSTA — Laughter, high-fives and an occasional moment of upbeat chaos were the norm on the field at SRP Park leading up to the Augusta…
SRP Park, the new Augusta GreenJackets stadium, has been named Ballpark of the Year by BaseballParks.com, according to a press release from the website.
The stadium is the first completed section of Riverside Village the new "live, work, play" development along the Savannah River.
BaseballParks.com has presented the title "to the new or remodeled baseball stadium with the best combination of site selection, exterior appearance, architectural design, and fan amenities. The selection is made by an advisory panel utilized by the 21-year-old site," the release says.
“For BaseballParks.com to give us this award is truly an honor,” said Jeff Eiseman of Agon Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the GreenJackets, in the release. “When you have an outside, independent, respected voice that has done its due diligence seeing every ballpark, recognize our ballpark with this award, it’s truly special. It’s affirmation of what we believed. And we’re in tremendous company considering the others that have won it.”
Bats and balls may leave the field, folks.
North Augusta High School and Greenbrier High School played the very first game in the park on April 9; and the next day, Clemson University and University of Georgia's baseball teams face off in SRP Park. Two days later, the GreenJackets had their opening night against the Lexington Legends.
“When the City of North Augusta teamed up with the GreenJackets to bring baseball to our community, a high-quality venue was vital to our riverfront development," said North Augusta City Administrator Todd Glover in the release. "We are thrilled that our stadium is now being recognized nationally. It is symbolic of the excellence that our citizens expect.”
BaseballParks.com has been presenting this title to parks for 19 years. "The list of past winners reads like a Who's Who of standout baseball facilities," the release says.
North Augusta High School’s baseball team may not have won the first game played at SRP Park, but the school’s athletic programs did win big o…
“SRP Park is the gem we all knew it would be, and I am so pleased that BaseballParks.com recognized what a tremendous facility it is,” said Pat O’Conner, Minor League Baseball president and CEO, in the release. “All of the hard work and effort put forth by the ownership group led by Chris Schoen, Jeff Eiseman, Missy Martin and Tom Denlinger was well worth it, and this honor is something that everyone in the GreenJackets organization and the city of North Augusta should be proud of.”
By 2020, the rest of Riverside Village will be completed. Along with SRP Park, it will include retail stores, restaurants, a Crowne Plaza hotel, a riverfront park, condominiums and apartments.
