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River Falls Baseball Council outlines stadium use, proposes 30x36-foot video scoreboard
Summary
The River Falls Baseball Council told the City Council that First National Bank of River Falls Field hosts hundreds of events annually, generates an estimated $1.3 million in visitor spending and plans to install a 30-by-36-foot video scoreboard funded by sponsorship leases.
The River Falls Baseball Council presented its annual report to the River Falls City Council, outlining stadium history, community programming and a proposal to install a 30-by-36-foot video scoreboard funded by lease sponsorships.
The council heard that since opening in 2014 the First National Bank of River Falls Field has hosted roughly 500 events a year, about 300 of which are games or practices, and that the field draws out-of-town rentals and college teams. The RFBC estimates visitor spending tied to those events at about $1,300,000 annually using the Wisconsin Department of Tourism visitor formula.
Nate Sherman, a member of the River Falls Baseball Council, told the council the field was conceived in 2011, opened in 2014 and received field turf in 2020 with a grant from the Major League Baseball Players Association. He said the turf increased use and accessibility, enabling programs such as Challenger League games for people with disabilities, youth and adult leagues, college rentals and other community events.
Sherman said the RFBC counts about 500 events annually, roughly 300 games and practices, about 100 rentals per year and around 3,000 visiting players, coaches and trainers tied to those rentals (not including fans). He said the University of Wisconsin–River Falls will play home games at the field starting March 29, with the university handling any admission charges for its games.
On future investments, the RFBC proposed replacing the stadium scoreboard with a 30-by-36-foot video board that would display advertising and sponsor messages. Sherman said roughly 12,000 vehicles pass the field daily and 5,000 use the nearby exit, and that revenue from a scoreboard lease would be used to pay the scoreboard off within five years or less and create a revenue stream for turf replacement and other maintenance.
Council members asked the RFBC to check compliance with local sign ordinances and state regulations before proceeding with a scoreboard that could be visible from the highway. Sherman said the RFBC will produce a sponsorship packet and provided a general contact email for the council: riverfallsbaseballcouncil@gmail.com.
The presentation emphasized volunteer contributions and community programming, including nonprofit concession nights, music and graduation events and the Challenger League. The RFBC said it has met obligations on its construction loan, which the city cosigned, and said it expects to continue meeting those obligations.
The presentation drew no formal council action; council members thanked the volunteers and asked the RFBC to follow sign rules and to share contact information with potential partners.
Sherman and the RFBC members closed by asking for continued partnership with the city as they pursue scoreboard sponsorships and long-term maintenance funding.
