Go 'Nuts at Oldsmobile Park

There's no doubt the Lansing Lugnuts are proud to feature the country's largest lugnut in their ballpark.

Oldsmobile Stadium, home to the Class A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, has a smokestack topped with a lugnut -- the park's most recognized feature -- behind its main grandstand.

"It's the one thing that stands out," said Seth Van Hoven, former director of media relations for Lansing. "It's just a big way of showing who we are and it's a fun, creative part of the park."

When the park opened in 1996, fans learned they didn't even need tickets to catch a full game. Oldsmobile Park stands 20 to 30 feet below street level so fans can watch the action while strolling through downtown Lansing.

Van Hoven said it was a part of the development plan to give the stadium a downtown-park feel. The idea of having it below street level added more appeal to draw fans to Olds.

With an 11,000 capacity, Oldsmobile Park is one of the largest Class A ballparks in the Minors. Using Camden Yards as a prototype, the city-owned stadium was completed in just one year by local contractors and publicly funded by six banking institutions.

When fans get to Olds, they'll notice its brick exterior which gives the park a retro look. Once inside, the open concourse overlooks the seating bowl and offers a panoramic view of the diamond. Twenty-six luxury suites on the upper level feature private dining and some of the best views of the on-field action.

"Several parks have followed suit," said Van Hoven. "Places like Peoria and Dayton have a lot of structural similarities to Oldsmobile. Fans like the open, fresh-air concourses where they can watch the game and enjoy the nice weather from." Aside from the open concourse, Oldsmobile also has Gasoline Alley, a party area behind left-center field. There is also a Bullpen Bar and Grill located down the third-base line, between the visitors bullpen and the third base coaches box.

Another gathering spot for fans is on Tailgate Terrace in right field. The open party deck is large enough to house 2,500 spectators.

Like most ballparks, Oldsmobile Park offers fans the chance to grab a blanket and watch the game from the grassy berms beyond the outfield.

Having the park in the heart of Lansing, said Van Hoven, has completely renovated the look of the area. New jobs, new businesses, new restaurants and new housing developments have been popping up around the ballpark.

With the Lugnuts' in the top four in attendance in the Midwest League since Oldsmobile Park opened its doors, the fan base has only shown signs of increasing this season.

"It's changed the landscape of the city," said Van Hoven. "We're in our 10th year, and it says so much that the fan base is going stronger and stronger."