MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

O\'Brien Field shines in downtown Peoria

by Marc Viquez
Published on May 6, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs


There is something about ballparks that are built in downtown cities across the country. They seem to have a little bit more pizzazz from their structure and skyline views, local businesses within walking distance and city streets that criss-cross beyond the outfield walls. O'Brien Field in Peoria, Ill., is just an example of a downtown ballpark that offers all of these features.

O'Brien FieldThe Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League moved into the facility mid-season in 2002 after playing two decades at Pete Vonachen Stadium, located a few miles outside the downtown area. Peoria had been without minor league baseball for 25-years at the time. Since then the Chiefs, known their first season as the Suns, have been a mainstay in the city.

I have to say the first thing that points out about O'Brien Field are the nine-palm trees that lace the leftfield walls. The trees that line the grass berm are the genuine article and are replaced each year, providing for a topical feel in the Midwest. The idea came from a team owner watching a game at San Francisco's PacBell Park (now SBC Park) before the O'Brien field even opened.

O'Brien Field"To make a long story short we checked into them and they are not that expensive to do and it just gives the ballpark a different look, feel and atmosphere", said team president Rocky Vonachen.

Another unique aspect is the concourse that wraps almost entirely around the stadium providing a small playground and kid zone beyond the batters eye in centerfield. Also, there are small wedges of grass seating down each baseline and wider aisles to provide for better pedestrian traffic leaving the area after the game.

"We think they do a real good job at pulling families in making it entertaining for everybody," added Brian Ford of Glassford, Ill., who attended 20-30 games the previous season.

There is also not the over saturated billboard ads gracing the outfield walls and inner concourse, then again aren't heavy laced outfield ads a staple of minor league ballparks? Also, there did not seem to be any ads with crashing effect sounds whenever a foul ball sailed off a players' bat, a practice that is vastly becoming a staple at ballparks.

O'Brien Field"We enjoyed the old ballpark quite a bit, we had been going there ever since 1983," said Bill Ogle of West Peoria, Ill. "The atmosphere over there seemed to be a little bit different, but here it is really a nice park with a good view no matter where you at. I just like the view and the convenience of getting down here. You can't beat it"

The downtown location also provides patrons to visit the city's waterfront district where they are bars, a brewpub, restaurants and other attractions that are within walking distance. When I was eating at the Irish pub you could see various fans enter shortly after the game. There are some cities that build a ballpark in order to attract these types of businesses, but are not successful at it. It was refreshing to enjoy such an atmosphere with the downtown nightlife along the river.

In the end O'Brien Field was a nicely knit package serving its purpose in the city of Peoria. The ballpark should provide many years of producing talent to the majors along with visitors discovering the downtown area.

Check out the Peoria Chiefs Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2005


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