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Rent One Park /
Southern Illinois Miners
| Year Opened | 2007 |
| Capacity | 4,000 seats plus berm seating |
| Architect | 360 Architecture |
| Dimensions | 320L, 392LC, 400C, 375RC, 375R |
| Playing Surface | Sportexe synthetic turf |
| Last Visit | 2007 |
| Web Site | southernillinoisminers.com |
| Online Broadcasts | Yes |
| Online Ticket Sales | Yes |
| Phone | 618/998-8499 |
| Ticket Prices (2008) | Box seats, $8; Reserved, $6; General Admission, $4 |
| League | Frontier League |
| Level | Independent |
| Parking | $2. There is an enormous lot beside the ballpark. |
| Directions | I-57 to exit #54 A onto IL-13 East. Make a right at the first stop light; the ballpark is located on the right. |
| Written by: | Dustin Mattison |
| Rating |   |
It has become very clichéd, but it holds very true for Rent One Park and the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League: "Build it, and they will come." The people of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri have come and keep coming. The Miners broke the Frontier League attendance record after only 43 games with eight home games remaining.
The ballpark is conveniently located off of I-57 in the small town of Marion, Illinois, former prison home of John Gotti and Pete Rose. With the way the people have responded to Miner baseball, maybe the town will be less known for its prison and more for its affection for baseball.
Rent One Park features an open concourse extending down the line in left field, wrapping around the right-field fence to stop just short of the centerfield batter’s eye. The ballpark's bowl-style seating is 15 rows deep so no matter the seat, so fans feel on top of the action. One of the nice perks is that some of the seats are padded -- something especially nice during extra innings. Several concession stands, called canteens here, are located along the concourse. Also located along the concourse are pictures of the mines and those who worked the mines of the area, the inspiration for the team’s name.
The multi-tiered picnic area is located down the right-field line and offers a great view of the action. Above the concourse are 14 luxury suites. The original plan called for only eight but demand was so great that the Miners’ kept adding and stopped with 14 when the architects could fit no more into the plans. The luxury boxes feature plasma televisions, catered food and nice outdoor as well as indoor seating. The lease on the suites is for five years, and all have been leased. Also located upstairs is the beginning of a 250-seat banquet area that General Manager Tim Arseneau says will be the biggest in the area. Arseneau sees it as a great revenue source during the offseason.
Concessions are basic but very affordable. Old
ballpark standards such as hotdogs, brats, and
nachos can be found. Alas, chicken tenders is
about as exotic as the menu choices allow. The
Bullpen Bar & Grille is located beyond the picnic
seating and offers a wider variety of adult
beverages and hamburgers. The lines were long, but
the staff was efficient and lines moved quickly. A
team store is located along the concourse and
offers the basics such as hats and T-shirts. The
store was crowded throughout the game, as the
people of southern Illinois can’t seem to get
enough of their local team.
One of the most interesting parts of Rent One Park is the playing surface, which is synthetic turf from Sportexe. Let me clarify -- the whole field is synthetic turf. No dirt, just synthetic turf. Arseneau informed me that the surface has already saved several games this season from rainouts. Also, with little to no upkeep, local high schools will be able to use the facility as well as being the new home field for John A. Logan, a local community college. Also, Arseneau says there are plans to host concerts in the future.
The scoreboard is basic, but there is a nice videoboard. The Miners use major-league-like player intros to introduce the players to the fans. The video board is used for over-the-top advertising as well. If a Miner player drives in a run, expect that player to come over the videoboard and announce, "Another run driven in and sponsored by.." a local business. Under the videoboard is the right-field wall that is jam-packed with advertiser billboards. Arseneau informed me those were sold on a three-year lease, and I didn’t see where the team could fit another billboard.
As with most independent teams, between-inning contests are over the top and plentiful. An overzealous announcer keeps the crowd informed of the "Strikeout Player of the Night" and other contest happenings. I found the Strikeout Player interesting. A player off the opposing team was selected and if that player struck out, the crowd got a discounted shoe rental at a local bowling alley.
A large play area is located behind the berm down the left-field line. It is as large as any one will find outside of an amusement park with plenty of inflatable slides and obstacle courses. The charge is $5 and the kids can play all night. The play area sits on the same synthetic turf you find on the field so kids can kick their shoes off with no worries.
A local restaurant named the 17th Street Bar and Grill opened a new location right outside of the ballpark. For those of you who are barbeque fans, Bon Appetit magazine named their ribs as the best in the United States. There is also a brand new hotel across the street from Rent One Park. A little farther west is the Illinois Centre Mall and a wide variety of restaurants.
So,
outside of the whole field being synthetic turf, what
sets Rent One Park apart from most other Minor
League Parks? The fans. Fans are enthusiastic and
well informed. When the PA announcer starts
playing AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck," fans jump to
their feet with loud applause and clap along until
the Miners take the field. When the team hits the
field, the crowd erupts and cheers on their
hometown Miners. It may have been the first season
for the Miners, but there is no doubt that
Southern Illinois has taken ownership of the team.
Throughout the game, the crowd stay attentive and
cheer loudly when "their team" makes a good play.
It is an atmosphere that can rival any in the
minors. The enthusiasm of the crowd is worth the
price of admission.
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