Whitecaps Announce Salute to Beer City Night, Unveil Special ‘Bung Hammers’ Uniforms

PRESS RELEASE – Fans of the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Single-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, know that the team has embraced Grand Rapids’ thriving craft beer culture. From a special logo for the 2014 Midwest League All-Star game logo, to our “Craft Clubhouse” presented by Founders, to the annual Michigan Brewer’s Guild Winter Beer Festival held at Fifth Third Ballpark every February, the Whitecaps love craft beer. Now the Whitecaps are taking the next step with the local craft beer community and changing the team’s name for one special night.

Christmas Lite Show Opens at Fifth Third Ballpark

The 20th annual Christmas Lite Show started lighting up the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park this week.  The popular event is set to run through Dec. 31.  The show consists of nearly two miles of more of than a million lights, which includes animated displays and lighted tunnels.  Read more and view photos here.

Whitecaps Announce Fifth Third Ballpark Improvements

PRESS RELEASE – The players have all packed up and returned home for the off-season. Road construction season is winding down with the coming freeze, but construction season at Fifth Third Ballpark is just beginning.

Whitecaps Look to Attract A-List Acts by Doubling Ballpark’s Concert Capacity

The owners of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) are working to determine the full capacity of Fifth Third Ballpark if the entire field were used for a concert, not just the infield as it has for past shows.  The estimated 16,000 capacity or more could make the ballpark the largest venue in the region and open up a host opportunities for big name concerts.  Read more here.

Whitecaps Unveil ‘Social Media Night’ Jersey

The West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) will be wearing the emoji-covered jerseys below on June 30 for Social Media Night:

Whitecaps Calling on Fans for the Next Great Food Item(s)!

PRESS RELEASE – The 2015 Midwest League Champion West Michigan Whitecaps and Daily Deals Food Outlet are teaming up to look for ideas for some championship food items to be served at Fifth Third Ballpark this year. Starting today, fans can submit ideas for what new food items they would like to see served at Fifth Third Ballpark this summer.

Whitecaps’ Social Media Night Includes Fan-Designed Jersey

On June 4, the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League) will hold Social Media Night featuring “everything” chosen by fans via social media, including the fan-designed jersey the players will be wearing, the giveaway item, the music at the ballpark, and the post game band.  Learn more and design a jersey here.

Despite Tent-Flattening Winds, Ballpark Brew Festival a Success

Despite freezing temperatures and high winds that flattened festival tents on Friday, 6,000 beer lovers showed up Saturday for the Michigan Brewers Guild’s Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), to sample 768 available brews.  Read more and view photos here.  Check out the VIP ice mugs here.

There IS Crying in Baseball (After Ballpark Fire), But…

Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter, owners of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), remain steadfast that Fifth Third Ballpark will be ready by Opening Day and repairs completed in time for the June 17 Midwest League All-Star game.  Read more here.  Meanwhile it’s time for the ‘Caps to find that next unique new food item via the annual fan competition below:

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Post-Fire Photos of Fifth Third Ballpark Released

Photos showing the post-fire damage to Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), have been released.  Indeed, a lot of work needs to be done to have the ballpark ready for opening day in April.  Read more and view photos here.  View Whitecaps Facebook photos here.

Part of Whitecaps’ Ballpark Destroyed by Fire

A portion of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), collapsed after a massive fire broke out around 11 a.m. Friday.  Flames spread quickly throughout the first base side of the stands, and about one third of the concourse has been destroyed.  Watch news report here.  We’re not sure what this means for the 2014 MWL All-Star Game scheduled to be played at Comstock on June 17.

Whitecaps Unveil Craft Beer-Inspired 2014 Midwest League All-Star Game Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The West Michigan Whitecaps today released ticket pricing and on-sale dates for the 50^th Midwest League All-Star Game, which will be played at Fifth Third Ballpark on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. In addition, the Whitecaps unveiled the All-Star logo.