Baseball in Peoria

Peoria Ballparks

| O'Brien Field | Vonachen Stadium |

O'Brien Field

O'Brien Field, home of the Peoria Chiefs, opened on May 24, 2002.

O'Brien Field hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game in 2005.

Source of Name: Paid sponsorship. O'Brien Automotive is a Peoria business. This sponsorship has expired and the Chiefs are seeking a replacement.

Directions

• Exit 93B on I-74 (Jefferson Avenue)
• West on Jefferson Ave. 7 blocks to ballpark (on left)

Or follow these directions on the Chiefs' website.

Ballpark Characteristics

  Left Center Right Seating
  310  400    310   7,500  (2002)

Park Effects

No information.

Attendance Record

  Year Attendance
  2002    254,407 (includes Vonachen Stadium attendance)
  2003    246,370
  2004    211,598
  2005    256,612
  2006    235,031
  2007    259,784
  2008    275,673*
  2009    219,168

Pete Vonachen Stadium at Meinen Field

originally Meinen Field

Vonachen Stadium hosted the Peoria franchise of the MWL from 1983 through early 2002. The stadium was near the campus of Bradley University and also hosted their baseball team. It was reconstructed--and renamed--after the 1991 season. The university has converted the ballpark to a soccer facility which is now known as Shea Stadium.

The ballpark was new in 1968; it had major reconstructions in 1982 and 1992 (the 1992 rebuild could be reasonably called a replacement as the entire grandstand was reconstructed and the Vonachen Stadium name was added).

Vonachen Stadium hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game in 1992.

Sources of Names: The stadium name honored Pete Vonachen, twice the owner of the Chiefs. John (Dutch) Meinen was Athletic Director and baseball coach at Bradley University.

Ballpark Characteristics

  Left Center Right Seating
  335  383    335   5,000  (1983)
  335  383    335   5,700  (1990)
  335  383    335   5,750  (1991)
  335  383    335   5,200  (1992)
  335  370    335   5,200  (1997)
  335  383    335   5,200  (1998)

Park Effects

The STATS 1998 Minor League Handbook indicates that Vonachen Stadium was fairly neutral about pitchers and hitters. This was easily the league's best park for hitting triples; homers were fairly difficult. (4 years' data.)

Attendance Record

  Year Attendance
  1983     84,765
  1984    116,473
  1985    165,053
  1986    179,183
  1987    195,832
  1988    207,294
  1989    225,757*
  1990    195,671
  1991    212,159
  1992    172,560
  1993    100,811
  1994    176,703
  1995    195,056
  1996    187,283
  1997    148,585
  1998    154,910
  1999    150,254
  2000    150,479
  2001    144,772
  2002             (partial season)