Hodgetown Debuts as Home of the First Amarillo Minor League Baseball Team in 37 Years

Hodgetown, the new ballpark for the Amarillo Sod Poodles, debuted as the home of the city’s first minor league baseball team in 37 years. Designed by Populous, the $45 million, 6,631-seat ballpark is located at the edge of downtown Amarillo and completes the city’s urban expansion, springing a new wave of opportunities to revitalize Amarillo’s downtown development. The ballpark itself is named after the city’s 26th Mayor and the local businessman, Jerry Hodge, who helped lead the charge to bring professional baseball back to Amarillo.

Drawing inspiration from Midwest art deco, the ballpark features materials found in surrounding hotels and nearby historic buildings. Portions of the masonry work and exterior space were inspired by the nearby Palo Duro Canyon. Hodgetown will serve as a premier multi-use destination in Amarillo and a new avenue for entertainment and hospitality for the region with a variety of premium experiences to choose from. In addition, the ballpark has the ability to host events and meetings like banquets, corporate meetings, weddings and concerts throughout the year.

Premium offerings at the ballpark include five dugout suites, group seating along the first and third baselines, outfield lounge areas and club suites. A 360-degree concourse connects the ballpark together, allowing fans to access every aspect of the gameday experience with ease. The all-new party deck, located in left field, is a new concept for minor league ballparks and features a bar and communal greenspace to gather and enjoy the game from a unique viewpoint. The patio suites, located just behind home plate, feature high-top tables, a drink rail and a porch-like viewing area for groups to enjoy the experience in an open environment.

“After nearly a decade of preparation, the most significant economic catalyst in downtown Amarillo in decades – “Hodgetown” – is a reality,” said Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson. “This is a beautiful facility that will serve as a centerpiece for increasing tourism and economic development for the entire Amarillo community.”

Populous has been reconnecting the game of baseball to the urban setting and contributing to the revitalization of city cores across the United States for 36 years. This includes Segra Park, home to the Columbia Fireflies and rewarded as the 2016 Ballpark of the Year by Ballpark Digest, and Segra Stadium, home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, which opens on April 18. For more information, visit our website or contact Kimberly Sanden.