Tides hope to bring back the home run at Harbor Park

NORFOLK

The Norfolk Tides will spend $500,000 to make Harbor Park more home run friendly, and in the process, will provide a covered deck where 400 fans can take in sweeping views of the downtown waterfront and the playing field.

The Tides received permission from the city Monday to construct what they are calling the Right Field Party Deck.

The rightfield fence will be moved in about 20 feet at the foul line, to 318 feet, which officials hope will increase the number of home runs. The deck will be constructed behind the rightfield fence.

The deck will have no fixed seating but instead will provide a space for fans to enjoy the game and a cold beer. It will have a wet bar and dozens of high-top tables.

The idea morphed from a proposal by Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield to generate more home runs by moving in the fence. Harbor Park's rightfield fence is one of the most distant in Triple-A, and with winds blowing in off the harbor most nights, is deadly for lefthanders.

"Through the years, I've heard so much complaining from hitters, I thought we needed to do something about it," Rosenfield said.

Rosenfield proposed moving the fence but began to tinker with the idea of building a deck after seeing similar facilities in other baseball stadiums. He took the idea to Tides president Ken Young, who liked it and gained approval from the team's governing board.

"We have our patios and a picnic area, and they are highly used, but we don't have anything for individuals who would like to do something other than sit in a seat," Rosenfield said.

Construction will begin this week. Designed by VIA Design Architects of Norfolk, the deck was approved by the city's design review board and Planning Commission.

Rosenfield said it was designed to blend with the decor of Harbor Park.

The covered roof, for instance, will be nearly identical to the stadium roof. "It will not look like an afterthought," Rosenfield said.

Young said the view from the deck, beyond the outfield fence, "will give the fans a whole different perspective. It will be a unique view."

The deck will be connected to the stadium restaurant, Hits at the Park, at the far end of the rightfield stands and extend to the scoreboard.

Although the stadium is city-owned, the Tides are footing the bill for the deck and realignment of the fence.

VIRTEXCO Construction of Norfolk has a completion date of March 15, said Brian V. Camden, president of Powell Management Associates, which is overseeing construction for the Tides.

That's more than two weeks before a major league exhibition April 3 between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The Tides open their International League home season April 20 against Charlotte.

Although the deck could add standing room capacity to the stadium for the major league exhibition, which is expected to sell out, officials said the deck will be used only by those who purchase seats.

"The capacity of the stadium will remain at 12,000," said John Rhamstine, who runs the city's sports and arts venues.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com