Hillsboro Ballpark Named Ron Tonkin Field

Hillsboro, Oregon - The City of Hillsboro has reached a naming rights agreement with the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships to rename Hillsboro Ballpark in honor of Ron Tonkin. The Hillsboro Ballpark is now Ron Tonkin Field.

Near home plate, Ed and Brad Tonkin, family spokesmen and K.L. Wombacher, Executive Vice President of the Hillsboro Hops stood beside Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey as he made the announcement earlier today. "The City of Hillsboro is delighted that we have reached a ten-year agreement with the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships to rename Hillsboro Ballpark, Ron Tonkin Field," said Mayor Jerry Willey. "We're very proud of our ballpark and excited to have the Tonkin family become part of our family."

In a touching tribute to their father, the Tonkins reminisced and shared why the naming of the ballpark is important to their family. "My family's love of baseball was influenced by our dad. He loved baseball and often spoke of growing up watching baseball as a kid on Vaughan Street. The thought of losing the Portland Beavers and losing baseball in Portland in the early 80's troubled him so much he got a group together to buy the Beavers to keep baseball in our city," commented Ed Tonkin. "Naming this field in his honor is really a tribute to him and to all of the great times our family shared at the ballpark. My hope is that generations of area families can continue to keep catching fly balls, eating too many hot dogs and making wonderful family memories like we did."

"As with any naming rights partner, it's important to find an authentic fit," said K.L. Wombacher, Hillsboro Hops Executive Vice President and General Manager. "We feel we have done that with the Tonkin family. Ed and Brad Tonkin are first class individuals and we are excited to work with them to create a lasting legacy for their father Ron, who had a passion for both our community and baseball."

The ten year naming rights agreement is between the City of Hillsboro and the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships. In the agreement, the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships will pay the City $150,000 per year. In exchange, a new illuminated sign will be affixed to the roof of the ballpark; the scoreboard will be updated as well as directional signage throughout Hillsboro. The physical transformation of the renamed ballpark will begin immediately so it's ready for the Hillsboro Hops Opening Day on June 18.

About Ron Tonkin Field:

Opened in June 2013, Ron Tonkin Field is a flexible, 4,500-capacity multi-purpose facility with all-weather turf that is used to host a variety of events. The Field is located at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, Hillsboro's premier outdoor recreation center. Ron Tonkin Field is the official home of the Hillsboro Hops, the Single-A baseball affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. Gordon Faber Recreation Complex is owned and operated by Hillsboro Parks & Recreation.