With SunTrust Park under construction in Cobb County, the Atlanta Braves underwent an offseason roster deconstruction like few since the team moved south in 1966.
While the roster renovation was set in motion by management’s determination to rearm in time for the new stadium’s opening in 2017, there are still two seasons to play at Turner Field.
Fans inevitably will find fewer major changes at Turner Field, but there’s plenty that’s new at the “Home of the Braves.”
Here’s a guide to fun at the old ballpark:
Food
Everything from Chick-fil-A and Waffle House to Sweetwater Brewing and Rathbun Steakhouse are back, and there are several additions to the concessions menu:
Wing Diner at Section 102 offers tossed-to-order wings in mango habanero, buffalo or lemon pepper sauce.
Funnel cake sundaes are served in souvenir Braves helmets at Section 129.
Fielder’s Choice: Keep it light at this cart at Section 102, with selections including entree salads and grilled sandwiches.
King of Pops: The popular frozen pops is available at sections 105, 233 and 402.
Red Hare has designed a new beer, National Common, to pair with the park’s famed H&F Burgers. Purchase a cup at all three H&F locations (sections 104, 150 and 151).
New Amsterdam Bar: Liquor-only bar pours at Section 222.
For the kids
The former Taco Mac Family Zone in Fan Plaza is now Hope and Will’s Dugout. Presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the area features a treehouse with a slide, Xbox games, claw machines and a small baseball field where kids can run and play.
Family-friendly spots include: Coca-Cola Sky Field along the left field corner of the upper deck, featuring a base path for kids, a picnic pavilion, a striking view of Atlanta’s downtown skyline and a Jolly Green Giant-scaled Coke bottle; and Scouts Alley in the left field concourse where kids can play four interactive games that test their pitching and hitting abilities.
Music
Band of the Year: Each Saturday, 90 minutes before first pitch, fans can enjoy a pregame performance in Fan Plaza by Band of the Year contestants.
Weekly events
Friday night fireworks return, following every Friday home game of the season.
Alumni Sundays: Starting two hours before every Sunday home game, fans can queue up for autographs of former players in Fan Plaza.
Kids Run the Bases: After every Sunday home game, children 14 and under can run the bases (line up at the Hank Aaron Ramp, Section 129).
Giveaways
There will be four of the popular bobblehead giveaways to the first 20,000 fans each game: New Baseball Hall of Fame inductee John Smoltz (Aug. 14) and Julio Teheran (Sept. 10).
The first 20,000 fans on July 18 will receive a NAPA Auto Parts cap.
A World Series replica ring will be given to the first 20,000 fans on Aug. 8.
On Aug. 29, the first 20,000 fans will receive a MLB Network Tote Bag.
Special events
Bark in the Park: Bring man’s (and woman’s) best friend with you on Sept. 20 by purchasing a special ticket ($32). Packages include a Braves-themed dog bowl and access to a specified pooch-friendly play area.
Paint in the Park: On Aug. 16 and Sept. 13, fans who’ve purchased a special ticket package ($75) can partake of a postgame painting class (with cash bar available) hosted by Sips n Strokes.
Military Appreciation Night: Active military and veterans will be honored on Aug. 15. A special ticket package ($23 Upper Box to $28 Outfield Pavilion) will be available that includes a Braves camouflage shirt and Braves military coin.
A Fourth of July fireworks show will follow that night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Braves’ annual Alumni Weekend, Aug. 7-9, will celebrate a half-century of Atlanta Braves baseball and the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Braves World Series champion team. On Aug. 8, the Legends Game will pit players from the ‘95 World Series team against alumni from many seasons. Former Braves players will sign autographs in Fan Plaza for an hour before the Aug. 7 game. Check for times closer to the weekend at braves.com.
Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
The Braves Museum and Hall of Fame is offering two new exhibits paying tribute to the Braves’ five decades in Atlanta:
“Homes of the Braves, ” featuring photographs and information on all five ballparks the Braves have called home in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta, along with the shovel Hank Aaron used for the groundbreaking of SunTrust Park.
“50 Years in Atlanta, ” artifacts and photos highlighting great Braves moments.
The museum also offers Turner Field tours, available at 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 and 3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 1 and 2:30 p.m. on off Sundays (no tours are offered on Sunday game days or on days of afternoon games). $17, $13 ages 10-13, $9 ages 3-9 at www.braves.com/tours or at the main ticket window. Free parking is available on non-game days in the Turner Field Green Lot, corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard.
Technology
Upgraded Wi-Fi: Turner Field has upgraded its services to have 10 times the user capacity and a speed 30 times faster than last season.
iBeacon Challenge: Piedmont Healthcare is sponsoring a #livingbetter challenge to fans, encouraging walking, via the MLB.com Ballpark App (available only on iPhones running iOS 7 or above; Bluetooth needs to be turned on). As participants move around the ballpark and check into the beacons, fun facts and stories about the team and Turner Field will pop up. The first fan checking into at least five of the 11 points of interests wins a prize at Fan Central (Section 126).
Ticket deals
Coca-Cola $12 Tuesdays: Discounted Club Pavilion tickets are available every Tuesday.
All You Can Eat Seats: For group tickets starting at $55 each, fans can enjoy unlimited smoked barbecue sandwiches, chicken wings, all-beef franks, potato salad, peanuts, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, Coca-Cola drinks and draft beer.
College and AAA discount: Two Upper Box tickets for the price of one with a valid college or AAA card (some games excluded).
Military discount: Two Upper Box and Outfield tickets for the price of one with a valid military ID.
$1 Skyline Seats: Upper deck tickets for a buck are available 2 1/2 hours before every home game at the ticket office.
Sport Clips $8 Monday Night Chop deal means discounts for Terrace View tickets.
Chevron Family Package: Starting at $69, packages include four game tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, a parking pass, game program and a $10 Chevron gift card.
GWINNETT, ROME BRAVES AT A GLANCE
Several of the Atlanta Braves’ offseason trades helped restock its minor league system with prospects. For fans who want a glimpse of the future today, two of those farm teams are easy for metro residents to access.
The Gwinnett Braves, in Atlanta’s northern suburbs, play not even be 45 minutes from Turner Field. And the Rome Braves are less than two hours north of Atlanta, up I-75 between Cartersville and Chattanooga. Gwinnett competes in the Class Triple-A International League, while Rome plays in the Class Single-A South Atlantic League. Here’s the essential info to plan a visit:
Gwinnett Braves
Stadium: Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville
Tickets: $8-$18; general admission lawn seating, $6.
Information: 678-277-0340, www.gwinnettbraves.com
Rome Braves
Stadium: State Mutual Stadium, 755 Braves Blvd., Rome
Tickets: $6-$10, $4-$5 general admission.
Information: 706-368-9388, www.romebraves.com
