Travelers celebrate ballpark anniversary with walk-off thriller
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Twenty years ago today, a pivotal vote laid the groundwork for a new era of baseball in central Arkansas. On August 9, 2005, voters approved a temporary sales tax that provided the foundation for Dickey-Stephens Park, the home of the Arkansas Travelers and a cornerstone of the city’s revitalization.
A Community Celebration, 20 Years in the Making
The legacy of that vote was on full display Saturday night. Thousands packed the stadium, now known as CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park, creating a scene that perfectly captured the community spirit. Kids lined up for pictures with real-life versions of Bluey and Bingo, while on the field, five of the top 100 prospects in baseball, including shortstop Colt Emerson and switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, were on display.
The Vote That Built A Ballpark
On that day in Aug. 2005, the vote passed with a 54.3% margin, paving the way for the construction of the $40.4 million ballpark, the first new home for the Travs since 1932.
The project was largely funded by the public, with the temporary 1% sales tax generating $28 million. The remaining funds were secured through a significant private contribution from local businessman Warren Stephens, who not only donated the 11.6-acre plot of land but also contributed an additional $440,494.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Since opening on April 12, 2007, the stadium named after brothers Bill and George "Skeeter" Dickey, and Witt and Jack Stephens, has been named Ballpark of the Year, hosted packed crowds and countless future MLB stars. From Travelers alumni like Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Mike Trout to visiting future stars Fernando Tatis Jr., Bobby Witt Jr. and Alex Bregman, the stadium has brought premier talent to central Arkansas.
A Huge Blessing to the City of North Little Rock
With its dog days, theme nights, bobblehead giveaways and fireworks on and off the field, in the 20 years since this historic vote Dickey-Stephens Park has drawn in countless tourists to the city and made a huge impact as the gem of North Little Rock.
“We definitely would be a very different place if we didn't have the Travelers with us, so we're very thankful to have them here, for them to call this city home,” Everett Gaither, Senior Marketing Manager for North Little Rock Tourism said. “The Travelers are just a huge blessing to the city of North Little Rock.”
A Walk-Off Win Capping a Historic Day
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The lineup card for a game on Aug. 9, 2025 between the Arkansas Travelers and Frisco RoughRiders -
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje warming up before a game on Aug. 9, 2025 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock -
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje on the mound during a game on Aug. 9, 2025 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock -
Bluey themed shirts in the Arkansas Travelers team store at Dickey-Stephens Park showcasing five of the top 100 prospects in MLB as of Aug 9, 2025.
The Travs capped the historic day with a dramatic, much-needed walk-off 6-5 win in extra innings thanks to a single by Blake Rambusch that drove in two runs. In his Double-A debut, Cijntje struck out four in five innings pitched and Emerson hit a three-run bomb, his first with the Travs.
From a bold vote to a dramatic walk-off win, the legacy of that decision 20 years ago remains strong. As the Travelers continue their playoff push, the enduring success of Dickey-Stephens Park stands as a testament to what a community can achieve when it invests in a project that is truly pure: its love of the game.
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