Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium

Last updated

Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium
Pfitzner Stadium Exterior.JPG
Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium
Former namesDavis Ford Park (1984–1985)
Prince William County Stadium (1986–1995)
G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium (1996–2017)
Location7 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
Coordinates 38°41′3″N77°21′9″W / 38.68417°N 77.35250°W / 38.68417; -77.35250 Coordinates: 38°41′3″N77°21′9″W / 38.68417°N 77.35250°W / 38.68417; -77.35250
Owner Prince William County Park Authority
Operator Potomac Baseball LLC.
Capacity 6,000
Record attendance10,789 (July 4, 2009) [1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 315
Center Field: 400
Right Field: 315
SurfacePatriot Bermuda Grass
ScoreboardDaktronics BA-2026
Construction
Broke ground1983
OpenedApril 19, 1984
Construction cost $2 million [2]
($4.98 million in 2020 dollars [3] )
ArchitectHughes Group Architects [4]
Tenants
Potomac Nationals (CL) 1984–2019

Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium, nicknamed "The Pfitz", is a stadium in the Coles Magisterial District of Prince William County, Virginia. [1] It is primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Potomac Nationals before they relocated to Fredericksburg in 2020. Built in 1984, the stadium is near the McCoart Government Center, the offices of the Prince William County Service Authority, and the Sean Connaughton Community Plaza. It seats 6,000 people.

Contents

Layout

The unique dugouts at Pfitzner Stadium prior to the addition of protective netting in 2018. Pfitzner Stadium Dugout.JPG
The unique dugouts at Pfitzner Stadium prior to the addition of protective netting in 2018.

The fences at Pfitzner Stadium are 315 feet down the lines and 400 feet to straight-away center field. There is an electronic scoreboard in left-center field capable of displaying images as well as some video. The dugouts at the stadium are unusual in that they are located at field level, and prior to 2018 there was no fence or rail separating them from the field. However, as part of renovations completed following the 2017 season, netting was added in front of both the home and visiting dugouts. [5]

History

2011-2012 improvements

After the 2011 season, the field was redone to upgrade it to MLB specifications, as the previous field failed to meet those standards. This was done due to moving a series because of unsafe conditions. [6]

2012 fire

A one-alarm fire caused by an inside gas leak destroyed the facility's business offices on June 29, 2012. There were no fatalities or injuries. Other parts of the stadium, including the concession stands one level below the offices, were not damaged. [7] The fire put the Nationals' mascot Uncle Slam out of action for the remainder of the Carolina League season. [8]

Naming history

The stadium was originally known as Davis Ford Park before being renamed Prince William County Stadium in 1986 and then G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium in 1996. [9] [10]

On May 3, 2018, the Potomac Nationals announced that as part of a sponsorship deal with Northwest Federal Credit Union, the stadium would be renamed Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. The naming rights deal also included the stadium's field tarp and bullpen picnic area. [11]

Potomac Nationals occupation

Departure of the Potomac Nationals

The Potomac Nationals, playing at Pfitzner Stadium since 1984, began seeking a better ballpark at least as early as 1998, [12] with various proposals made in 2000, [13] 2002, [14] 2005, [15] 2010, [16] 2011, [17] and 2016. [18] [19] [20]

In December 2016 reports emerged of a possible new Potomac Nationals stadium. Two County Supervisors said that team owner Art Silber told them Minor League Baseball is requiring the team to be out of Pfitzner Stadium by the end of the 2018 season. [21]

In June 2018, Potomac Nationals owner Art Silber announced that he had signed a letter of intent to build a new stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia that would open in April 2020, [22] though the deal actually calls for the facility to be ready for public events by April 1, 2021. [23] The Potomac Nationals played their last regular season game at Pfitzner Stadium on August 29, 2019. [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

Carolina League Defunct sports league of minor league baseball in the United States

The Carolina League was a Minor League Baseball league which operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States from 1945 to 2020. It was classified as a Class A-Advanced league from 1990 onward, one of three leagues at that level.

Stafford County, Virginia U.S. county in Virginia

Stafford County is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is a suburb outside of Washington D.C. It is approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of D.C. It is part of the Northern Virginia region, and the D.C area. It is one of the fastest growing, and highest-income counties in America. As of the 2010 census, the population was 128,961. Its county seat is Stafford.

Fredericksburg, Virginia Independent city in Commonwealth of Virginia, United States

Fredericksburg is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,286, an increase from 19,279 at the 2000 census. The city population was estimated at 29,036 in 2019. The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce combines the city of Fredericksburg with neighboring Spotsylvania County for statistical purposes.

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Multi-purpose stadium in Washington, D.C., United States

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a defunct multi-purpose stadium in Washington, D.C. It is located about two miles (3 km) due east of the U.S. Capitol building, near the west bank of the Anacostia River and next to the D.C. Armory. Opened 60 years ago in 1961, it was owned by the federal government until 1986.

Blue Line (Washington Metro) Washington Metro rapid transit line

The Blue Line is a rapid transit line of the Washington Metro system, consisting of 27 stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia; the District of Columbia; and Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The Blue Line runs from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. The line shares tracks with the Orange Line for 13 stations, the Silver Line for 18, and the Yellow Line for six. Only three stations are exclusive to the Blue Line.

Washington Nationals Baseball team and Major League Baseball franchise in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadium while a new stadium was being built. In 2008, they moved in to Nationals Park, located on South Capitol Street in the Southeast quadrant of D.C., near the Anacostia River.

Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad

The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad was a railroad connecting Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, D.C. The track is now the RF&P Subdivision of the CSX Transportation system; the original corporation is no longer a railroad company.

Potomac Nationals Minor League Baseball team

The Potomac Nationals were a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League. They were located in Woodbridge, Virginia, and played their home games at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. After the 2019 season, the team relocated to Fredericksburg, Virginia, becoming the Fredericksburg Nationals.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Minor League Baseball team

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a Minor League Baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the Low-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Pelicans compete in the Low-A East. Home games are played at TicketReturn.com Field, which opened in 1999 and seats up to 6,599 people.

Dell Diamond

Dell Diamond is the home stadium of the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball team. On April 16, 2000, the then-Double-A affiliate Express played their first home game at the stadium.

Intimidators Stadium is a baseball stadium in Kannapolis, North Carolina. It was most recently the home venue for the Kannapolis Intimidators, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Nationals Park Baseball park in Washington, DC, USA

Nationals Park is a baseball park along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C., home to the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball since its completion in 2008, it was the first LEED-certified green major professional sports stadium in the United States.

The Alexandria Dukes were a Minor League Baseball team of the Class A Carolina League from 1978 to 1983. Alexandria was unable to secure a Major League Baseball affiliate for their inaugural season, and again in 1980, forcing the team to operate as a co-op franchise for those two seasons. They were affiliated with the Seattle Mariners in 1979 and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1981 to 1983. The Dukes won their sole Carolina League championship in 1982.

Truist Stadium

Truist Stadium is a ballpark in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that replaced Ernie Shore Field. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Winston-Salem Dash minor league baseball team.

WFVA Radio station in Fredericksburg, Virginia

WFVA is a commercial AM radio station in Fredericksburg, Virginia. WFVA is owned and operated by Centennial Broadcasting. It airs a talk radio format. The studios, offices and transmitter are on Mimosa Street in Fredericksburg. The call sign stands for Fredericksburg, VirginiA. It has kept the same call letters for its eight decades of broadcasting.

County Center, Virginia CDP in Virginia, United States

County Center is a census-designated place in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 3,270. In 2021, the United States Census Bureau estimated it to be 4,045. It is notable for including the county's McCoart Government Center off Prince William Parkway, along with adjoining Pfitzner Stadium, former home field of the Potomac Nationals, now the Fredericksburg Nationals.

FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is a baseball park located in West Palm Beach, Florida. The stadium has a capacity of 6,500 people in fixed seats with room for 1,000 more on the outfield berm. The stadium hosts the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals Major League Baseball teams annually for spring training. It also hosts the Gulf Coast League Astros and the Gulf Coast League Nationals of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

The FredNats Ballpark is a multi-purpose stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The stadium has 5,000 seats, a 300-seat club facility, and 13 suites. The estimated cost of the stadium is $35 million. It is home to the Fredericksburg Nationals, a Minor League Baseball team of the Low-A East and an affiliate of the Washington Nationals, since 2021. The stadium will also host a variety of community athletic and social events. In 2020 and 2021, it served as the alternate training site for the Washington Nationals.

Fredericksburg Nationals Minor League Baseball team

The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team that is the Low-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and play their home games at FredNats Ballpark, with a capacity of 5,000 people.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ballpark History | Potomac Nationals Pfitzner Stadium". MiLB.com . Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  2. ↑ Bullis, Tim (July 1, 1998). "Owner Moving Cannons North". The Free Lance–Star . Fredericksburg, VA. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  3. ↑ 1634 to 1699: Harris, P. (1996). "Inflation and Deflation in Early America, 1634–1860: Patterns of Change in the British American Economy". Social Science History . 20 (4): 469–505. JSTOR   1171338. 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 January 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Addition Community Projects". Hughes Group Architects. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Potomac Nationals Announce Upgrades to Pfitzner Stadium for the 2018 Season". MiLB.com . March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ Kerr, Byron (January 4, 2012). "Potomac Nationals Install New Grass Field at Pfitzner Stadium". Mid-Atlantic Sports Network . Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ Kerr, Byron (June 29, 2012). "Potomac's Pfitzner Stadium Sustains Damage from Fire, All Employees Accounted For". Mid-Atlantic Sports Network . Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Mascot Uncle Slam Placed on 60-Day DL". Minor League Baseball. July 6, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  9. ↑ Gignilliat, David (April 27, 2012). "All for Love of the Game". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Anderson, Ruth (July 13, 2017). "Letter: Supervisor Ruth Anderson to vote no on P-Nats stadium deal". InsideNoVa.com. Rappahannock Media LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ "P-Nats Announce Field Naming Rights Partnership with Northwest Federal Credit Union". milb.com . Potomac Nationals. May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  12. ↑ Shear, Michael D. (March 21, 1998). "Cannons Aim for Stadium in Fairfax". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  13. ↑ Eggen, Dan (November 1, 2000). "Cannons Set Sights on Fairfax". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  14. ↑ Weiss, Eric M. (July 4, 2002). "Stadium Deal to Keep Cannons in Pr. William". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  15. ↑ Campbell, Rich (February 14, 2005). "Cannons Make Name Change; New Stadium Also Will Be Built for the Potomac Nationals". The Washington Post. p. D04. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  16. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (September 27, 2010). "P-Nats, Prince William County working on new ballpark plan". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  17. ↑ Buske, Jennifer (August 1, 2011). "Aging Potomac Nationals' stadium field to get a makeover". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  18. ↑ Koma, Alex (December 14, 2016). "Potomac Nationals, Prince William County nearing stadium agreement". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  19. ↑ Koma, Alex (December 30, 2016). "New Potomac Nationals stadium construction may face hurdles". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  20. ↑ Rist, Hugh (February 16, 2016). "Potomac Nationals face 2018 deadline for new stadium". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  21. ↑ Koma, Alex (December 30, 2016). "New Potomac Nationals stadium construction may face hurdles". InsideNoVa.com. Leesburg, Virginia: Northern Virginia Media Services. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  22. ↑ Hambrick, Greg (June 26, 2018). "Potomac Nationals announce plans for Fredericksburg stadium". InsideNoVa.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  23. ↑ Spedden, Zach (May 20, 2019). "Could Fredericksburg Ballpark Open in 2021?". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  24. ↑ Murillo, Mike (August 30, 2019). "Thanks for the memories: Potomac Nationals play last regular game in Prince William Co". WTOP-FM . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Corredor's Bomb Drives P-Nats to 5–1 Victory". MiLB.com. Potomac Nationals. August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.