TD Bank Ballpark

TD Bank Ballpark

The Jewel of the Atlantic League
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Former names	Somerset Ballpark (1999) Commerce Bank Ballpark (2000–2008)
Location	860 East Main Street Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Owner	Somerset County Improvement Authority
Operator	Somerset Patriots
Capacity	6,100 with Standing room admission that can bring attendance to 8,500.
Field size	Left Field: 317 feet (97 m) Center Field: 402 feet (123 m) Right Field: 315 feet (96 m)
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	June 7, 1999
Construction cost	$18 million
Architect	Hintz and SSP Architecture
Tenants
Somerset Patriots (ALPB) (1999–present) New Jersey Pride (MLL) (2002–2003) New Jersey Fire (PC) (2004) Sky Blue FC (WPS) (2009 – two games)

TD Bank Ballpark is a 6,100-seat baseball park in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey that is the home of the Somerset Patriots, who play in the Atlantic League of Professional baseball. The ballpark hosts 70 Patriots games plus some playoff games and other high school and corporate events each year. The ballpark is centrally located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey.

TD Bank Ballpark is named for TD Bank, N.A., which purchased Commerce Bancorp in 2009. Formerly called Commerce Bank Ballpark, the original naming rights were sold to the institution in July 2000. The stadium was originally known as Somerset Ballpark. Its first regular season baseball game was held on June 7, 1999. It was designed by Clark Caton Hintz and SSP Architecture and built by Epic Construction.

History

TD Bank Ballpark was opened by former New Jersey governor, Christine Todd Whitman, and other New Jersey officials on June 7, 1999.

TD Bank Ballpark is also the home of the Somerset County Baseball Tournament and was the home of the Big East Baseball Championship. In the off-season, the ballpark was the site of the Big Apple Circus, and other big events. In 2004, the New Jersey Fire of Pro Cricket played their only season of existence at TD Bank Ballpark.

In 2000, TD Bank Ballpark hosted the Atlantic League All-Star game, with a crowd of 7,035. The venue also hosted the 2008 All-Star game on July 16, breaking both the All-Star Game and ballpark attendance records with 8,290 fans. Famous billionaire Donald Trump threw the first pitch of the game.

Ballpark attractions

TD Bank Ballpark includes 6,100 fixed seats and additional lawn seating, by the Patriots' bullpen. Additional options include a series of hospitality suites, the Diamond Club, for company meetings and special catering services, the Party Deck for company outings or other special occasions, and a picnic area that can accommodate a group of 30 to 350 fans. Parking is $2 and has remained that way since the existence of the ballpark in June, 1999.

Concessions at TD Bank Ballpark include traditional ballpark fare, health food. Our Food & Beverage provider is managed by Centerplate. The Patriots Team Store, located at the main gate, is the Somerset Patriots' official merchandise and souvenir store.

Concerts

TD Bank Ballpark has hosted four major concerts, including traditional pop and jazz musician Tony Bennett, country music artist Willie Nelson, pop music star Jessica Simpson, and a 50's festival including The Teenagers, The Duprees, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry.

See also

• Bridgewater (NJT station), which is located adjacent to TD Bank Ballpark and uses the stadium's White Lot for commuter parking
• TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
• TD Bank Sports Center (Hamden, Connecticut)
• TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (Nebraska)
• TD Arena (Charleston, South Carolina)

External links

• TD Bank Ballpark
• Ballpark Reviews - TD Bank Ballpark
• Minor League Parks - TD Bank Ballpark