Wahoos' stadium named 'Ballpark of the Year'

Baseballparks.com, a website devoted to the game’s facilities, has named Bayfront Stadium, home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, its “2012 Ballpark of the Year.”

The Wahoos’ home field is the 13^th new stadium to receive the annual award, beating out all new and renovated facilities in professional baseball, including Marlins Park in Miami and the Boston Red Sox complex in Lee County, runners-up to Bayfront Stadium for the award. All three projects were designed by Populous – formerly HOK Sport.

Aaron Noll, one of the Populous architects who worked directly on the facility, said the new park “has become a proud icon of the city of Pensacola. With the best outfield view in all of minor league baseball and a top-notch operations staff, this ballpark will continue to serve its city well for years to come.”

Added Populous Principal David Bower, “This is a success story of how to create a great ballpark unique to the Pensacola community while being mindful of the city’s vision for future economic development.”

Populous now has won seven “Ballpark of the Year” awards, more than any other architectural firm.

Site webmaster Joe Mock in a news release said the honor is awarded annually to the new baseball stadium with the best combination of superior design, attractive site selection and fan amenities. The plaque representing the award will be presented by Mock at a Blue Wahoos home game in April of next season. Mock’s full review of Pensacola Bayfront Stadium can be found at baseballparks.com/Pensacola-1.asp.