State Gives its $7 Million for Stadium 

   With the start of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ inaugural season less than three months away, Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced Board of Public Works approval of a $7 million matching State grant for the design and construction of the new Southern Maryland baseball stadium.  The home opener is scheduled for May 2, 2008. 

    “Working together, the State of Maryland and the residents and community leaders of Charles County are moving forward with one of the most exciting and largest economic development projects in Southern Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley.  “This new stadium will generate new jobs, become a tourist attraction for our State and region, and improve the quality of life that we all enjoy as Marylanders.”

   State economic development officials have estimated that baseball and other events at the stadium will create at least 230 new jobs and generate an estimated $27 million annually in spending in Charles County.  In addition to baseball, the County hopes the stadium – located in St. Charles – will be a venue for concerts, community gatherings and other sporting events throughout the year.

   Last summer, Governor O’Malley attended the groundbreaking of the Regency Furniture Stadium and Entertainment Complex, along with local elected officials from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties.  The $26.5 million, 4,500-seat project is financed by a combination of funding from Charles County, the State and Opening Day Partners, LLC, the corporate owner of the team.  

   In a controversial move at the end of June, the County agreed to allow Opening Day Partners to add its third of the construction costs to the amount the County will borrow via bond.  The developers will make payments for their $8.5 million share directly to the County and be able to take advantage of the County’s access to financing sources with cheaper interest rates than are generally available to businesses.  

   In return Opening Day Partners has agreed to give the county an extra $1 million toward the project’s contingency fund.  They were not required to provide any additional collateral; and they declined to provide the County with information on the company’s financial health. 

   The ballpark architect is Tetra Tech, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, which also designed the minor league ballparks in Aberdeen (Ripken Stadium) and Salisbury (Perdue Stadium).  The Maryland Stadium Authority was selected as the project manager, while Skanska USA Building Inc., of Rockville is the construction manager.  Minority Business participation on the construction project is 26 percent.

.

Party with the Blue Crabs

   The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs recently announced home game times and fireworks dates for their inaugural season.  The club also announced three national acts scheduled to entertain fans at Regency Furniture Stadium in 2008.

   With few exceptions, home games will begin at 7:05 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6:35 p.m. on Saturdays.  All but one Sunday home game is scheduled for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.  The exceptions: a 2:05 p.m. start on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26); a 6:35 p.m. start on Sunday, July 13; and a pair of 11:05 a.m. starts on “Camp Days” Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, July 31.

    “We decided on these game times based largely on feedback we have received from our fans and ticket holders through our website,” said Blue Crabs owner, Brooks Robinson. “These times, specifically the 6:35 Saturday starts and the 2:05 Sunday starts, will allow us to accommodate the schedules of the majority of our fans.”

   The inaugural season will feature 18 post-game fireworks displays, including shows after both the Friday and Saturday games during the Blue Crabs first three weekend homestands (May 2-3, May 16-17 and May 30-31).  Each of the 11 Saturday home games will include fireworks, as will the special Sunday night game on July 13 and Friday night games on June 27 and August 8.  The Fourth of July game will culminate with a holiday fireworks spectacular.  

   The Blue Crabs organization booked three of minor league baseball’s most popular national acts to perform during the season.  BirdZerk! will make his Southern Maryland debut on Friday, May 16.  The ZOOperstars! will visit Regency Furniture Stadium on Sunday, June 22.  And, Reggy–The Purple Party Dude hosts his bash on Friday, June 27.

    “With 18 fireworks nights and three, hilarious national acts we have started putting together a fantastic promotional schedule that will help make Blue Crab’s games the complete, entertainment experience,” said General Manager, Mark Viniard.  

   The 140-game Atlantic League schedule includes 70 games at Regency Furniture Stadium.  The inaugural series is scheduled for May 2-4 against the Lancaster Barnstormers. The complete promotional schedule including giveaways, theme nights and other activities will be released in coming weeks.  The Blue Crabs website also now has a live webcam that shows the construction progress at Regency Furniture Stadium.

.