SPRINGFIELD – A new general manager is bringing several new amenities to Hamlin Sports Complex this summer.
The Springfield Drifters begin their fifth season in the West Coast League on Friday night at Bend. When they play their home opener against Yakima on Tuesday, fans will see new features at the ballpark.
“We are doing a lot of cool things this summer,” said Jake Willard, who was hired as GM in October. “The biggest thing we want to do is take the fan experience that people have known about and enhance it and elevate it. We are excited to have a good, meaningful fan experience and quality baseball. We have added things that will supplement the experience that fans have come to know.”
The Drifters have built a Kids Zone on the grass field just east of their home stadium. There are three giant inflatables in the zone that feature a slide, obstacle course, and race challenge as well as a speed-pitch machine.
“We are excited about that addition for kids, which is a target audience because those 12 and under get in free if they join our Kids Club, which is free,” Willard said.
For those 21 and over, a new beer garden has been set up on the first-base line featuring beverages from local breweries including Oakshire and 2 Towns Ciderhouse.
“We know the first-base area near the bullpen is where a lot of our fans enjoy congregating for games,” Willard said. “We will have more taps than we have ever had at the ballpark and more variety of craft beers and ciders to shore up the fan experience. We know people love beer and baseball so we will give them good options and support local breweries.”
The food menu will remain the same, including prices.
“We pride ourselves on affordable family pricing around tickets, beverages and the menu so we want to be sure to keep the same pricing for concessions,” Willard said. “A family of four can come to a game or just a general fan who loves baseball games and it will be as affordable as possible. We want to build off the momentum we have had and maintain the pricing.”
Once again, Springfield will host three fireworks nights throughout the season, including July 2, and June 19 will be the first drone show at the stadium.
The Drifters will offer two bobblehead nights for the first time, including one of the mascot Rapid on July 11 to celebrate his birthday with other local mascots. The second bobblehead will be of a Drifters player to be announced later.
General admission tickets are $9 for most games, but more for fireworks and bobblehead nights. Season tickets are also available as well as five- and 10-game packages.
Springfield’s first homestand runs June 2-7 as it begins a 29-game home schedule. The Drifters will play 56 total games in the college wood-bat league.
Opening Night is Springfield Night and Magnet Schedule Giveaway as fans can bring three cans of food for Food For Lane County to receive a free hot dog and a slew of local organizations will have booths set up.
The opening homestand also includes Little League Night, Fishing Night, Knock Cancer out of the Park, a fireworks show on June 6 and Touch-A-Truck.
Coach Jeff Lyle returns for a second season as he looks to lead Springfield to the playoffs for the first time. The Drifters have a host of returning players including second baseman Cooper Mullens, a Marist graduate who plays at Michigan, and Nolan Miller, a first baseman/outfielder who plays at the University of Portland.
“We are feeling a lot of love and support from the community when we are out wearing our gear and people tell us that they are excited to check out a game,” Willard said. “We feel that excitement and we are hoping to deliver the best season of baseball for the players and fans. Coach Lyle has done a great job on the roster bringing in players and we are excited to get to the ballpark and show our fans a good time providing entertainment for Springfield and greater Lane County. We can’t wait to welcome folks in on June 2nd.”
