Detroit Tigers fans — and aficionados of baseball history — have lamented the vacating of Tiger Stadium after the 1999 season. That feeling of loss was compounded when the ballpark was demolished in 2008.
The field is still available for use, thanks in large part to the efforts of organizations like The Navin Field Grounds Crew. Just last week, a new redevelopment proposal for the corner of Michigan and Trumbull was announced, pending approval by the Detroit City Council.
However, those who dreamed of someday seeing Tiger Stadium’s distinct upper deck and its right field overhang will now have an opportunity to see those architectural quirks come to life again. The Associated Press reports that the Ballparks of America project have announced plans to build replicas of four major league stadiums in Branson, Mo., a tourist destination known for musical productions and amusement parks.
In addition to Tiger Stadium, the project would include two-thirds scale versions of Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Busch Stadium upon which youth traveling baseball teams could play. According to Hamilton Chang, CEO of Ballparks in America, the replica ballparks could host as many as 48 teams from all around the country in weeklong tournaments during the summer and weekend tournaments in the spring and fall.
“We are trying to make it the Epcot Center of ballparks,” said Chang.
