“Let the season begin!”  The RoughRiders baseball club, the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers, officially began the inaugural season on April 3, 2003. Texas Rangers’ first baseman Rafael Palmeiro threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the much-anticipated event.
 
Palmeiro was honored to take part in the RoughRiders’ historic Season Opener. In February 2002, Palmeiro participated in the RoughRiders’ official groundbreaking ceremony as well.
 
“We wanted Rafael to be here tonight to celebrate this chapter in the history of the RoughRiders and experience this phenomenal ‘first’ as well,” said RoughRiders President and General Manager Mike McCall.
 
RoughRiders, a Texas League minor league baseball team is the result of a joint partnership between Mandalay Sports Entertainment and Southwest Sports Group. Mandalay Sports Entertainment operates minor league clubs around the country.  Southwest Sports Group is known in the Dallas marketplace for its major league teams such as the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars.
 
The partnership between the RoughRiders’ joint owners and the City of Frisco has resulted in an outstanding ballpark that will provide fans in Collin County and the surrounding communities with a high quality sports/entertainment venue for years to come.  “This facility is world-class as are the partners and the incredible fans that helped make it all happen.” said RoughRiders President & General Manager Mike McCall.
 
"Today is a dream come true -- and the culmination of many years of hard work by our city and its partners," said Mayor Mike Simpson on opening night. "This one-of-a-kind ballpark is only a reality because of the incredible teamwork between Frisco and our Economic and Community Development Corporations, the Frisco Independent School District, Southwest Sports Group and Mandalay Sports Entertainment," said Simpson. The city-owned facility costs $28 million, of which the City of Frisco spent $22.7 million. The stadium is part of a $300 million public-privately funded project which includes the Dr Pepper StarsCenter, the Stars year-round practice facility, and an Embassy Suites hotel and convention center, as well as residential, retail and class-A office space.  At build-out, city leaders estimate the entire development will have an economic impact of more than $100 million each year. 
 
Throughout the past year, Six-time American League Gold Glove winning catcher Jim Sundberg partnered with the RoughRiders to bring a unique community program to Collin County.  Sundberg, who spent 16 seasons in the major leagues – 11-and-a-half years with the Texas Rangers, worked with Collin County youth baseball coaches, players, and parents at improving their skills both on the field and off the field. "Sports to Life,” a program designed by Sundberg, teaches sportsmanship and the importance of character. The program is geared toward players ages 14 and under. Sundberg announced the names of the Collin County school children who won the “Sports to Life” essay contest. On behalf of the Frisco RoughRiders, Sundberg will award savings bonds to the essay contestants
totaling $5,400.
 
Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark includes:
 
27 Luxury Business Entertainment Suites
8,800 fixed-style seats (with overflow in the berm for 1,200)
A members-only Founder’s Club with a bar and full restaurant
Bullpens built into the stands behind 1^st and 3^rd base lines.
An L.E.D. display across the outfield wall that measures 240 feet wide by 7 ½ feet tall.
The Dallas Morning News Corral (only outfield seating) can accommodate up to 310 people.
 
For more information about tickets, suites, or groups please call 972-731-9200 or visit our web site at www.ridersbaseball.com.