Truist Field is a Triple-A minor league baseball stadium located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Formerly known as BB&T BallPark and fondly called Uptown Ballpark, it is home to the Charlotte Knights, which plays in the International League. The impressive design of Truist Field optimizes its size constraints through more socializing space and allowing a stunning view of Charlotte’s skyline. There are many exciting features, including a 360-degree concourse, that enable baseball fans to enjoy every moment in Truist Field.

The History

Griffith Park was the original home of the Charlotte Knights. After a 1985 fire destroyed it, the Knights looked for a new ballpark while continuing to play at a makeshift stadium. In 1990, the Triple-A team moved to Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, South Carolina. About 30 minutes from Charlotte and across the state border, the ballpark struggled to attract team fans. Following dwindling attendance, the Knights sought to return to Uptown Charlotte. Though they reached agreements with the city council, and Mecklenburg County by 2005, a spate of lawsuits by real estate attorney Jerry Reese blocked the construction. Baseball fans supported the stadium claiming that it could help in returning the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament to the city.

But Jerry was afraid that a minor league ballpark could end the chance of Charlotte getting a Major League Baseball team and this would end his dream of making more money from the real estate in the city. From opposing land swaps to using public funds, he filed seven lawsuits against the City of Charlotte to block any new stadium for the Knights. The construction of Truist Field began only after the lawsuits were dismissed in 2010. It resulted in the process to construct the new ballpark gaining momentum.

With the groundbreaking of Truist Field on September 14, 2012, at a former railway depot, the Charlotte Knights took a tangible step to return to Uptown Charlotte.

Opening and Naming Rights

Truist Field opened to the public on March 22, 2014, following an Annual Media Softball game. The first formal professional baseball game took place on April 11, 2014, when the Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights 8-6.

Baseball fans and ardent supporters of the Charlotte Knight call the stadium as Uptown ballpark. But the original name was BB&T ballpark. In April 2012, Winston-Salem-based Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) bought the naming rights for an undisclosed sum. In 2019, SunTrust Bank and BB&T merged to form Truist Financial Corporation. Thus, BB&T ballpark became Truist Field on June 11, 2020. This newly created 10th largest US bank with 2,700 branches in 15 states also holds the naming rights of Truist Park, the home of the MLB franchise Atlanta Braves.

Design and Features

Truist Field is endowed with some exceptional features that make visitors spellbound at the first glance. This LEED Silver baseball stadium exemplifies modern and technology-inspired sports buildings. It featurs well-planned urban design, landscape architecture, traffic engineering, and off-site roadway services. The baseball stadium’s interior is built to increase attendance.

Truist Field features a tapered roof combined with a fan-friendly interior. This allows a fantastic experiences for its visitors in both summer and winter. Designers paid a great deal of attention to colors and building materials to build the ballpark in sync with its urban surrounding.

The sloping ‘bowl-like” design allows everyone in the stadium to see the field from each corner and feel the energy in the game. In short, Truist Field is an impressive addition to the list of AAA stadiums with its smart design. Truist Field has entryways on its three corners. The southwest corner is kept without a gate to build a flat 360° concourse. Its main entry plaza is ornately decorated with brickwork and gas lamps. There is ample space to stand around and socialize.

Concessions and Facilities

Truist Field has club seating at two levels with an incredible skyline view. These, including, the air-conditioned VIP club, have full-service bars. The Lower concourse offers fixed seats along with grass-berm seating, a glass-enclosed press box, a picnic area for 300, and other modern amenities. Its upper level boasts a private club, premium suites, restaurants, and other group seating areas. There are 975 club seats and 22 luxury suites at Truist Field. The stadium’s seats are all painted in green with added comfort on the bleachers. The stair railings and the infield fencing are HDG secured to keep the railings free from rust, corrosion, and maintenance for over 50 years. Likewise, the exposed structural elements of the stadium are coated with a universal primer.

Truist Field has a 700-standing-capacity Home Run Porch next to the right field. Adjacent to it are drink counters. The glass-enclosed Home Plate Club is for season-ticket holders. This ballpark is home to the Diamonds Direct Luxury Lounge, one of the most luxurious clubs and banquet halls in the Triple A. Truist Field also has two party decks, group-sitting facilities near the left-center field, and a souvenir store.

Purely Baseball Things To Know

• The inaugural game at Truist Field was a media softball game. It was the first game of the 2014 Annual Media Softball games.
• The first Triple-A baseball game witnessed one home run and three RBIs.
• Truist Field was the venue for the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game.
• In 2019, it hosted six college baseball games.
• The 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament was held at Truist Field.
• The ballpark is hitter friendly and has the best home-run factor in the minor league.
• The 2013 season was the worst for the Charlotte Knights with the lowest Triple-A attendance at Fort Mill. In 2014, they topped the minor league attendance after moving to Truist Field.
• 75% of the construction cost was paid by the Charlotte Knights.
• On July 4, 2018, the home team beat the Durham Bulls 4-2 riding on Mason Robbins’ two home runs and one RBI before 10,831 fans.