Fort Bragg Game
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States
-
Typologies
Events
-
Building Activities
Baseball
-
Services
Event
-
Completion
2016
CHALLENGE. North Carolina’s Fort Bragg had never hosted a Major League Baseball game. Neither had the state, for that matter. The military base lacked a ballpark, let alone one that met Major League specifications. In spite of all of this, the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins treated 12,500 service members and their families to a once-in-a-lifetime experience on July 3, 2016. Before it could happen, our team of architects and event specialists had to design a temporary game day environment unlike any other from the ground up.
INNOVATION. The most populated military installation in the world, Fort Bragg takes up plenty of space — 251 square miles covering four counties to be exact. So, when Major League Baseball and its Players Association set their sights on bringing a regular season game to the base, the challenge quickly became logistical. Where — and how — do you erect a one-time professional ballpark in the middle of a military base?
As an abandoned golf course emerged as a prime candidate, our team got to work fleshing out all the facilities that would be needed to house a big league game. From the seating bowl to support spaces for IT, media and the like, every aspect of a ballpark was designed with intention — and at a brisk pace. Within months of the idea being hatched, we had created an initial design.
IMPACT. The fact that construction came together in the span of roughly four months is a testament to all the involved parties sharing a common purpose: honoring our service men and women. Having worked with Major League Baseball on the previous 15 All-Star Games only added to the chemistry. In the end, Fort Bragg’s finest enjoyed an Independence Day celebration like no other. The ballpark has since been dismantled, but the MLB-quality field still remains for the de facto city of 250,000 to enjoy and re-live its Major League moment.
This is the best venue I’ve ever played in. I’ve played in Yankee Stadium, in the playoffs. There is nothing like tonight.
Don Mattingly / Miami Marlins Manager
Awards
- 2016
- Ballpark of the Year | BaseballParks.com
