New-look Indians

Yeah, it’s that time again.

Time for the boys of summer, who will soon arrive to Spokane mostly fresh out of college, to take the field at Avista Stadium – a perennial occurrence since the stadium was first built in 1958.

But when fans arrive for this year’s Northwest League season-opener in two weeks, they will notice more than the new faces, still to be determined, for this year’s short-season Class A Spokane Indians.

The Spokane County-owned stadium, now entering its fifth decade, has received a much-needed infrastructure makeover with the help of the $2 million grant from the state Legislature. A total of $7 million was granted by the state last fall, and was dispersed to the five minor league stadiums in Washington – Everett Memorial Stadium, Dust Devils Stadium (Tri-Cities), Yakima County Stadium, Cheney Stadium (Tacoma) and Avista – based on size and need.

With the state money granted to the County for the repairs, the concrete and bleachers in the right- and left-field stands were replaced, in-park concession stands were added in both sections and the center aisle of concrete throughout the stadium was replaced.

“I think fans will notice significant changes,” Indians senior vice president Otto Klein said. “The stadium is cleaner, safer and improvements have been made all around to make the stadium more comfortable. I think a lot of people are going to come out and say ‘Wow, something is different about this ballpark.’ “

Another major upgrade is the handicapped seating along first and third base that was doubled, Klein said.

“With these fixes we have truly improved the feel of the stadium,” Klein said. “We had a big need for more handicapped seating and we’re happy to provide that.”

The Indians, owned by Brett Sports since 1985, will also pour in their own money for anything that goes beyond the allotted $2 million to add a Rim of Honor in the panels along the top railing of the stadium. The project will feature former Indians and will be unveiled in a ceremony on opening day along with a small museum that will highlight the history of the Spokane Tribe, which the team worked with to come up with the new design for the Indians’ logo.

Klein estimates the stadium still needs $4 million worth of repairs, which will be cut in half when the state disperses the other $2 million installment it has already granted for 2008. That money will go towards replacing the rest of the concrete, Klein said.

“There are still needs – the clubhouses, the ticket office and other facilities throughout still need to be improved – but I think its neat the state has agreed to do this, there was a great need.”

Besides putting the finishing touches on construction, the Indians next order of business will be to watch the MLB first-year player draft – which for the first time in its history will be aired live from Orlando, Fla., on ESPN2 beginning Thursday at 11 a.m. PST.

The Texas Rangers have five of the first 54 picks in this year’s draft – with the 16th overall selection in the first round – and players will be assigned over the course of the next week. The Indians have received the Rangers top picks in the draft for the last four years.

The Indians open their 2007 season on June 19 for a five-game homestand with the Eugene Emeralds.