KALAMAZOO, MI – The city of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Growlers agreed to extend the team's lease with the city by an additional 10 years the team announced.
The team was previously under a 5 year lease with the city that ran through the 2018 season. The new lease will now extend through the 2028 season.
Team executives and city representatives were excited to break the news. “This is the culmination of a relationship and shared philosophy with the City of Kalamazoo to provide quality entertainment at Homer Stryker for years to come, further enhancing the quality of life in this wonderful community,” said Northwoods League Chairman and Co-Founder, Dick Radatz, Jr.
Parks and Recreation Director Sean Fletcher said, "The Parks and Recreation Department and City Administration are very excited about a long-term agreement with the Growlers. Having baseball at Homer Stryker Field is great for families and the community. We look forward to continuing to work with the Growlers to provide fun entertainment for the Kalamazoo community."
The Northwoods League originally brought baseball back to Kalamazoo in 2014 after multiple years without a lease holder for Homer Stryker Field. The previous lease holders were members of the Frontier League and the Kalamazoo Kings organization that folded after the 2011 season.
The team has plans for numerous improvements and changes to Homer Stryker Field during the new lease terms with the team planning to reveal 2017 updates later this winter.
"With the support of city administrators, we have been able to enhance the fan experience each year and we are committed to continue to do so. Being ranked the 9th best experience in the country this off season was a great step, but we've only just begun," said Growlers Vice President, Brian Colopy.
The team kicks off its fourth season in Kalamazoo on May 30th when the team opens up at home against the Rockford Rivets. The team is currently offering fans free food and drinks along with free gifts for all 5-game pack holders. The team recently announced their Plan A had already sold out and opened a Plan B due to demand.
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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 160 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and two-time World Series champion Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.growlersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Growlers as your favorite team.