For the first time, leaders in the City of Winchester are talking opening about bringing minor league baseball to Winchester. Plans have been in the works for six months now.

The Economic Development Authority is recommending that a stadium be built in the northeast corner of Jim Barnett Park near Interstate 81. The stadium would replace Bridgeforth Field. Three teams would play in the new stadium: the minor league team, Shenandoah University's baseball team, and Handley High School's baseball team.

The EDA is looking at about 12 acres of land in Jim Barnett Park, three of the acres would be used to construct the stadium, the rest would be for parking.

The project is expect to cost about 15 million dollars.

Since the new ballpark would be managed by the EDA, alcohol would be sold at games. The ballpark would not be a part of Jim Barnett Park.

No one would comment about what minor league team Winchester is trying to attract to the City.

Baseball wouldn't be the only activity going on in the new stadium. Jim Deskins, with the Economic Development Authority, says this would be an event center for concerts and other attractions.

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