Blue Wahoos Partnership With City Of Pensacola Ensures Long-Term Future

The Blue Wahoos lease agreement renewal with the city of Pensacola, announced Monday, helps ensure the baseball team’s long term future and its continued year-round impact in the region.

Pensacola mayor Grover Robinson announced the renewal of two, five-year terms, during his weekly news conference Monday with area media members.

"The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are such an integral part of Community Maritime Park and downtown Pensacola, and I'm thrilled that they have decided to stay in Pensacola for another 10 years," Robinson said. "We are so fortunate to have Minor League Baseball here in the City of Pensacola, offering opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy a beloved American pastime while experiencing Pensacola's beautiful waterfront views.

“I look forward to enjoying many more Wahoos games over the next decade."

Since the Blue Wahoos inaugural season in 2012, the team has sought to provide family-friendly entertainment through its six-month, home baseball schedule, along with a wide variety of community events throughout each year.

The stadium has also transformed as a venue for sporting other events. It has been the home field for the University of West Florida football during its historic start during the past five years, helping the Argos’ rise as 2019 NCAA Division II national champions.

“We are very appreciative to the fans that are so supportive of Blue Wahoos Stadium and our team,” said Blue Wahoos co-owner Quint Studer. “What was uninhabitable land not too long ago is now a cornerstone in the revitalization of Pensacola.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue to provide affordable family-friendly fun in downtown Pensacola for the next decade.”

Entering its 10th season, Blue Wahoos Stadium has received acclaim as one of the premier facilities in Minor League Baseball.

The stadium is a two-time recipient of Ballpark Digest’s Best Double-A ballpark and four-time winner of the Southern League Ballpark of the Year. More than 2.5 million have attended games in the nine baseball seasons.

At the beginning of 2021, the Blue Wahoos signed a 10-year Player Development License agreement with the Miami Marlins to be directly connected to Major League Baseball as the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate.

Before the 2022 season begins in April, the ballpark will undergo significant changes. A synthetic turf surface will be installed to match the same one used by the Marlins at the LoanDepot Park. The same surface was installed at the Beloit Snappers new ABC Supply Stadium.

The Snappers are the Marlins’ High-A affiliate and owned by Quint and Rishy Studer.

In addition, Blue Wahoos Stadium will remove both bullpen areas from foul lines and relocate the bullpens adjacently beyond the left-center walls. The stadium is also going to have new LED lighting installed to further enhance the playing field and meet requirements set by MLB for minor league teams.

The license agreement with Major League Baseball includes the responsibility for upgrades.

“We’re very thankful for the first ten years at Blue Wahoos Stadium and looking forward to the next ten,” Studer said. “Over the last year, there has been intense competition nationwide to be one of the just 120 communities that gets to host affiliated Minor League Baseball, and having a great facility like Blue Wahoos Stadium is key.

“Due to the vision of Mayor Robinson and the support of the City Council, we’ve been able to find solutions to ensure our community’s ballpark meets the facility requirements to remain affiliated, including improving the playing surface, the lighting, and the netting. We are very thankful for our community’s support and the support of Major and Minor League Baseball and the Miami Marlins.”