NWA Life

40 • nwa life • 3.29.2020 For professional baseball action, the Arkansas Naturals hit it out of the park! One of the best opportunities to enjoy professional sports in Northwest Arkansas is our very own minor league baseball team. Since debuting as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2008, the AA baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals continues to grow in popularity around the region. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based in Springdale. The team is a member of the Texas League, and serves as the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at Arvest Ballpark, which opened in 2008 and is located at the intersection of Gene George Boulevard and Watkins Avenue. The team relocated from Wichita, Kansas, in 2008, where they were known as the Wichita Wranglers. The team's nickname plays off the state's nickname as the "Natural State," as well as the Robert Redford film, The Natural. The Naturals name was chosen after receiving 33 percent of the votes in an online fan poll, beating the second-place choice, Thunder Chickens, by six percent. The Thunder Chickens moniker was a nod to Springdale-based Tyson Foods, which is the nation's largest supplier of poultry products, and to the region's poultry industry. Every season, the team embraces the Thunder Chickens brand for a single game with matching uniforms and merchandise. The Naturals had early success, advancing to the playoffs in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the Naturals won the North Division title, but lost in the Texas League championship series to the Midland RockHounds. In 2010, the Naturals swept the first and second-half titles, won the North Division title for a second straight year, and avenged their loss to Midland in 2009, winning the Texas League title in a 3–1 series victory over the RockHounds. On June 8, 2008, pitcher Jeff Fulchino became the first former Natural to play in Major League Baseball, throwing a scoreless inning in relief during a 6–3 Royals loss to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Arvest Ballpark was designed by Populous out of its Kansas City, Missouri, office. It cost $33 million to build, while the rest of the $50 million approved by Springdale voters went toward road and infrastructure improvements. The stadium seats 6,500, but additional berm areas allow a maximum capacity of about 7,800. Today, fans flock to the ballpark to watch the team play 70 home games each season. For good reason: They're winners. The Naturals have made the playoffs seven times in 10 seasons and have won a Texas League Championship. Their title season was in 2010. That team featured current Royals' stars Mike Moustakas for the first-half of the year along with Danny Duffy for the second half of the season, according to Naturals management. Attendance is steady with 284, 829 fans attending games during the season. The Naturals show no sign of slowing down, or going anywhere. The game experience includes activities for families and kids, giveaways and affordable concessions. On the field, the team has a history of fielding future Major League stars. "A lot of the Royals top prospects make their way through here," Justin Cole, vice president and general manager of the team said. "Some of the players who were on their world championship team (in 2015) played here. There were 13 players of the 25 on their championship team roster who played in Northwest Arkansas. If they play well here they are on their way to the major leagues." Go to facebook.com/naturals to learn more about the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for a game schedule and promotions. " " A lot of the Royals top prospects make their way through here. Justin Cole Vice President and General Manager Northwest Arkansas Naturals CONTINUED ON 43

• Cover