TD Bank Ballpark

The Jewel of the Atlantic League
Former names	Somerset Ballpark (1999) Commerce Bank Ballpark (2000–2008)
Location	1 Cole Drive Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Opened	June 7, 1999
Owner	Somerset County Improvement Authority
Operator	Somerset Patriots
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	$18 million
Architect	Hintz and SSP Architecture
Capacity	6,100
Field dimensions	Left Field: 317 feet (97 m) Center Field: 402 feet (123 m) Right Field: 315 feet (96 m)
Tenants
Somerset Patriots (AL) (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 hosted its first regular season baseball game on June 7, 1999, as the tenants of the facility, the Somerset Patriots defeated the Newark Bears. It was designed by Clark Caton Hintz and SSP Architecture, and built by Epic Construction.

TD Bank Ballpark is named for TD Bank, N.A., which purchased Commerce Bancorp in 2007.^[1] 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.

[edit] History

TD Bank Ballpark was opened by former New Jersey governor, Christine Todd Whitman, and other New Jersey officials on June 7, 1999, with the Patriots defeating the Newark Bears. Since its inception, the ballpark has seen one of the highest attendance averages in the Atlantic League, second only to Citibank Park in Central Islip, New York.

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 the former home of the New Jersey State Fair. In 2004, the New Jersey Fire of Pro Cricket played their only season of existence at TD Bank Park.

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 16th, breaking both of the All-Star Game and ballpark attendance records with 8,290 fans. The famous billionaire, Donald Trump, threw the first pitch of the game.

[edit] Ballpark attractions

TD Bank Ballpark includes 6,100 fixed seats and additional lawn seating at the Turf Club, by the Patriots' bullpen. Additional options include a series of luxury suites, the Executive Party Deck for birthday parties or other special occasions, and a picnic area that can accommodate a group of 30 to 350 fans. Parking is $2.00 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. The Patriots Gift Shop, in the vicinity of the concessions, is the Somerset Patriots' official merchandise and souvenir store.^[2]

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Bridgewater (NJT station)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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

Coordinates: 40°33′38″N 74°33′11″W / 40.56056°N 74.55306°W / 40.56056; -74.55306