Home sweet home games finally a reality for Lake Co. baseball team
It's not the field of dreams baseball fans likely were hoping for, but Zion's new independent league diamond will host its first game Friday.
The Lake County Fielders will take on the Gary SouthShore RailCats in the home-field debut, which is set to start at 4:45 p.m.
The game is scheduled for an unusual time because the park doesn't yet have lights. Until lights are installed, home games previously scheduled for 6 or 7 p.m. will begin earlier.
The as-of-yet-unnamed field on the northeast corner of Green Bay Road and Route 173 doesn't have traditional stadium seating, either. Fans will watch the action from portable bleachers.
"Obviously it's not what we had really planned for, but we're doing the best we can with what we have," said Rachel Wright, the Fielders' media relations manager.
Team officials promise food and beverage stands will be ready for Friday's game.
As for the field itself, sod that was installed in the outfield and infield within the past week or so will be ready for play on Friday, Wright said.
Wright is confident the grass will be secure and safe for the players.
"The Bears lay sod in between games," she said.
The Fielders, who started in the independent Northern League this season, have been playing their home games at Carthage College in Kenosha.
The team was supposed to play on a 55-acre site near Ninth Street and Green Bay Road in Zion, but construction never began and those plans shifted to the current location in April.
Construction of a permanent stadium for the Fielders won't begin until after the team's season ends in September.
A Chicago band called the Walk-Ins will perform after the game, and a fireworks show will follow the concert. Both events are free to ticketholders.
About 3,500 tickets have been sold for Friday's game. The team expects 5,000 fans will attend.
Parking will be available near the field and in a 1,200-spot lot about a block north on Green Bay Road. The fee is $2 or $5, depending on location.
General-admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at fieldersbaseball.com or by calling (847) 731-8000.