Across the country, the landscape of America’s pastime is being reshaped. With 58 stadium and 27 arena projects at the collegiate level slated for completion in 2025 — that’s up from 53 and 19 the year prior — and a surge in minor league ballpark upgrades, we are currently amid a record wave of investment in baseball infrastructure. In fact, according to the Sports Business Journal, 2025 and 2026 will be the highest ballpark investment spending years in Minor League Baseball history at $572.2 million and $1 billion, respectively.
A big part of the reason for this investment is the previously instituted MLB facility standard requirements aimed to help ensure a consistent and safe environment for players, staff, and fans. For instance, per the facility standards, home and visiting clubhouses must be at least 1,000 SF, on-site weight rooms are required for player development, and player venues must have dedicated dining facilities. But beyond compliance, owners are seizing the opportunity to elevate the fan experience, integrate sustainability, and create venues that serve as economic catalysts.
At Barton Malow, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our approach combines deep sports construction expertise with a commitment to innovation, equity, and long-term value. Whether it’s a Division I university or an MLB spring training facility, we treat every project as a chance to build something bigger than the venue itself.
This current investment in baseball represents a key moment to redefine what these spaces mean for athletes, fans, and communities. The answer, we believe, lies in collaboration, creativity, and a focus on delivering spaces that inspire. This is evident in two baseball renovation projects on Florida’s Atlantic Coast: Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach is the oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball and, as the site where its namesake – the iconic Jackie Robinson – integrated baseball in the 1940s, it also holds historic value. We’re working closely with the City of Daytona Beach and its home ballclub, the Daytona Tortugas, to improve and modernize the venue while preserving its historic significance.
Roger Dean is unique in that it’s the spring training home to two MLB ballclubs as well as the home stadium to four minor league teams, meaning we’re collaborating with multiple stakeholders to ensure their wants and needs are met throughout construction.
Keep in mind these venues are more than just ballparks — they’re community anchors. They generate local jobs, attract tourism, and spark surrounding development. From enhanced accessibility to cutting-edge technology, today’s ballparks are being designed with tomorrow’s expectations in mind.
We’ve never missed an opening day yet and look forward to continuing to build the future of baseball.
About the Author: Len Moser serves as Vice President and Barton Malow’s National Sports Market Leader. He began his 30-plus-year career as a Project Engineer building Oriole Park at Camden Yards and has worked on transformative baseball projects including Truist Park (Atlanta Braves), Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros), PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates), as well as dozens of minor league and spring training facilities. A noted thought leader and relationship-builder, Len was named a 2020 Sports Business Journal “Power Player” and a 2024 VenuesNow All-Star.