Surface Sod (1–1¼ inches) Opened 24 May 2002 Owner Peoria Chiefs | Capacity 7,500 Phone +1 309-680-4000 Architecture firm HNTB | |
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Former names O'Brien Field (2002–2008)
Chiefs Stadium (2009–2013) Location 730 Southwest Jefferson Street
Peoria, IL 61605 Operator Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC Field size Left Field: 310 ft (94.49 m)
Left Center: 375 ft (114.3 m)
Center Field: 400 ft (121.92 m)
Right Center: 375 ft (114.3 m)
Right Field: 310 ft (94.49 m) Broke ground August 16, 2001 (2001-08-16) Address 730 SW Jefferson Ave, Peoria, IL 61605, USA General contractor River City Construction, L.L.C. Similar George L Luthy Memorial, Peoria Riverfront Museum, Lakeview Museum of Arts and, Caterpillar Visitors Center, Peoria Civic Center Profiles | ||
Video peoria chiefs opening workout at dozer park on april 4 as 2016 midwest league season arrives
Dozer Park, originally O'Brien Field and formerly Chiefs Stadium, is a baseball field located in downtown Peoria, Illinois. It is the home of the Peoria Chiefs, the Class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals; the Chiefs previously played at Meinen Field. The college baseball team of Bradley University also uses the field. It opened on May 24, 2002.
Contents
History
Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the $23 million multi-purpose stadium took place on August 16, 2001. The stadium opened on May 24, 2002 as O'Brien Field, with a game between the Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars.
O'Brien Auto Team held the original naming rights to the facility.
In 2011, the stadium hosted to the IHSA Class 1A and 2A baseball state finals. This was the first year the games were played at the facility.
The Peoria Chiefs became financially troubled. In April 2013, the Chiefs, including the stadium, received $7.35 million in financing and debt forgiveness. The plan included forgiveness of $1.2 million in debt to the City of Peoria; $250,000 more from Bradley University than was being paid before for the Bradley Braves baseball team to use the stadium for 10 years; and $2 million in funding from Caterpillar Inc. for naming rights over 10 years; and $2.7 million in new investment of cash and equity by the Chiefs' ownership group of about 50.
On May 10, 2013, Caterpillar and the Chiefs announced that the stadium would be renamed "Dozer Park", a reference to Caterpillar bulldozers.
The field
Dozer Park's sod has an 8-inch (200 mm) deep root zone of 90% sand and 10% Dakota peat for nutrition. The high concentration of sand naturally relieves soil compaction.
Beneath the sand and peat mix are 6 inches (150 mm) of gravel. Running through the gravel are drainage tiles that run from home plate to center field. A huge sump pump beyond center field then drains into the city sewer system.
The makeup of the pitcher's mound and batter's boxes are almost 100% clay because it packs better and is ware resistant. The rest of the infield skin area is around 40% clay, 30% silt and 20% sand.
The field will hold up to 5 inches (130 mm) of rain an hour.
The field is mowed every day during homestands, trimmed to 1–1 1⁄4 inches (25–32 mm) high. It takes 1.25 hours to cut the outfield grass 2 directions with a 100-inch (2.5 m) cut mower. A walk-behind mower is used for the infield.
The price tag for the field itself was around $450,000.
Luxury suites
Dozer Park accommodates 20 luxury suites. Examples include:
Food
Other than the five fixed concession stands there are mobile carts around the park. The Chiefs' concessionaire is Professional Sports Catering.