Whitecaps Unveil Top-10 Food Items for Fan Voting

The West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) are ready for the fans to have their say! The tenth-annual fan voting contest, presented by visit Central Florida, to determine Fifth Third Ballpark’s next culinary delight starts today – Wednesday, February 27.

Whitecaps Asking Fans to Submit Food Ideas

The West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) are asking fans to submit their ideas for what new food item they would like to have at Fifth Third Ballpark.  Read more here.

Two Miles of Christmas Lights at Fifth Third Ballpark

For the past two decades, twinkling lights of every color have paved the way for families, warm in their vehicles, to drive through West Michigan’s largest Christmas light display at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League). Read more and view photos here.

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.

AHL’s Griffins to Sport Whitecaps-Inspired Baseball Jerseys

The Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) will host a cross-promotion Friday, March 16, at Van Andel Arena, whereby the Griffins will sport baseball inspired jerseys.  There will even be a home-run derby between periods.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Fan Food Vote 2018

For the ninth year in a row, the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) are letting fans help them choose a new food item to serve up for the 2018 season.  Fans can vote for their favorite between now and Friday, March 9th at 4:00 p.m.  The winner will be announced later in March.  The 10 choices are Deep Fried Beer; Gator-Tator; Grub Glove; Heater with Some Meater; Hey, Pita, Pita, Pita; Johnny Brunch; Koolickles Pickles; Mochi Ice Cream; Mt. Wing-suvius, the Wing-Ring Volcano; and The Fry Cobb.  See photos and vote here.

Whitecaps Hold Food Preview Event

While the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) players start getting in shape for their 25th season, Fifth Third Ballpark is getting ready to bring in some serious eats.  Read more and watch videos here.

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.

Grand Rapids Honors 9/11 Fallen First Responders

The annual ” Grand Rapids Memorial Stair Climb” was held on Saturday at Fifth Third Ball Park, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League).  It is done as a way to honor and remember those firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel who died on 9/11.  Read more and view photo here.

Whitecaps Light Up the Holiday Season

The annual Christmas Lite Show at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League), is now open.   At nearly two miles long with more than one million lights on display, it’s West Michigan’s largest animated drive thru Christmas light show.  Watch news report 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 Explore New Food Options

Food vendors on Thursday, Feb. 4, showed off their tasty ideas at Gordon Food Service, with the goal of getting the call to the pros as the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) evaluate options for the 2016 season.  Read more and view 27-picture photo gallery here.

West Michigan Whitecaps explore 2016 food items with Gordon Food Service, Whitecaps Facebook photo.

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 Go ‘Down Under’ Tonight

The West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) will celebrate the land Down Under Thursday night as the team takes the field in Australia-themed jerseys.  Learn more here.  Participate in the team’s jersey auction here.  Watch Men At Work Down Under video here.  We suspect we’ll see an across-the-industry encore in 2016, when the Crocodile Dundee movie celebrates its 30th anniversary.  Heads up Walla Walla Sweets (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League).  Couple this with a Walla Walla Wallabies  “What Could Have Been?” night!

Whitecaps Announce ‘Minion Night’

The West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) have scheduled “Minion Night” for Tuesday, June 16.  The first 1,000 kids (12 and under) through the gates will receive a Minion youth cap.  The night of fun and games will include Despicable Me Minions wandering the concourse throughout the game.  Learn more here.

Whitecaps Add Pankakes to Food Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Opening Day is tomorrow and the West Michigan Whitecaps are expanding their menu to highlight one of their newest players! Joey Pankake is a second baseman for the team and starting on Thursday, April 9, the Whitecaps Opening Day, fans can get “The Joey Pankakes.”

Whitecaps Announce 2015 New Food items, Fan Vote Winner

In addition to the “Hot-to-Tot” fan vote winner, the West Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A, Midwest League) have introduced several other new food items for 2015.  View items here with photos.

Whitecaps New Radio Team Announced

PRESS RELEASE – The West Michigan Whitecaps have hired Dan Hasty as the new radio play-by-play announcer for the Whitecaps.

Whitecaps Fan Food Voting Underway

PRESS RELEASE – Is your stomach grumbling? Read on and you will be. The sixth-annual fan voting contest to determine one of Fifth Third Ballpark’s next culinary delight starts today! The contest has produced some popular menu items at Whitecaps games, and this year promises to continue the tradition.

Once Again, Whitecaps Asking Fans to Submit Ideas for New Food Items

The Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League) today began soliciting ideas for new food items to be served at Fifth Third Ballpark for the 2015 season.  Read more here.  Submit your food ideas here.

Whitecaps, Tigers Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Detroit Tigers and West Michigan Whitecaps announce today that they have agreed to a two-year extension of their player development contract. The agreement will keep Tigers prospects playing at Fifth Third Ballpark through the 2020 season.

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.

Rebuilding the Whitecaps’ Fire-Damaged Home

Steve Mortensen, an executive general adjuster for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, provides an inside look at the process for rebuilding Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), after a raging fire damaged a large portion of the facility just three months before opening day.  Read more and view photos here.

Goo Goo Dolls & Daughtry to Co-Headline One Night of Three-Day Concert Series at Whitecaps Home

The Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry will co-headline one night of a three-day concert series at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League).  Read more here.  Go to ballpark website here.

New Clubhouse for Whitecaps

The Single-A West Whitecaps (Midwest League) on Thursday moved into their new clubhouse that had been under construction since a Jan. 3 fire destroyed the right-field concourse area.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

Whitecaps Open in Front of 7,128 at Restored Ballpark

PRESS RELEASE – For three months, the West Michigan community watched and waited as the West Michigan Whitecaps worked to rebuild Fifth Third Ballpark after a devastating fire in early January. On Tuesday, at long last, they finally reaped their rewards.

Restored Fifth Third Ballpark Ready for Home Opener

Hours after a massive fired ripped through a portion of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), team co-owner Denny Baxter vowed that the restored baseball stadium would be back hosting baseball in 2014. He meant what he said.  The Whitecaps home opener is on Tuesday, April 8, and the ballpark is looking great.  Read more and view photos here.  10 things to know here.

‘Auger Dogger’ Wins 2014 Whitecaps Food Vote

PRESS RELEASE – The votes have been counted, and the winner of the fifth annual Whitecaps food contest is the Auger Dogger! The deep-fried hot dog on a stick wrapped in spiral potato chips won the hearts and taste buds of Whitecaps fans, raking in 36% of the votes in the online contest.

Whitecaps Announce 2014 Ballpark Improvements

PRESS RELEASE – As the start of the 2014 baseball season fast approaches, the rebuilding process at Fifth Third Ballpark after the January 3 fire is well underway and on schedule to meet completion dates. In addition to rebuilding the first base concourse and suite level, the Whitecaps are also making several key improvements to the ballpark.

Whitecaps Ask Fans to Vote on New Concession Item

PRESS RELEASE – Hungry? Read on and you will be. The fifth-annual fan voting contest to determine Fifth Third Ballpark’s next culinary delight starts today – Tuesday, February 25. The contest has produced some popular menu items at Whitecaps games, and this year promises to continue the tradition.

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.

Whitecaps to Hold First Public Event at Fire-Damaged Ballpark

The Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League) will host an open house on Saturday, Feb. 15, to provide fans an opportunity to look at construction efforts at Fifth Third Ballpark.  It will be the first public event at the ballpark since a fire on Jan. 3 destroyed the first-base side of the structure and caused other damage.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

Whitecaps Announce Name the New Mascot Contest

PRESS RELEASE – We are asking fans to help decide the name of the latest fuzzy addition. This new furry friend will be a female River Rascal to go along with the Whitecaps main mascot Crash the River Rascal.

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:

Click here to learn more

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.

Fifth Third Ballpark Fire Report Released

The Plainfield Township (MI) Fire Department on Wednesday released a seven-page report that spelled out the cause of the blaze that destroyed part of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League).  The report confirmed that the fire was accidental and that the ballpark’s fire suppression system failed.  Read more here.

Fifth Third Ballpark Fired Caused Space Heater

For those who haven’t heard yet, the fire that destroyed a large section of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), was started by a space heater used by a work crew in one of the skybox suites.  Read more and watch news report 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.