LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, to undergo multi-phase modernization construction project.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – For 30 years, LMCU Ballpark has hosted countless milestones and events that have left a lasting impression on the West Michigan community and the game of baseball. The home of the West Michigan Whitecaps has hosted more than 11 million fans, sent dozens of players to
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – For 30 years, LMCU Ballpark has hosted countless milestones and events that have left a lasting impression on the West Michigan community and the game of baseball. The home of the West Michigan Whitecaps has hosted more than 11 million fans, sent dozens of players to the Detroit Tigers, earned six Midwest League championships, and created hundreds of jobs to help drive the local economy.
Today, Whitecaps leadership announced that they are doubling down and embarking on a multi-year project that will reinvest in the next 30 years of Whitecaps baseball by reimagining what LMCU Ballpark can be for baseball, the community, and the local entertainment landscape.
Whitecaps management has worked with Detroit-based architecture firm ROSSETTI, a worldwide leader in the design of sports and entertainment facilities, for more than a year to develop plans to modernize LMCU Ballpark and cement it as a state-of-the-art facility that will entertain and embrace new generations of families, fans and players for years to come. West Michigan-based Erhardt Construction is the general contractor, and Progressive AE is assisting with several aspects of the project.
Joe Chamberlin, Whitecaps CEO and Managing Partner, said the construction project will ensure that LMCU Ballpark remains one of the best facilities in the nation.
“This ballpark is full of history, championships, and memories for so many West Michigan families, including my own,” said Chamberlin. “Our primary objective in leading this franchise has always been to ensure that we are growing our fan base and that we are preparing to meet the needs of the next generation of Whitecaps fans, just as we have done for fans over the last 30 years. Once complete, this project will deliver the venue that the “best minor league sports market in the country” deserves and will ensure that LMCU Ballpark remains a top tier facility, both locally and nationally, for Whitecaps games, concerts, and special events for decades to come.”
The project will be divided into phases, with Phase 1 construction work beginning in just a few months to be completed prior to Opening Day 2024. All phases of the project are expected to be fully completed in roughly five years, based on baseball schedules, construction timelines and securing needed support and required approvals for future phases from Plainfield Township. LMCU Ballpark is one of a small number of privately financed Minor League stadiums in the country. As such, Phase 1 and all future phases will rely on significant private investment along with targeted public support to reach completion.
“Bringing all phases of this project to completion is going to be a heavy lift for our organization and ownership group,” Chamberlin said. “We are incredibly confident that our track record of success will help us secure the community stakeholder support we will need from the township and other partners to make all future phases of this reimagine a reality for the West Michigan community.”
When all project elements are complete, the construction phases are designed so that the final product offers a cohesive look, as if all phases were completed together. ROSSETTI took inspiration for the overall design from familiar lakeshore and beach town mainstays such as boardwalks, dune and beach grass, exposed beams, and outdoor social gathering spaces.
Phase 1 work will begin in the spring of 2023 and will be completed prior to the Whitecaps’ 2024 season. This phase focuses on player-facing improvements, which are driven by facility standard requirements set by Major League Baseball, and group hospitality experiences. It includes industry-leading player amenities to better develop the next generation of Detroit Tigers, completely overhauling the player experience for future Whitecaps. Player-facing improvements include both the home and visitor clubhouses and the playing surface, in addition to the stadium lighting upgrade that was completed last fall.
- The third base side visitors’ clubhouse will be completely rebuilt and will become the home clubhouse, as the Whitecaps and visiting teams switch sides. The new home clubhouse will offer enhanced player spaces, larger weight room and training facilities, dedicated space for female coaching staff, and a state-of-the-art batting tunnel attached to the home clubhouse.
- The grass and infield playing surface will be fully replaced, including the drainage system. Bullpens will be moved behind the right field wall, and the outfield dimensions will be reconfigured to closely match the angles players will see when they reach the Major Leagues.
- Stadium lights were upgraded last fall to brighter, precisely focused LED lights with less glare and less light pollution. The new lights are capable of colored light shows synced to music for dramatic entertainment during and after games as well as special events.
Phase 1 will also completely revitalize the group hospitality experience at LMCU Ballpark with the construction of a new suite-level club space and expanded and upgraded group terraces on what is now the first and third base lawn areas.
- A brand-new suite-level club space will be built above the new batting tunnel at the end of the third base structure, accommodating 200 guests for use on gamedays as well as year-round for special events. The space includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a large balcony for outdoor viewing, various height table and chair clusters, and a bar space for food and beverage service. Its capacity is similar to that of the current Pepsi Stadium Club.
- Enlarged group space takes over the existing lawn slopes on both the first and third base sides, replacing the current hospitality areas down the lines. Several tiers of seating and gathering areas, from the concourse all the way down to field level, offer a variety of engagement opportunities and food service options for groups of 20 or more. These tiers offer a more cohesive look and feel while allowing flexibility for groups of all sizes to enjoy private areas. The third base side will feature four tiers, while the first base side includes three tiers and will adjoin the new bullpens.
- For increased fan safety, the netting will be extended beyond the ends of the dugouts, where it currently ends, and go from foul pole to foul pole.
Whitecaps President Steve McCarthy said strong demand for group hospitality spaces drove this portion of the construction plans.
“LMCU Ballpark continues to be a popular destination for summer outings and social gatherings,” McCarthy said. “The additional hospitality spaces will allow us to accommodate even more groups and provide more unique offerings than ever before. Each space will have its own character and distinctive seating layout, including ample space for casual gathering.”
While the existing lawn areas will be replaced with the tiered hospitality areas, fans who enjoy viewing a Whitecaps game from the grass will still have that opportunity. A new lawn space will be created above the bullpens in the outfield, offering a view of both the game and the action in the bullpens below.
Fans attending games and events at LMCU Ballpark during the 2023 season will notice that the concourse third base barbeque area will be fenced off and closed to accommodate groundwork for Phase 1 construction.
Phase 2 will include construction projects in 2025 and beyond, building on LMCU Ballpark’s 30 years of history by completely overhauling the stadium and preparing it for a new generation of Whitecaps fans. Features of future projects include:
- A reimagined stadium entrance experience that offers a view of the baseball field straight ahead as fans reach the top of the steps.
- Exterior site activation for more entertainment options in the spaces outside the facility.
- Beautification of the facility’s 45 acres, all conforming to the beach theme.
- A fully reimagined and updated suite level with a home plate club area.
- An expanded concourse with new and improved food, entertainment and gathering options, including the construction of private outdoor suites for groups that prefer the great outdoors.
- A new CapSized Shop retail space and new ticket office.
- A new 360-degree concourse, modeled after a lakeshore style boardwalk, that allows fans to walk all the way around the field, enjoy gathering spaces in the outfield area and view the game from a number of different perspectives.
- A state-of-the-art 400-seat center field hospitality club and special events center, the ballpark’s largest space yet, that will provide a new level of gameday experience while also creating one of West Michigan’s most unique views for weddings, conferences, and other large scale special events.
Kirk Phillips, a ROSSETTI partner who led the project, said it was important to him to ensure that his firm’s vision would build upon an already outstanding professional facility.
“ROSSETTI is honored to partner with the Whitecaps organization to reimagine a West Michigan destination: LMCU Ballpark,” Phillips said. “These design renovations will enhance the experience for baseball fans and players alike, creating new social spaces and addressing player facilities to exceed MLB standards. When completed, the improved ballpark will surprise and delight this great community for many future seasons. It was important to us to go above and beyond when reimagining LMCU Ballpark because it is so well-known in the industry as a top-notch facility. We feel the improvements to this unique facility will be impressive at any professional level.”
Chamberlin echoed the excitement about the future of LMCU Ballpark.
“This venue has always been one of the best in Minor League Baseball, and we have maintained it incredibly well over the last 30 years,” Chamberlin said. “But there is nothing like a NEW ballpark, and that’s what we are committed to delivering to West Michigan. When this project is completed, LMCU Ballpark will look and feel like a brand-new facility ready to meet the needs of a new generation of fans. It’s going to be FUN to see how this community responds to work we have planned; I think they are going to love it.”
The Whitecaps are inviting fans to follow the progress of the project by visiting their dedicated stadium modernization webpage, https://www.milb.com/west-michigan/ballpark/modernizationproject.
The West Michigan Whitecaps’ 30th season opens on Thursday, April 6, with a 6:35 p.m. home game against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Multi-game ticket plans and group tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.whitecapsbaseball.com or by calling the Whitecaps at 616-784-4131. Individual game tickets will go on sale in the spring.
About West Michigan Whitecaps: The Whitecaps minor league baseball team was established in 1994. The Whitecaps are the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League. The team’s home games are played in West Michigan’s favorite, largest, outdoor, multi-purpose venue, LMCU Ballpark. For more information on Whitecaps and LMCU Ballpark visit whitecapsbaseball.com or contact Jim Jarecki atJimj@whitecapsbaseball.com.
Whitecaps Refresh Calaveras in 2025
2025 New Look 2025 marks the 6th year we will play as Las Calaveras de West Michigan, and we chose to revitalize our colors, jerseys, caps, and more to demonstrate our commitment to honoring the impact the Latin community has had on, not only the game of baseball, but all
Briceño Makes History in 14-1 Win
DAYTON, OH – In a feat that hasn’t occurred in Major League Baseball since at least 1901, Detroit Tigers Top-5 Prospect Josue Briceño etched his name in the record books as the first player to homer three times and record a steal of home plate in the same game as
Pacheco Helps ‘Caps Rally Again in Ten, 5-4
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps turned to a familiar face in third baseman Izaac Pacheco, whose 3-RBI performance culminated in a go-ahead RBI-single as part of a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,346 fans Wednesday at Day Air Ballpark. Coupled with a loss
Six-Run Fifth Sends ‘Caps to Victory
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps found themselves in a slugfest on Tuesday night as a six-run fifth inning highlighted a 12-7 win over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,320 fans at Day Air Ballpark. The Whitecaps hold their five-game lead over the Lansing Lugnuts in the Midwest
GATE TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR SATURDAY’S MAX CLARK BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY.
Due to rain outs earlier in the week, Saturday’s game is now a doubleheader with Game 1 starting at 6:05pm! That means NEW GATE TIMES for the Max Clark Bobblehead Giveaway. Gates will now open at 5:15pm (5:00pm for season ticket holders). This is 30-minutes earlier than previously scheduled, so
Pacheco Clubs First Ever Walk-Off Slam
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – West Michigan Whitecaps infielder Izaac Pacheco hit the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history as they stunned the Loons 5-2 in front of 6,100 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark. The 'Caps – who did not have a hit through the first seven innings of
Patrick Plays Hero in Doubleheader Split
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps managed just four base hits in a 4-0 shutout loss before Patrick Lee lifted a game-tying home run in the nightcap, allowing Bennett Lee to deliver a walk-off sacrifice fly as they stole the 4-3 win and a doubleheader split with the
'Caps Fall to Loons, 3-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Despite a strong showing by the West Michigan Whitecaps pitching staff, the offense couldn’t string hits together as the Great Lakes Loons rallied late in a 3-2 loss Friday evening at LMCU Ballpark. ‘Caps pitchers compiled 10 strikeouts while holding the Loons to 1-for-3 with runners
Clark is Grand in ‘Caps Doubleheader Sweep
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark blasted his first career High-A grand slam with the West Michigan Whitecaps as they completed a doubleheader sweep of the Great Lakes Loons by scores of 2-1 and 7-1 in front of 5,752 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark. Clark
Whitecaps, Loons Doubleheader Suspended
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — For the second straight day, the Whitecaps and Loons watched Mother Nature intervene as the teams played to a 1-1 tie through two and a half innings of their scheduled doubleheader before heavy rains suspended play Wednesday morning at LMCU Ballpark. The ‘Caps and Loons –
‘Caps, Loons Postponed; Will Play Two Wednesday
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The first game of the West Michigan Whitecaps six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons was postponed after steady rain throughout the day made field conditions unplayable Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. Constant rain moving through West Michigan beginning in the late morning hours continued throughout
Whitecaps Take Five of Six from TinCaps
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps saw a pair of rehabbing Detroit Tigers take the field for just the second time in franchise history, as pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long and outfielder Wenceel Perez helped pave the way to a 3-2 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of
‘Caps Clinch Series Win in Fort Wayne, 4-1
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps put forth another masterful pitching performance in a 4-1 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 7,602 fans at Parkview Field on Saturday night. Sears, who struck out a career-high seven batters in five scoreless frames, helped the Whitecaps clinch
‘Caps Double-Up Fort Wayne, 8-4
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed the services of a major league addition, as Detroit Tigers outfielder and four-year ‘Caps alum Wenceel Perez rejoined the club as part of an 8-4 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 5,859 fans at Parkview Field on Friday
Whitecaps Take Tough Loss, 9-8
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps made a mistake rarely seen in baseball, and it led to the loss of a five-run lead and a 9-8 loss to the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 4,562 fans on Thursday night at Parkview Field. Holding a 7-5 lead with
‘Caps Post Second Straight Shutout, 7-0
FORT WAYNE, IN – The more things change, the more they stay the same. In a contest that saw several parallels to the first game of their series, the West Michigan Whitecaps pulled off a second straight shutout in their 7-0 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Wednesday night
Whitecaps Wash Away Fort Wayne, 3-0
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed a cameo from a big leaguer while scrapping their way to a 3-0 shutout win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on a rain-soaked Tuesday night at Parkview Field. The evening began with Detroit Tigers pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long looking sharp with three
‘Caps Protect the House on Mother’s Day, 6-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps defended the best home-field advantage in all of baseball in a 6-2 win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 5,138 fans on a Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark. West Michigan is now 13-2 in the friendly confines of LMCU
‘Caps Go Nuts in 6-3 Win
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for four runs through the middle frames as the bullpen shut it down in a 6-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 7,302 fans Saturday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark. Whitecaps relievers Kenny Serwa and Jordan Marks kept Lansing at
Whitecaps Power Past Lugs, 7-6
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps put on a power display, adding eight extra-base hits in a 7-6 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 6,421 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark. Andrew Jenkins and Izaac Pacheco both had two doubles, Brett Callahan added a triple, and
Awe Nuts, 'Caps Fall 4-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps took an early lead but couldn’t capitalize on several offensive opportunities, falling to the Lansing Lugnuts 4-2 in front of 6,711 fans Thursday at LMCU Ballpark. Despite taking the lead on two runs in the second inning - West Michigan left eight
‘Caps Immaculate Win Streak Ends in 3-1 Loss
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps had their historic home win streak snapped as they couldn’t generate any offensive momentum in a 3-1 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts Wednesday evening at LMCU Ballpark. The ‘Caps – who rattled off a franchise record ten-straight home wins to begin the
Sears Speeds Through Lugnuts, 2-0
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before it was broken up as the bullpen held the Lansing Lugnuts to just two hits in a 2-0 shutout victory Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. ‘Caps starter Andrew Sears went five scoreless/hitless innings while
Whitecaps Settle for Split in Wisconsin
APPLETON, WI – The West Michigan Whitecaps took an early lead but were unable to hold on as part of a 7-3 loss to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field. The loss sends West Michigan back to Comstock Park with a 6-6 record during their 12-game