Lake County minor league Fielders starting in Kenosha

Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., will host the Lake County Fielders' first 15 minor-league baseball home games because a planned facility in Zion isn't ready, the team announced Friday.

Plans call for the Fielders to play the Gary SouthShore Rail Cats in their June 11 home opener at Carthage's baseball diamond. The Fielders have been on the road since starting the independent Northern League season May 20.

Carthage's online baseball media guide for the 2010 season states its field has seating for 372 fans. The guide says future plans call for installation of lights, a press box, concession stand, storage areas and a plaza-type entrance.

Carthage College Athletics Director Robert Bonn and sports spokesman Steve Marovich didn't return messages for comment Friday. The June home schedule for the Fielders at Carthage amounts to 15 games.

Although the Fielders announced they intend to begin home games July 2 at a planned stadium site at Route 173 and Green Bay Road in Zion - complete with fireworks and entertainment - Mayor Lane Harrison wasn't as specific.

Harrison said he's "hopeful" games will begin in his city sometime in July.

About 6,000 temporary fold-down seats, portable suites, three party decks, permanent field lighting, mobile restroom facilities and a children's play area are planned for the Zion property, according to the city.

Zion received about $1.3 million in state taxpayers' money that can be used for permanent elements at the stadium site, such as field lighting, with private cash covering the rest, officials said. The stadium would be leased by Zion and not taxed.

Harrison said necessary revenue streams must be in place for the baseball field to take shape.

"All of the pieces of the revenue puzzle are not yet in our hand," said Harrison, who declined to discuss specifics.

Construction of a permanent stadium in Zion is supposed to begin when the Fielders' 100-game season ends in September. A total cost of the ballpark is not yet available.

Roughly 40,000 square feet of retail development and a movie theater incorporated into the ballpark would be on the tax rolls, officials said. Plans call for a year-round restaurant and a banquet facility to be part of the stadium.

Fielders games at Carthage College will cost $5 for adults, with no charge for children 12 and younger, the team announced Friday.

Along with attending the contests at Carthage, the Fielders say season ticketholders will receive a 2010 Northern League pass that'll allow them into any of the loop's games without charge.

Originally, the Fielders' stadium was pegged for a 55-acre former landfill site near Ninth Street and Green Bay Road in Zion. Plans called for a $15 million 4,000-seat stadium with amenities such as suites, party decks, concert stage and lawn area for 3,000 fans.