Gwinnett Braves’ stadium taking shape quickly

The grass doesn’t go in at the new Gwinnett Braves ballpark until March 2. About two-thirds of the game-day staff had yet to be hired as of last week. And pitching prospect Tommy Hanson, a potential Gwinnett Brave, is just getting warmed up in spring training.

But an image of what a night at a Gwinnett Braves game will be like for fans is starting to emerge, thanks to some insight from Gwinnett Braves general manager Bruce Baldwin.

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Gwinnett Braves

The stadium is expected to be finished for opening day, April 17. The grass goes in March 2.

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Whether fans take in a game from the grassy berm in right field, one of 22 suites, or among 7,000 folks in the stands, they can stretch their legs by walking around the entire ballpark, a rare feature in a minor league park.

“You could stand in left field up high and look down in the bullpen, on the left fielder, catch a home run ball or you can be sitting on the grassy berm in right field and peer into the left field bullpen and catch a home run ball,” Baldwin said.

Fans can catch the action from most any point along the way, including a playground area beyond right field. In addition to the “Speed Pitch” and “Moonwalk” games, mom or dad can take children to “Playland,” an area with swings and slides, and still catch the game out of the corner of their eye.

The same Little League team of the night that escorts players onto the field during the pre-game will picnic on a deck down the left field line.

Fans can take in replays and highlights on a 30-by-40 foot video matrix board.

They can munch on hotdogs, peanuts and the usual baseball fare, or eat Mexican food, take in a beverage at a sports bar, or load up on a barbecue. Groups can rent out an area near the left field foul pole for picnics, with high-topped tables.

Other than the open-air concourses and familiar blue seats with drink-holders, the only point designers made to mimic Turner Field was in the dimensions of the field. The field in Gwinnett will be 335 feet down the left field line, 330 down the right field line, and 400 to straightaway center, just like at Turner Field. The Braves want to acclimate their minor leaguers to what they’ll see at the major league level.

As for what wacky promotions to expect — on-the-spot haircuts, dizzy bat races, etc. — Baldwin said fans will have to wait and see.

One thing he said they shouldn’t wonder about is whether the ballpark will be finished in time. He said this week it was about 80 percent complete.

It’s been a feverish process, with a crew of 500 workers going from dawn to dusk, building a ballpark in 12 months to move the Braves Class AAA team from Richmond. Even some buddies in the business are betting against him, Baldwin said.

“I will take their money graciously,” he said.

And invite them to Opening Night?

“Heck no, they’ve got to buy a ticket,” he said.

Opening Night is Friday April 17 when the Gwinnett Braves host the Norfolk Tides. Single tickets for opening night don’t go on sale until the end of March, but fans can pre-register online at www.GwinnettBraves.com.