Lake County Fielder fans excited, but concerned about delays
The hundreds of folks who came to the Lake County Fielders' Fan Fest in Libertyville on Sunday snatched up souvenir caps and T-shirts.
They got autographs from players and gawked at artists' renderings for the county's first-ever professional baseball team.
Baseball fever was in the air.
But some expressed concern, if not doubt, the field will be ready in time for the first pitch on June 11.
Apart from the ceremonial dirt that was shoveled at the groundbreaking last November, no construction has been done at the Zion site. The only current evidence of the stadium is a sign saying "Future Home of the Lake County Fielders."
Fielders fan Joe Meriel of Lindenhurst has doubts the place can be built in just 110 days.
"I'm a big baseball fan and am excited about having a local team, but will really be disappointed if nothing happens," Meriel said. "Nothing has been done and opening day is just a few months away. It takes more than a few months to build a house, let alone a baseball stadium."
Fielders officials working the event Sunday at the Libertyville Sports Complex responded confidently to questions about construction deadlines. The topic came up during a question-and-answer session with fans.
"We've changed the layout and have cut 45 construction days off the schedule," said team spokeswoman Beth Alderson. "We'll be ready to go on June 11 and are excited to see how it will look. We will be ready to go."
The revised plan calls for a single-story structure at Green Bay Road and 9th Street in Zion's Trumpet Corporate Park. It would include all elements of the original design, such as suites, a party deck, banquet facility and concert stage.
An upper deck could be added onto the stadium in the future, under the revised plan. Zion officials had been touting a $15 million stadium with 4,000 permanent seats to be paid with state, city and private sources.
Stadium seating would remain at 4,000 in the revised plan, with total baseball capacity of 7,000 including lawn areas, the concert stage and party decks. Concert capacity would be 11,000, according to the Fielders.
Last week, Richard Ehrenreich, managing partner and president of Fielders parent company Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment in Deerfield, said a plan is in place to play home games at another Lake County site if the ballpark isn't ready in time, though he declined to identify the site.
Officials say delays in negotiating lease agreements have bogged down the progress.
Fans Mike and Karen Ballard of Grayslake said they hope things come together in time for the home opener, but are willing to watch the games wherever they're played.
"If they had to play somewhere else for awhile, that would be fine with us," Mike Ballard said. "We are huge baseball fans and are very excited to have a team right here in Lake County. Play at this level is more family friendly and accessible. We'll bring the grandkids."