Zephyr Field - New Orleans Baby Cakes

New Orleans Baby Cakes

Shrine on Airline 6000 Airline Drive Metairie, LA 70003	Opened: 1997	Capacity: 10,000	Elevation: 4'

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Zephyr Field Facts & Figures

Construction cost: $20 million

Financing: Fully paid for by the State of Louisiana, as a broad $215 million bill passed by the state legislature in June 1993 that authorized spending on multiple athletic venues in New Orleans and its suburbs included funding for a baseball stadium in Metairie. A 4% sales tax on hotel-motel rooms in Orleans and Jefferson parishes is used to pay off the bond debt associated with the sports package bill.

Architect: Perez Ernst Farnet Architects

General contractor: J. Caldarera & Co.

Construction began on March 1, 1996. Ceremonial groundbreaking took place on November 30, 1995.

Was built on previously undeveloped land owned by Jefferson Parish that was referred to as the LaSalle Tract. Prior to becoming the location of the ballpark and its parking lot, which collectively encompass 65 acres, a hardwood forest occupied the site.

Owned by the State of Louisiana via its Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) agency. Operated by SMG, which was previously known by the full name of Spectacor Management Group.

Did not have an official name when it opened. Zephyr Field was simply a common name used enough that it became the ballpark's moniker. Naming the ballpark in honor of a person or for a paying corporation were options discussed but the team name, which dates to the franchise's days in Denver, has never been supplanted in the ballpark's name.

Has 16 suites.

The Zephyrs' current lease at the ballpark runs through the 2020 season and was agreed to on October 21, 2015 as a five-year deal that superseded the team's previous lease, which was a seven-year pact that was signed following the 2009 season.

Hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 14, 1999, when a crowd of 8,895 watched the Pacific Coast League beat the International League, 9-5 (box score).

Replaced Privateer Park as the home for the New Orleans Zephyrs. Now known as Maestri Field, that ballpark was used on a temporary basis by the Zephyrs for four seasons (1993-96) following the team's relocation from Denver and it's actually located in New Orleans on part of the University of New Orleans campus. The Zephyrs' park in Metairie is roughly 14 miles southwest of where the UNO Privateers still play.

Ballpark Firsts

First game: April 11, 1997; the New Orleans Zephyrs beat the Oklahoma City 89ers, 8-3, with 10,366 as the announced attendance. The game was played in 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Official ballpark firsts (all of which occurred on 4/11/97, unless noted):

Pitch Batter Hit (single) RBI Home Run (4/13) Winning Pitcher Losing Pitcher

C.J. Nitkowski Mark Little Mark Little Eric Anthony Bubba Smith C.J. Nitkowski Jose Alberro

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Zephyr Field Facts & Figures

Ballpark Firsts