Hamline signs 25 year lease for new ballpark

The City of Saint Paul and Hamline University have announced a new preferred partnership to bring amateur college baseball to the new Lowertown Ballpark. Starting in 2015, the new ballpark will be the official home field for the Hamline baseball team in coordination with the St. Paul Saints, who will manage the facility. As part of its 25-year agreement with the City of Saint Paul, Hamline University will commit to lease payments that the City will use to help finance the cost of the ballpark and the construction of a third locker room dedicated to the Hamline baseball team’s use, and will provide the university team a permanent location to play. It will also allow Hamline to utilize the training facilities, have exclusive office and storage space, and have prominent visibility at the new Lowertown Ballpark. “We are thrilled to call the Lowertown Ballpark home for Hamline baseball,” Hamline President Linda Hanson said. “Our Pipers will have the best field in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAC), and this progressive partnership offers our athletes access to top-notch facilities and a unique experience with Division III baseball. We’re also pleased to continue strong and long-standing relationships among Minnesota’s first university, its capital city, and one of the leading professional, independent, minor league teams in the country.” Hamline is expected to play more than a dozen games each year at the ballpark, from March to May, as well as hold fall, spring and summer practices and several junior varsity games. The university will work with the St. Paul Saints to coordinate schedules. The team has previously played its games at Midway Stadium and usually has a team of 59 players.