High Point Community Responds Well in First Year at BB&T Point
By: Harris Eisenberg
High Point- For the first time ever, professional baseball in High Point is in full swing.
The High Point Rockers of the independent league are about to wrap up their first season at
BB&T Point, High Point’s new baseball stadium, which opened in May, 2019.
The $36 million ballpark holds just under 4,000 people for baseball and has amenities like
lounges and luxury boxes. Also, the games are played on artificial turf, the only field in the
league to have this playing surface. As with any new ballpark in any town, people wonder how
having baseball in High Point will affect the community.
“There has been such a positive impact on the High Point community with the Inaugural Season
of the High Point Rockers and the opening of BB&T Point,” said Caroline Keating, who works
with the Rockers’ as their Corporate Partnership Growth & Fulfillment Manager. “The ballpark
has been a place for families to come together and enjoy each other.”
Like other ballparks in the independent league, BB&T Point was designed to be family friendly
with a “Kid’s Zone” and many social areas for parents to socialize and watch a game. An
obvious struggle for a first year ballpark and ballpark staff is trying to fill the seats with as many
people as possible. BB&T Point averaged 2,157 fans per game this season which ranked
second to last in the league.
As a High Point resident, Keating knows it will take a lot to bring the community together
around the ballpark. “We most certainly have a steep uphill climb as a community as we come
together and grow and develop this town.” she explains.
But without a doubt the biggest part of the High Point Community is High Point University and its
students. And although a majority of the baseball season is when school is not in session, the
ballpark has become a place where sports communication students can get professional
experience in their fields.
Recent graduate Kevin McMahon got to live out his dream job this summer of being the play by
play announcer for all 70 home games this season. “I’m really lucky” he said, “ I got very
comfortable working with professional players and became more experienced working in a
professional setting.”
Junior Dylan Linn is a Sport Communication major and spent his summer working as the
Rockers Technical Director for their home broadcast. “The Rockers have allowed me to get a
better understanding of what it is like to work in the professional world of sports” Linn said.
BB&T Point is the start of the Catalyst Project, a revitalization project of downtown High Point.
One of the leaders of the project is High Point University President Nido Qubein. High Point
residents have seen what he has done for the university and are thrilled that he is helping to
revitalize downtown High Point.
“Dr. Qubein is a very influential person in the community,” said Adam Crozier a High Point
citizen and active member of the High Point community, “the ballpark and the future surrounding
area just goes to show how much he cares about the city of High Point.”
The development of over six acres of land behind the ballpark began construction on Sept. 18.
Retail stores, a food hall, an apartment complex, and a parking deck are expected to be
completed at the end of 2020.
BB&T Point also plans to utilize the ballpark to host furniture market activities including a
concert which will be held in October.
High Point- For the first time ever, professional baseball in High Point is in full swing.
The High Point Rockers of the independent league are about to wrap up their first season at
BB&T Point, High Point’s new baseball stadium, which opened in May, 2019.
The $36 million ballpark holds just under 4,000 people for baseball and has amenities like
lounges and luxury boxes. Also, the games are played on artificial turf, the only field in the
league to have this playing surface. As with any new ballpark in any town, people wonder how
having baseball in High Point will affect the community.
“There has been such a positive impact on the High Point community with the Inaugural Season
of the High Point Rockers and the opening of BB&T Point,” said Caroline Keating, who works
with the Rockers’ as their Corporate Partnership Growth & Fulfillment Manager. “The ballpark
has been a place for families to come together and enjoy each other.”
Like other ballparks in the independent league, BB&T Point was designed to be family friendly
with a “Kid’s Zone” and many social areas for parents to socialize and watch a game. An
obvious struggle for a first year ballpark and ballpark staff is trying to fill the seats with as many
people as possible. BB&T Point averaged 2,157 fans per game this season which ranked
second to last in the league.
As a High Point resident, Keating knows it will take a lot to bring the community together
around the ballpark. “We most certainly have a steep uphill climb as a community as we come
together and grow and develop this town.” she explains.
But without a doubt the biggest part of the High Point Community is High Point University and its
students. And although a majority of the baseball season is when school is not in session, the
ballpark has become a place where sports communication students can get professional
experience in their fields.
Recent graduate Kevin McMahon got to live out his dream job this summer of being the play by
play announcer for all 70 home games this season. “I’m really lucky” he said, “ I got very
comfortable working with professional players and became more experienced working in a
professional setting.”
Junior Dylan Linn is a Sport Communication major and spent his summer working as the
Rockers Technical Director for their home broadcast. “The Rockers have allowed me to get a
better understanding of what it is like to work in the professional world of sports” Linn said.
BB&T Point is the start of the Catalyst Project, a revitalization project of downtown High Point.
One of the leaders of the project is High Point University President Nido Qubein. High Point
residents have seen what he has done for the university and are thrilled that he is helping to
revitalize downtown High Point.
“Dr. Qubein is a very influential person in the community,” said Adam Crozier a High Point
citizen and active member of the High Point community, “the ballpark and the future surrounding
area just goes to show how much he cares about the city of High Point.”
The development of over six acres of land behind the ballpark began construction on Sept. 18.
Retail stores, a food hall, an apartment complex, and a parking deck are expected to be
completed at the end of 2020.
BB&T Point also plans to utilize the ballpark to host furniture market activities including a
concert which will be held in October.
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