Jackson Field (Lansing)
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Redirect|Jackson Field|the Northern Colorado Bears' ballpark|Jackson Field (Greeley)}}
{{Infobox stadium
| nickname = Lugnuts Stadium
| logo_image = Jackson_Field.jpg
| image = OldsmobilePark01.jpg
| image_size = 275px
| coordinates = {{coord|42|44|5|N|84|32|43|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = 505 East Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912
| former_names = Cooley Law School Stadium (2011–2020)
Jackson Field at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Stadium (2010)
Oldsmobile Park (1996–2009)
| broke_ground = April 3, 1995
| built =
| opened = April 3, 1996
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = City of Lansing
| operator = Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA)
| surface = Grass
| construction_cost = $12.8 million
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|12800000|1996}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = HNTB Corporation (Kansas City)
| general_contractor = Clark Construction{{cite web |title=Cooley Law School Stadium Information|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-42085626|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=March 9, 2014}}
| structural engineer = J&S Structural Engineers{{cite web|title=Sports Facility Experience|url=http://jsstructuralengineers.com/SportsExp.html|publisher=J&S Structural Engineers|access-date=October 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402130710/http://jsstructuralengineers.com/SportsExp.html|archive-date=2012-04-02|url-status=dead}}
| tenants = Lansing Lugnuts (MWL/High-A Central) (1996–present)
Michigan State Spartans (NCAA) (1996–present)
Lansing Ignite FC (USL1) (2019)
| seating_capacity = 7,527 (+ 2,000 lawn, patio and standing room)
| dimensions = Left field: {{convert|305|ft}}
Center field: {{convert|404|ft}}
Right field: {{convert|305|ft}}
}}
Jackson Field is a baseball stadium in Lansing, Michigan, home field of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team. The Michigan State Spartans college baseball team also plays select home games at Jackson Field. The stadium is situated in downtown Lansing in the Stadium District on a relatively narrow strip of land between and below Larch and Cedar streets.
It is primarily used for baseball, though it has also hosted an ice skating rink, an outdoor movie theater, a haunted house, and served as a concert venue for the annual Common Ground Music Festival. Due to the dimensions of the city block in which the stadium was constructed, the right and left field fences 'notch' sharply into distances of {{convert|305|ft}} at each foul pole.
History
The stadium replaced a block of storefronts along Michigan Avenue. Originally budgeted $10 million for construction, the construction costs rose slightly to $12.8 million.{{cite web |title=City of Lansing and Lugnuts Announce Exciting New Developments at Oldsmobile Park|url=http://www.lansinglugnuts.com/fan_action/101404.html|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=October 14, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041103204024/http://www.lansinglugnuts.com/fan_action/101404.html|archive-date=November 3, 2004 }}
Groundbreaking for the stadium took place on April 3, 1995, and it was officially opened exactly one year later on April 3, 1996 as Oldsmobile Park. Its first game was between the college baseball teams of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Two days later, the Lansing Lugnuts had their first game at the venue against the Rockford Cubbies.{{cite web|title=Cooley Law School Stadium Facts|url=http://cooleylawschoolstadium.com/park-guide/stadium-facts|publisher=Cooley Law School Stadium|access-date=May 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813235751/http://cooleylawschoolstadium.com/park-guide/stadium-facts|archive-date=August 13, 2011|url-status=dead}}
On February 22, 2010, Lansing mayor Virgil Bernero announced that the stadium would be renamed Thomas M. Cooley Law School Stadium, a result of the park's new sponsorship agreement.{{cite news |last=Domsic |first=Melissa |date=February 22, 2010 |title=Lugnuts ballpark soon will be Cooley Law School Stadium |url= |access-date= |newspaper=Lansing State Journal |issn=02749742 |id={{ProQuest|439276508}}.}} In March 2010, Lansing-based Jackson National Life Insurance Company purchased the rights to name the field "Jackson Field" for 1 year. Thus, the full name of the venue was Jackson Field at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Stadium.{{cite news |date=March 22, 2010 |title=Jackson National Lands Lugnuts Field Naming Rights |url= |access-date= |newspaper=Lansing State Journal |issn=02749742 |id={{ProQuest|439290076}}.}}
On March 12, 2014, a $22 million renovation proposal for the stadium was announced named "The Outfield." It would include $11 million in public bonds for renovation of the actual stadium structure including new turf, and updated locker rooms, concessions and new box seats. $11 million in additional private investments which would include 80 apartments, a year-round bar and grill, and a new scoreboard. The proposal also includes the city negotiating a new contract with the team which is proposed to bring in an additional 25% revenue for the city.{{cite news|last=Anders|first=Melissa|title=Living above the outfield: Lansing Lugnuts' stadium renovation plan includes apartments, restaurants|url=http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/03/lansing_lugnuts_apartments_bas.html|access-date=24 March 2014|newspaper=MLive.com|date=12 March 2014}}
On September 1, 2020, the stadium announced an official name change to Jackson Field after a 7-year naming rights agreement was signed with Jackson National Life Insurance Company.{{Cite news |last=Zide |first=Jeffrey |title=Lansing Lugnuts stadium renamed to Jackson Field |url=https://www.wilx.com/2020/09/01/lansing-lugnuts-stadium-renamed-to-jackson-field/ |access-date=2020-09-01 |date=2020-09-01 |work=WILX-TV}}
Other uses
=Rugby=
On October 19, 2018, the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines had their rivalry match, the Battle for the Mitten, at Cooley Law School Stadium.{{cite news |title=Battle for the Mitten Field Transformation |url=https://www.fox47news.com/we-are-spartans/battle-for-the-mitten-field-transformation |work=WSYM-TV |date=17 October 2018 |language=en}} Michigan State defeated Michigan 25-15.
=Soccer=
On October 25, 2018, the newly planned Lansing Ignite soccer team announced it would begin playing its home games at the stadium. The Ignite ceased operations after just one season.{{cite web |title=Lansing Ignite FC Ceases Operations |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1058296 |website=USLLeagueOne.com |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=21 October 2019}}
Field dimensions
{{multiple image
| align =
| direction =
| width2 = 350
| image1 = Cooley Law School Stadium (8713299166).jpg
| image2 = OldsmobilePark02.jpg
| footer = Views of Jackson Field from behind home plate (left) and from the outfield (right)
}}
- Left field: {{convert|305|ft}}
- Left-center: {{convert|380|ft}}
- Center field: {{convert|404|ft}}
- Right-center: {{convert|412|ft}}
- Right field: {{convert|305|ft}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120123104329/http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t499 Cooley Law School Stadium Website]
- [http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2006/Lansing/Lansing.htm Oldsmobile Park Views - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues]
{{Lansing Ignite FC}}
{{Midwest League ballparks}}
{{Big Ten Conference baseball venue navbox}}
{{Michigan NCAA Division I college baseball venue navbox}}
{{Lansing-East Lansing}}
Category:Sports venues in Lansing, Michigan
Category:Minor league baseball venues
Category:College baseball venues in Michigan
Category:Sports venues completed in 1996
Category:1996 establishments in Michigan
Category:Michigan State Spartans baseball
Category:Soccer venues in Michigan