AROUND AVISTA

There have been plenty of upgrades and renovations to Avista Stadium over the past few seasons as the Spokane Indians organization and Spokane County – owners of the 67-year-old facility – fulfilled requirements to remain compliant with MLB’s Player Development Contract each affiliate had to sign after the restructuring of the minor leagues a few years ago.

The next time you step into Avista Stadium as a fan, it might feel a little different. Some ways will be obvious – some not so much.

Things are going to look a little different the next time you go to a Spokane Indians game at Avista Stadium.

Multimillion-dollar offseason renovations will give Avista Stadium a new look for players and fans when the Spokane Indians open their season Friday night.

Workers at Avista Stadium recently started preparing for a series of major renovations that will not only modernize the 65-year-old county-owned facility, but ensure that baseball affiliated with the major leagues will stay in Spokane for future generations.

The Spokane Indians have played professional baseball since 1908, and evenings at Avista Stadium have been a staple of summer for generations of fans.

For 12 seasons, Brad Bishop sprinted full-speed across the Spokane Indians baseball field, did handstands and joked with fans in farcical superhero persona – all to make ballpark recycling fun. This year, Recycleman's booming voice and top-of-the-dugout gymnastics are missing. Bishop has ended his stint as a mascot performer, mostly because the demands of his job as an applied behavior analyst.

Brats, beer and baseball returned Wednesday to Avista Stadium as the Spokane Indians embark on their longest season in 40 years.

The campaign, supported by STCU, Innovia Foundation, KHQ-TV and The Spokesman-Review, will build financial support and awareness for the newly created Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund.

The pandemic has postponed many events the past 15 months. On Thursday, one was finally able to proceed – despite the wind and rain showers.

Levi Weber has big shoes to fill. And he knows it. As turf manager of the Spokane Indians, there are not-so-subtle reminders everywhere about the excellence he’s expected to uphold – the finest field in the Northwest League.