Bringing Communities Together One Stadium at a Time: Part 2

This post is part of a series sponsored by Old Republic Surety.

In the second part of our two-part article, we see how Sean Rummel’s love of baseball and surety came together in a Georgia stadium project. We also visit a few other baseball surety projects, and share more interesting trivia about the baseball stadiums whose project owners rely on surety bonds. You can read part one here.

Building or renovating a local baseball field can be a multi-million-dollar project with much more complicated and nuanced needs than typical property developments. Specialized experience is critical to ensuring these projects are completed on time and within budget.

Community-Minded Approach, continued from part 1

Old Republic Bond Manager Sean Rummel worked on a $3.1 million bond for the development of a 22-acre raw land site ― which would include the construction of walking paths, multi-purpose fields, event lawn parking lot, restrooms and concession stands ― located in Cherokee County, Georgia, in 2013.

Early in the project’s progress, problems were revealed in the drawings and scope: The property was on a floodplain in which irrigation, elevation and other difficulties arose. On top of these issues, the council wanted to add additional scopes ― including a bridge over the nearby river, lighting, trails and playgrounds ― that were not in the original plans, but wanted to increase the budget only slightly.

Because they had a close relationship, Old Republic worked to help the contractor successfully resolve the situation with the project owner so the job could be finished without additional expense to the owner.

“This issue, along with the scope additions, came up mid-project, so we had to come together to develop a resolution. That’s one of the things you don’t have control over,” Rummel said. “That relationship aspect is key for surety ― meeting face-to-face, and understanding the processes ― there’s a lot to it.”

Local stadiums are important to their communities, Rummel said, so it is imperative the work is done right, completed on time and within a municipality’s budget.

“It’s rewarding for a contractor to be able to hang their hat on these projects and know the community will benefit from it,” he said.

Completed Stadium Bonds by Old Republic

Baseball field renovations at Coral Reef Park in the Village of Palmetto, Fla., near Miami.

• Contractor: Ballpark Maintenance Inc.
• Agent: Security Bond Associates Inc., Miami
• Date completed: January 21, 2022
• Bond Amount: $394,756

Signage at Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati

• Capacity: 42,319
• Contractor: Gus Holthaus Signs
• Agent: CIC Agency
• Date completed: 2018
• Bond Amount: $218,995

Contractor masonry work on concession stand upgrades for Milwaukee Brewer’s Miller Park in Milwaukee

• Capacity: 41,900
• Contractor: KMI Construction LLC
• Agent: The Brehmer Agency Inc.
• Date completed: May 2017
• Bond Amount: $517,822

Baseball and softball field additions at California State University, Fullerton, Goodwin Field ― structural steel and metal decking (press box, concessions, bleachers, and dugout)

• Capacity: 3,500
• Contractor: Agate Steel Inc.
• Agent: INSURICA Southwest
• Date completed: Spring 2022
• Bond Amount: $848,761

Baseball Stadium Facts

• The first “official” baseball field opened in 1862 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Fee for entry was 10 cents and the first game was played on April 18, 1869, with local players.
• The oldest professional baseball stadium is Fenway Park in Boston. The first game played there by the Boston Red Sox was on April 20, 1912, just days after the sinking of the Titanic.
• Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, features a cable-supported roof that is 225 feet above second base and 85 feet above the centerfield wall. The entrance is five stories tall and 80 feet wide with a restaurant for 350 people. A special coating over the windows makes it invisible to batters.
• Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa., is the largest and oldest Little League Baseball stadium, with capacity for 45,000 people. It is one of the main stadiums where the Little League Baseball World Series is played.

The Seattle Mariners will host the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.