Appalachian Power Park

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Appalachian Power Park
nickname =


fullname =
location = 601 Morris Street
Suite 201
Charleston, WV 25301
United States
coordinates =
broke_ground =
built =
opened = April 14, 2005
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Charleston, West Virginia
operator =
surface = grass
construction_cost = $23 million
architect =
structural engineer =
services engineer =
general_contractor=
project_manager =
main_contractors =
former_names =
tenants = West Virginia Power (SAL) (2005-present)
seating_capacity = 6,200
dimensions =Left Field: 330 ft (101 m)
Center Field: 400 ft (122 m)
Right Field: 320 ft (98 m)

Appalachian Power Park is the current home field for the West Virginia Power, a minor league baseball team in the South Atlantic League which are a Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. It also serves as one of two home fields for the baseball programs of both Marshall University and the University of Charleston. The stadium, which opened in April 2005, is located in the East End of Charleston, West Virginia, just outside the city's downtown in the east end. It seats 6,200 fans and cost 23 million dollars to build. The dimensions of the field are as follows: left field - 330 feet, center field - 400 feet, right field - 320 feet.

Additionally, the park hosts the West Virginia state high school baseball championships. It is also the home field for Marshall conference games, because the school does not have an adequate baseball facility on its campus located 50 miles away in Huntington, West Virginia. It plays its non-conference games on campus. The stadium has also hosted concerts, boxing matches, and shown television coverage of college football games on its scoreboard.

The naming rights were purchased by Appalachian Power, the West Virginia and southwest Virginia operating unit of American Electric Power.

In the ballpark's inaugural season, a Charleston baseball record 10,400 fans showed up on "Buck Night"

tadium features

The ballpark features an authentic locomotive horn donated by Norfolk Southern Corporation, whose tracks run adjacent to the park, coincidentally continuing the atmosphere of predecessor Watt Powell Park. The horn was refurbished in 2005 by employees of Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop in Juniata, Pennsylvania at the request of Assistant Division Superintendent Joe Maynard of Williamson, West Virginia.

One unique feature of the park is an electrical outlet located in the backstop behind home plate. This was added to accommodate local businessman Rod Blackstone, nicknamed the "Toast Man," who has become one of the most famous fans in minor league baseball. Blackstone brings numerous signs to urge the team on, and regularly leads the crowd in family-friendly cheers. He is most famous for bringing bread and a toaster to games, which he had done for years for the Power's predecessors. When a Power pitcher strikes out a batter, he yells "You are toast!" and then tosses slices of fresh toast into the seats around him. There is also a special section behind third base known as "Rowdy Alley".

The stadium features a year round restaurant called the "Power Alley Bar and Grill" that features unique food items, indoor and outside seating, a full size bar, and even pictures and memorabilia from Watt Powell Park and former famous players.

In 2007, a party deck was built near the right field foul pole that can accommodate 250 people. An upgrade to a normal game ticket can be purchased for $20, allowing access to the Party Deck, which features all-you-can-eat hot dogs, nachos and other "baseball food," as well as unlimited drinks. Naming rights for the party deck were recently acquired by Anheuser-Busch, and as of the 2008 season, this area is now known as the "Landshark Lagoon"

Also in 2007, the Charleston Baseball Wall of Fame made its debut, located behind the home plate press box. So far, "Wheeler" Bob (longtime Wheelers/Alley Cats/Power program & souvenir merchant), Rod "Toast Man" Blackstone, and Dave Parker have had the honor of being inducted onto the Wall.

In 2008,parts of The Worlds strongest man competition was held at the stadium.

References

* [http://www.wvpower.com/appalachianpowerpark/default.aspx Official stadium website]
* [http://www.baseballparks.com/WestVa.asp Review at baseballparks.com]
* [http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2005/Charleston_West_New/Charleston_West_New.htm Appalachian Power Park Views - "Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues"]