Melaleuca Field Welcomes One Millionth Fan

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IDAHO FALLS, I.D.--- Professional baseball has been played in Idaho Falls, Idaho continuously since 1946. In just the 11th season of Melaleuca Field (the third ballpark in that 70+ year span), the Chukars welcomed the one millionth fan in the history of this Pioneer League park on Monday August 14, 2017 against the Billings Mustangs.
In 2004 (the first year that the Chukars were affiliated with the Kansas City Royals), the old stadium, McDermott Field, was viewed as outdated, dilapidated and unsuitable for the baseball fans of Eastern Idaho and even Western Wyoming. In May of 2004, Chukars' general manager Kevin Greene and his staff addressed the City of Idaho Falls about the possibility of a major renovation to the ballpark. At the time, the estimated cost was $4.00 million. 
The City of Idaho Falls agreed to contribute $2.4 million towards the renovation. With more funds needed to complete the project, the Chukars created a "Step Up to the Plate" fundraising campaign, which raised the additional $1.00 million that were necessary.
Melaleuca, Inc. was the last piece of the fundraising puzzle. The multi-level marketing company based in Idaho Falls (headed by billionaire founder/CEO, Frank VanderSloot), granted a donation of $600,000 for the naming rights and to contribute towards project. In turn, the stadium was named Melaleuca Field. The Chukars had raised the $4.00 million that was deemed necessary to create the new park. However, as a few years passed by, the cost of construction rose.
While the ballpark was supposed to be completed with $4.00 million in funding, the Chukars were still short on capital and needed some additional assistance to turn the dream of a new field into a reality. In 2006, the estimated cost of a new ballpark was $5.6 million due to increasing costs of concrete and steel. That's when team owner Dave Elmore stepped in and agreed to finance all stadium cost overruns (donated $1.6 million of his own money to complete the project). 
On October 30, 2006, McDermott Stadium was demolished. Melaleuca Field uses the same playing surface, but the rest of the ballpark is different than the previous venue. The stadium was renamed and dedicated as Melaleuca Field on June 22, 2007, the first day that the gates opened to the public for a Chukars game. On Monday night, the Chukars welcomed their one millionth fan, a major milestone for the Eastern Idaho community.
"It seems like yesterday that Melaleuca Field first opened," said Chukars President and General Manager Kevin Greene, in his 25th season with that position. "Now less than 11 years later, we had the pleasure of welcoming Holli Ritchie as our one millionth fan. It couldn't have happened to a nicer person." 
Holli Ritchie of Idaho Falls, the one millionth fan, won a large prize pack. It includes season-tickets for 2018, autographed memorobilia, team apparel, a guest appearance on a Chukars radio broadcast on KSPZ, a celebratory cake and more. She will throw out the first pitch before the Chukars game against the Mustangs on Tuesday August 15th. 
"It was very surprising," said Ritchie. "It was probably one of the best prizes my family could receive because we love coming to Chukars games. I am very grateful for this." 
Melaleuca Field is the second youngest ballpark in the Pioneer League behind Dehler Park in Billings, which opened a year later in 2008. The stadium features eight luxury boxes, two large concessions stands, a hot tub down the right field line and a seating capacity of 3,400. The Chukars consistently average in the top three for attendance in the Pioneer League each season. 
Darrell Miller, Sr., a former MLB catcher who started his career with the Idaho Falls Angels in 1979, was in attendance on Monday night. He was there to watch his son, Pioneer League all-star Darrell Miller, Jr., who begins his professional career with the Idaho Falls Chukars in 2017.
"The field looks the same except for the beautiful scoreboard and all of the bells and whistles," said Miller, Sr. to John Balginy on the KSPZ (ESPN Radio) broadcast. "The lights are a heck of a lot better. You can see now. It was a great place to start."
Darrell Miller, Sr. continued, speaking highly of the fans that made this feat a reality. 
"What I remember the most is the people," said Miller, Sr. "I was shocked by how beautiful the country was and how beautiful the people were. They were very kind and considerate. They took all of us in and made us feel like we were somebody and right at home...I listen to the fans and they understand the game. They understand who can play and who is struggling. There are some really loyal fans here and I've ran into a lot of them. Baseball is important to Idaho Falls and that was a really good feeling as a player to perform in front of people who cared."
John Balginy has broadcasted Chukars games on the radio since 1985 (33rd season). He says that this milestone says a lot about the community.
"It goes to show you how much Eastern Idaho supports baseball," said Balginy. "They love the Chukars whether they are in first or last. Kevin Greene does a great job getting promotions and bringing out various groups for all home games. It's fun to come to the ballpark with a large, energetic crowd each night."
Idaho Falls has 13 home games remaining in the regular season out of a 38-game home schedule. The Chukars host large groups and companies at all of their games and are very active within the community. After each home game, children are able to run the bases.
"Minor League Baseball is all about creating memories with family and friends," said Greene. "This is a memory we will all enjoy for a long time."