River Cats keep things fresh with 2016 renovations

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - The River Cats are eager to unveil a number of exciting renovations and additions to Raley Field for the 2016 baseball season.

The largest change taking place at Raley Field is perhaps also the most subtle, and one that many fans may overlook on Opening Day. Over the course of two weeks, the entire field - sod, dirt, and sand - has been ripped up and replaced. The makeover includes over 400 combined tons of dirt and sand and 105,000 square feet of new sod. Installation of the sod - the last step of the process - was completed in early February and the field is game-ready for the high school and college baseball season starting at Raley Field this week. The last time Raley Field experienced a makeover of this extent came during the 2012-13 offseason.

See the transformation for yourself right here: Raley Field Transformation Slider

In addition to fresh turf, fans can also expect a brand new, state-of-the art LED video board to be installed above the left field wall by local Rancho Cordova company, D3 LED. The 8' by 120' video board will run along the face of the batting cage and clubhouses, replacing the two boards currently in place. The new ribbon features video capabilities equal to, and in some cases beyond, those of Cat Vision, the main centerfield video board. With this addition, the River Cats can provide fans with even more information and entertainment than ever before.

Also taking place this offseason, Raley Field has partnered with sunworks, a Roseville-based solar company, to install 472 solar modules and five SMA inverters. These SunPower solar panels, which are placed on top of both the home and visitor clubhouses and along the main roof, will generate over 247,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) - nearly 20% of the stadium's total energy usage - during the first year alone.

The Kids Corner at Raley Field is also switching things up this offseason, including a location and name change. Now located behind the grass hill in right field and known as "Down on the Farm" presented by Sacramento Credit Union, the new and expanded area will house the traditional bounce houses as well as feature an all-new whiffle ball field. In turn, the barbecue area will move to the former Kids Corner area and be redone, featuring new tables and amenities, a full tent, and a brand new name: Sactown Smokehouse. The space will be available for private parties pregame and open during all home games. A new concessions space will also be added, where Spectra will be offering hot and fresh barbecue choices.

Barbecue isn't the only new item on the menu, either, as Spectra will be introducing other new food items to Raley Field and River Cats fans. A spicy jalapeño burger, a bacon-wrapped hot dog, and more will now join the famous donut bacon cheeseburger and other traditional ballpark concessions at all River Cats games.

The River Cats will first take the field this spring on March 30 when they host the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants in a preseason Exhibition Game. The regular season home opener is Friday, April 15, when the River Cats will welcome the Salt Lake Bees to Sacramento.

Season ticket packages are currently on sale and single-game tickets will become available at the River Cats Preseason Party, scheduled for Sunday, March 6 at 12 noon. For more information, visit www.rivercats.com or call the River Cats Ticket hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487).

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2016 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.