JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Construction is scheduled to begin on a renovated stadium in Joplin that will be the home of an independent league baseball team.
Joplin city officials and supporters of the new team, called the Joplin Blasters, participated at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the new stadium.
The Joplin Globe reports the $4.7 million project is expected to be finished by May 2015. The redevelopment includes new lighting and fixed seating for about 2,400 fans, as well as a hospitality plaza around the field for another 2,500 to 3,000 people.
Other projects include new ticketing areas, restrooms, locker rooms and renovated dugouts, along with box suites and a press box.
The Blasters’ 100-game regular season will start May 15, 2015. Player acquisitions could start next week.