Author: Don Muret

Sources: Diamondbacks Have Picked HKS

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ lease at Chase Field runs through 2027, but they can leave as early as 2022 without penalty. (Getty Images) Architect was selected in past few months to develop new ballpark The Arizona Diamondbacks are quietly advancing their plans to develop a new ballpark. They’ve selected HKS, the architect that designed their spring training facility, to plan a stadium to replace Phoenix’s Chase Field, sources said. The decision to go with HKS was made in the past few months after interviews with multiple sports design firms, according to sources familiar with the process. It’s unclear whether the two entities have a signed contract. Derrick Hall, president of the MLB Diamondbacks, and Bryan Trubey, an HKS principal and executive vice president, did not return emails and texts for comment.   The Diamondbacks have been going through the steps for ballpark development after reaching an agreement with Maricopa County a… Continue Reading Sources: Diamondbacks Have Picked HKS

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Wichita Weighs Extending Netting at Ballpark

A rendering shows the minor league ballpark being built in Wichita, Kan., where protective netting may stretch to the foul poles. (Courtesy DLR Group) Designer DLR Group ready with changes after foul ball strikes girl at Astros game Developers of a new Triple-A ballpark in Wichita could expand protecting netting to the outfield foul poles after a young girl was hospitalized after being struck by a foul ball at a Houston Astros game. DLR Group, design consultant for the $75 million facility opening in April, has made preliminary changes to its blueprints after project officials sent the firm an email hours after the May 29 incident at Minute Maid Park. “They’re thinking of revisiting it,” said Tom Tingle, DLR Group’s client leader in Kansas City. To this point, no decision has been made to extend netting, Tingle said,. The ballpark development team is expected to address the issue at its next… Continue Reading Wichita Weighs Extending Netting at Ballpark

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HKS Architect Jerry Fawcett Dies

Jerry Fawcett, whose work included Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, and Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, Calif., died May 29 in Dallas. Texan made mark in colleges and baseball, the sport that held his heart Jerry Fawcett, a sports architect Texas born and bred who is credited with launching the college practice at HKS and solidifying its minor league baseball group, died May 29 in Dallas. He was 71. “Jerry was a true Southern gentleman and a real professional,” said Byron Chambers, a principal and design director at Populous. Chambers worked with Fawcett at HKS before joining Gensler to start a design studio in Dallas with Fawcett and Jonathan Kelly in 2014. Fawcett rejoined HKS in 2018 and worked there until his death. His colleagues described Fawcett as sincere, caring and a man of deep faith. He was also a huge baseball fan who absorbed himself in the game,… Continue Reading HKS Architect Jerry Fawcett Dies

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Generation Next: Mike Melisi

Aramark’s General Manager for Fenway Park, Boston  Aramark executive Mike Melisi has been a fixture at Fenway Park for 13 years, ever since he was hired on the spot as an intern in the company’s finance department. Melisi, 33, now serves as the concessionaire’s general manager at the historic ballpark, home of the Boston Red Sox. It’s a position he has held since midway through the 2017 season after being promoted from senior controller. It all started in the spring of 2006. Marco DePalma, a friend and Suffolk University student (now a police officer), had just landed an operations internship with Aramark. DePalma contacted Melisi and gave him a tip that the food vendor had a finance internship to fill over the summer.  “On his first day, he called me and said if I could make it down to Fenway within an hour I’d have the job,” Melisi said. “I… Continue Reading Generation Next: Mike Melisi

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Generation Next: David Garcia

Vice President of Guest Experience, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena David Garcia leaned on his personal Disney experience to help transform the culture for three big league teams in his hometown of Atlanta.  In his role as vice president of guest experience for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, Garcia touches all aspects of event operations after the NBA team combined its premium and guest services departments into one group under Hawks owner Tony Ressler.  The Hawks hired Garcia after he spent about three years as director of fan experience for AMB Sports & Entertainment, parent company of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC of MLS, and operator of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For Garcia, 33, the common thread for both positions was The Walt Disney Co., where he took a job out of college as a financial analyst in Orlando. Over the past 20 years, multiple teams have… Continue Reading Generation Next: David Garcia

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