Fluor Field, Greenville SC – credit Thomson 200, Wikimedia Commons

From a charming South Carolina city comes the story of how a local institution of the National Pastime became a keystone of community and history.

A hub of the local recreational economy, Fluor Field is home to the Greenville Drive, the minor league affiliate team of the Boston Red Socks.

That affiliation would leave any visiting Bostonians feeling somewhat at home—perhaps because of the giant left-field wall reminiscent of Fenway Park’s own famous Green Monster.

As well as having a monster wall, Fluor Field has had a monster impact on the local economy, one that’s estimated to have generated $300 million over its nearly 20 seasons of baseball.

Built by big out-of-state money, the only thing that’s corporate about it is the corporation it’s formed between itself and the city—part of an ambitious project which helped revitalize a struggling, seedy, and scary part of Greenville’s downtown west area.

“Fluor Field has become the front porch of the community. In the South, the front porch is where the family gathers. That’s very much how we operate the place,” Craig Brown, a former Manhattan advertising executive who owns both the park and the team, told CBS News for its ‘Eye on America’ segment.

Roughly 500,000 people pass through the park’s gates every year for High-A baseball games and other events. Reflecting Greenville’s rich history in the American automobile industry, the team name ‘Drive’ also pays homage to the BMW US Manufacturing and Michelin locations in the area.

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Since Brown bought the team, fans have enjoyed the gifts of passing alumni like pitcher Clay Buckholtz, who went on to play 5 seasons for the Red Socks, Anthony Rizzo, a power hitter and 3x All Star who helped the Cubs win their coveted World Series title in 2016, and potential Hall of Famer Mookie Betts, who in 2018 became the first player in MLB history to win the MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series all in the same season.

But the team and the beautiful ballpark they play in do more than just carry the flag for a city four states away.

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Following the closure of several textile mills which had played a major role in the Greenville economy during the 20th century, Fluor Field repurposed much of the old building features and materials, not least among which were the clay bricks using to built much of the stadium and buildings, as a means of keeping the city’s heritage intact.

“This was the transformational event. Suddenly, this area close into the stadium became a place for condos and some high rises and hotels. But beyond it, residential neighborhoods were transformed, as well,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White.

WATCH the story below from CBS… 

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