New at Fluor Field: Greenville Drive add 'tailgate' experience at District 356, official beer
Evonne Austin has worked as an usher at Fluor Field for four years.
Working at Greenville Drive games has impacted her life, she said. She feels a strong sense of community and belonging at the ballpark. She believes that same feeling is shared by fans that flock to the west end each spring and summer.
"Everybody here, we are one. Once you come in that gate, you won't find enemies - you'll find all friends," Austin said.
The Greenville Drive prides itself on delivering fun for the whole family. With the continuation of fan-favorite promotions and the unveiling of new amenities, fans won't be left hungry for more ― except for maybe a chili cheese dog or two.
"One of my favorite lines is, 'We're doing our job right if the community owns this platform, owns this stadium. Not us,'" Greenville Drive President Jeff Brown said.
On Tuesday, April 11, the Greenville Drive opened their 17th season with a six-game homestand at Fluor Field. The action on the diamond, along with the energy from the crowd and Drive staff, signaled the start of another South Atlantic League season.
The Drive are back home this week with six games against Hudson Valley, Tuesday, April 25-Sunday, April 30. All games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. other than the Sunday game at 3:05 p.m.
The team will celebrate the Greenville County Reading All-Stars on Tuesday and Wednesday and Reading All-Stars from Anderson, Laurens, Pickens and Spartanburg counties on Sunday.
Fans can enjoy White Claws on Wednesday for $3 until the top of the eighth inning, then Dollar Drink Night with $1 Pepsi, $2 Bud Light and $4 Rallyville Lager on Thursday. This weekend, and every weekend the Drive are at home, it's Friday Night Fireworks, followed by Saturdays on the District. Kids will be able to run the bases after Sunday afternoon's game.
Here's what to know about the fun swinging your way this year at Fluor Field:
Fluor Field unveils Milliken Plaza
Located inside the District 356 (named after "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's career batting average) stadium entrance and built in collaboration with Milliken & Company, Milliken Plaza is the most "significant, interactive branded fan experience to come to Fluor Field in years," according to a Drive press release.
The plaza includes a rotating showcase of notable Milliken Associates and Drive alumni with baseball-related Milliken product displays. There is also a new Milliken Digital First Pitch experience where fans can mimic throwing a baseball toward a digital screen that captures analytical data such as distance and speed.
“Our partnership with the Drive has shown us how much our team loves to come together to have fun with their families, colleagues and friends,” Milliken CEO and President Halsey Cook said in a statement. “Milliken Plaza strengthens our engagement with the Greenville community and offers our associates a place of pride in Greenville.”
Brown said that the key to boosting fan experience is by delivering memories for years to come.
"It's making sure that the memories continue to have that lasting impact with whatever interaction people have when they're here," he said. "It's constantly reminding myself why we're doing what we're doing and how we can use our position in our platform to continue to embrace and deliver impact to the community."
Greenville Drive debut official beer, Rallyville Lager
A beer embodying the spirit of the Drive debuted last week and will be on tap for fans through the season.
For over a year, New Realm Brewery and the Drive have been working on a co-branded, Rallyville Lager.
The Vienna-style amber lager is now the official beer of the Greenville Drive.
The Champions Club and Double Suite transformed. 500 Club gets all-new kitchen.
The Champions Club, now branded the AFL Champions Club, has expanded its partnership with the AFL. Across the club, the story of the AFL brand and community will be told and brought to life. In a similar vein, Budweiser is now using the Double Suite to tell the story of its association with the Boston Red Sox and baseball through storytelling features and creative graphics.
Fans will notice the expansion of the 500 Club, which will include a new full-service kitchen and extended terrace overlooking District 356.
"The kitchen is about two times to three times the size of the old kitchen," Brown stated. "We're still in the process of figuring out exactly what's going to come out of that kitchen, but all food experience up there will be totally updated and enhanced."
Saturdays at the District 356 add 'tailgate' experience to Greenville Drive games
Every Saturday, from 5 p.m. to first pitch, Drive games will feature "Saturdays on the District" as District 356 will come alive outside of the stadium.
Located on Field Street, the district, a $2.5 million partnership between the Greenville Drive and the city, is crafted in the mold of Jersey Street near Boston's Fenway Park.
There will be inflatable games, live music performances, and food and beverage stations from Belladina’s Pizza, Clare’s Creamery, the Drive and more.
"We kind of think of it as a pregame tailgate party on District 356," said Brown.
Make sure to catch the May 13 Saturday on the District to take part in a bobblehead giveaway.
What to know about parking at Greenville Drive games
Fans who attend Fluor Field are encouraged to park free of charge at Greenville County Square, located just a short distance from the ballpark. The City of Greenville will also continue to provide trolley services from County Square to Fluor Field every fifteen minutes.
The trolleys are hard to miss, with Drive and Red Sox logos on the side.
There are additional paid parking lots surrounding the stadium.
Here are some of the highlights of the Greenville Drive's promotional schedule
Dollar Drink Nights Thursdays.
Friday Night Fireworks.
Saturdays on the District Saturdays from 5-7 p.m.
Reading All-Stars, presented by Michelin, on Sundays.
A Mother's Day event presented by Bon Secours on May 14 at 3 p.m.
GSC Appreciation Night on June 13.
Father's Day on June 18.
Military Appreciation Day/Independence Day July 4.
Marvel Defender of the Diamond Night July 8.
First Responders Day July 9.
Princess Day July 23.
Waldrop's Youth Sports Night Aug. 2.
Green Day presented by TD Bank Aug. 8.
Labor Day Picnic Sept. 3.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for the Greenville News. Reach her via email @ntran@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter @NinaLTran.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville Drive open 17th season. What to expect at Fluor Field
