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Greenville Drive hosts opening weekend — here’s what’s new this year

Jason Thomas //April 14, 2023//

Greenville Drive hosts opening weekend — here’s what’s new this year

Jason Thomas //April 14, 2023//

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Spring in Greenville means baseball is back, and the Greenville Drive, the South Atlantic League Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is ready to welcome the best fans in baseball back to award-winning Fluor Field for another season of family fun, entertainment, and season-long memories, a Greenville Drive news release stated.

Over the past eight months, the Drive organization has been working to develop the Fluor Field Entertainment District as well as adding several new ballpark facility and fan experience upgrades, the release stated. 

“We’re ready, thrilled and excited for the 2023 Drive season to get underway at Fluor Field,” said Drive general manager Eric Jarinko. “Drive Baseball in Downtown Greenville is our favorite community tradition and the fan experience at Fluor Field this season will be our best yet.”  

Related content: Milliken and Greenville Drive open plaza at Fluor Field

Additional featured hospitality areas across the ballpark have been updated and transformed, most notably the Champions Club and the Double Suite hospitality areas along the suite concourse, the release stated. Now branded the AFL Champions Club, the Drive are excited to expand its already best-in-class partnership with AFL to include naming rights associated with the Champions Club, the highest end hospitality area at Fluor Field.

The Double Suite at Fluor Field has also received a facelift as long-time Drive partner Budweiser is now using this space to tell the story of Budweiser’s association with baseball and the Boston Red Sox, the release stated. Guests will notice wall-to-wall updated creative graphics and other storytelling features that bring to life Budweiser’s significant role in the history of baseball — in the Upstate and throughout the country.

Fans will also notice several additional ballpark enhancements including an expanded 500 Club that includes a new full-service kitchen and extended terrace space overlooking District 356, the release stated. The outfield wall at Fluor Field has also been aesthetically transformed with the addition of padding and a reconfigured creative look for all outfield wall signage. 

And finally, fans should be on the lookout for a new beer offering at Fluor Field this season — Rallyville Lager, the release stated. Brewed in partnership with New Realm Brewery, Rallyville Lager, the official beer of the Greenville Drive.

For more information and tickets click here.

Here are a few upcoming event highlights, according to the release: 

Friday, April 14: Video Game Night; 7:05 p.m. 

A new and elevated focus on highly impactful, family fun weekend entertainment at Fluor Field debuts for the 2023 season on April 14 with Video Game Night! Video Game Night will immerse fans in anything and everything video game related including classic arcade games throughout the concourse, memorable video game music throughout the ballpark, plus opportunities for fans to compete during in-game inning breaks centered around nostalgic video games.

Fans can also enjoy actual interactive video game play on District 356 via the Starry Video Game and Game-On Greenville Trailers which will be set-up on Fluor Field’s new entertainment district from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live music from Brooks Dixon will also be part of the special set up on District 356.  

Friday nights also mean Fireworks at Fluor Field. Friday Night Fireworks, lit up by illumifin, will follow the game.

Saturday, April 15: Jackie Robinson Day; daylong celebration

April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day across Major and Minor League baseball and to celebrate this significant occasion the Drive and Fluor Field will feature a full day of highly impactful and memorable entertainment. 

The day begins with the King Legacy HBCU College Fair set up along the Fluor Field concourse beginning at 2 p.m. Thirty Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will be on hand to make presentations, speak one-on-one to attendees, accept applications, help with admission and financial aid questions, and more.

District 356 will come alive starting at 5 p.m. as the Drive will debut a new Saturday Night gameday experience at the ballpark — “Saturdays on the District.” This new entertainment offering will take place before every Saturday Drive game each season and activate District 356 with inflatable games, live music performances and food and beverage stations from Belladina’s Pizza, Clare’s Creamery, the Drive, and more. Tying in with the “Jackie Robinson/Black Spinners” theme for the evening, this first Saturday District activation will also include performances from the Clark Atlanta marching band and the Greenville High Step Team.

The Drive game culminates the day with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Throughout the game the Drive will pay homage to the Greenville Black Spinners, the Greenville-based Negro League team in the 1920’s, by donning their Black Spinners uniforms. The entire evening will include special performances and recognition moments for Jackie Robinson, the Black Spinners, as well as critical diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives all throughout the community. 

Sunday, April 16 : Bark in the Park; 7:05 p.m. 

Opening Week presented by TD Bank will draw to a close on Sunday, April 16 with the first Bark in the Park event of the 2023 Drive season, always proudly presented by Noble Dog Hotel. Bring out your pups to enjoy the game, win prizes, and treat your four-legged friend to treats, merch, and more from Pup-Up shops throughout the concourse. Following the game, dogs & kids will be invited on the field for one of Fluor Field’s favorite Sunday afternoon traditions — Blue Cross Blue Shield Kids (and dogs) Run The Bases.