Royal Oak City Council unanimously approved the Royal Oak Leprechauns to make improvements at Memorial Park – #TheLuckyCorner – for the upcoming 2024 summer collegiate baseball season. The working agreement between the city and Leprechauns was also extended and the Northwoods League was added to the agreement.
General Manager Mark Sackett appeared before the board as Parks and Recreation Superintendent John Fedele read over the proposed projects.
“The additional park improvements are for $150,000 and extend the original operating agreement with an additional five years to 2034,” Fedele said. “The improvements include two Trex Patio Decks that would extend along the third base and first base lines, a production shed, a merchandise shed and provisions for a temporary outfield fence.”
The Northwoods League – a 26-team league across six states and Canada – was created in 1992 and has sent more than 340 players to Major League Baseball. The Leprechauns will play 36 home games this season. The projected improvements will be available for the use of Memorial Park for softball, baseball, cross-country, Woodward Dream Cruise and any other Memorial Park activity.
Leprechaun Owner and General Manager Mark Sackett appreciates the city’s commitment to bringing high-level baseball and affordable family entertainment to Memorial Park.
“When we were planning this whole thing out, in our mind, this is a multi-purpose park, we wanted these improvements to be used for every activity at Memorial Park. These are for everybody,” Sackett said.
Mayor Mike Fournier noted that “this will be a nice environment, especially with the decks and open it up and give more reasons for more people to show up and enjoy America’s National Pastime. We are adding more games, which is great for everybody. We are adding more amenities to a multi-purpose park, and we are bringing in a higher caliber of baseball. This is a win for Royal Oak and folks across the region enjoy coming to games. I will be supporting it wholeheartedly.”
The projects will start construction this spring to be ready for Opening Day on May 27th. For more information about the Royal Oak Leprechauns and to purchase tickets, visit: https://northwoodsleague.com/royal-oak-leprechauns
