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Thomas More Stadium

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Coordinates: 38°58′56″N 84°38′19″W / 38.982156°N 84.638479°W / 38.982156; -84.638479
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Y'alls Ballpark
Map
Former namesChampion Window Field (2004–2012), UC Health Stadium (2013–2020)
Address7950 Freedom Way
Florence, KY 41042
Coordinates38°58′56″N 84°38′19″W / 38.982156°N 84.638479°W / 38.982156; -84.638479
Capacity4,500
Surfaceartificial turf
Opened2004 (2004)
Tenants
Florence Y'alls (FL) 2004–present
Northern Kentucky Norse (NCAA) 2006–2008

Y'alls Ballpark is a stadium in Florence, Kentucky. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Florence Y'alls of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league. It originally opened in 2004 as Champion Window Field and holds 4,500 people.[1]

On November 27, 2012, the then-named Florence Freedom announced that UC Health, the healthcare system of the University of Cincinnati, had signed a 10-year naming rights deal, giving the ballpark its UC Health Stadium name.[2] In May 2021, it was reported that the team was looking for a new naming rights partner after UC Health dropped its sponsorship, and that the team would be using the name Y'alls Ballpark for their home field.[3][4]

History

2004 ownership scandal

In July 2004, shortly after the opening of Champion Window Field, contractors began filing liens against the Florence Freedom, accusing the team of not paying for work done on the stadium. Eventually, 33 liens totaling $4.7 million were filed. In August, Fifth Third Bank sued team part-owner Chuck Hildebrant for failing to repay multiple loans taken out to finance the stadium construction. As part of the lawsuit, it was revealed that Hildebrant had used 204 acres (0.83 km2) of land that he did not own as collateral for the loans, and that he had given the bank a forged document as proof of ownership.[5] Hildebrant was later the subject of a federal white collar crime investigation and sentenced to prison in October 2005.[6] The team was sold in November 2004 to a new ownership group led by Clint Brown, who was not associated with Hildebrant's ownership group.[7]

2020 Rebranding

In October 2019, the Florence Freedom announced that there would be a name change before the upcoming season in 2020. There were five name possibilities; the Go-Goettas, Fossil Jockeys, Pop Flies, No Sox, and the chosen name, the Yall's. The name Yall's was inspired by a water tower in Florence, Kentucky that has the words "Florence Y'all" written across it.

Other uses

From 2006 to 2008, the Northern Kentucky Norse baseball team, then of NCAA Division II, moved from on-campus Bill Aker Baseball Complex to play its home schedule at Champion Window Field.[8][9][10]

Available for college teams to utilize. Yall's Ballpark is currently home to the Mount Saint Josephs University Lions.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Champion Window Field". BallParkReviews.com. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  2. ^ Hansel, Mark (November 27, 2012). "UC inks stadium naming deal with Florence Freedom". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  3. ^ Watkins, Steve (May 25, 2021). "Florence Y'alls seeking naming rights sponsor for stadium". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  4. ^ Engel, Liz (May 26, 2021). "Five things you need to know today, and the worst summer job ever". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Edwards, Jennifer; Kelly, Brenna R. (September 14, 2004). "Family suing Freedom owner". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013.
  6. ^ "Former team owner sentenced to five years over loans". FortWayne.com. Associated Press. October 21, 2005. Archived from the original on October 27, 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Peale, Cliff (November 3, 2004). "Florence Freedom has a deal". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012.
  8. ^ "Amateur Baseball Schedule at Champion Window Field Announced". OurSportsCentral.com (Press release). March 25, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  9. ^ "Bellarmine vs. Northern Kentucky Box Score". Athletics.Bellarmine.edu. Bellarmine Sports Information. April 5, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  10. ^ Mulcahey, Matt (February 4, 2006). "NKU Baseball Slides into New Home". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  11. ^ "Current Home of the Mount Saint Joseph University Lions".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Events and tenants
Preceded by Host of the FL All-Star Game
Champion Window Field
2007 		Succeeded by


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