Monday, April 6th, 2038

While construction started after the end of the 2037 season, the renovations for two new 500 seat luxury outfield seating areas have been completed at Mercer County Waterfront Park. This puts the park at a seating capacity of 65,000 Hitmen fans. The finishing touches were completed just in time for their 4-game series against the Florida Farstriders who are coming into New Jersey on a rare 4-game losing streak at the hands of the London Underground.

New Jersey set a new franchise attendance record last season with 4,357,957 in attendance, beating out their previous record of 4,188,852 set in 2017. These updates, along with more coming this next offseason are aimed to continue to attract more fans to the great stadium within New Jersey.

Built into the left field outfield wall, the new ‘Bow-Tie Lounge’ is an ultra-swanky whiskey bar with floor to ceiling windows showing the action from left field. The lounge is more laid back with leather seating areas made for dining and custom beverages while you enjoy the game, as well as high top and bar seating. Don’t worry if you don’t manage to get a coveted, and expensive, glass seat, the lounge also comes equipped with 30 large, yet tastefully placed, tv screens to make sure no one misses out on the action, while not lessening the atmosphere of the swanky lounge.

The right field also received a nice outdoor area, labeled the ‘Bespoke Bowler’ for its large black umbrellas shaped like bowler hats, which can sit 500 individuals in a custom area back in right field that is more about the experience, and less about the view. While tv screens will keep you apprised of the game, this is truly an area made to relax outdoors and enjoy more custom drinks and a nice cigar. The more secluded area allowed for some loopholes to be met, allowing for the highly monitored smoking experience within the stadium. Extra care was taken to ensure other stadium goers would not be subjected to the cigar smoke or smells.

These new high-end seating areas we are told are part of the new marketing plans by owner Bernardo Antollini to bring in a higher class of clientele and fans to the Hitmen stadium. There are even rumblings of more changes to come this next offseason as the franchise continues to replant itself within PEBA and bring eyes back to New Jersey.

More news will come as the season progresses as Antollini stays busy looking for new marketing for the home of the Hitmen.

– Lee Kohler, PEBAlmanac Contributor: Former New Jersey Hitmen IF, @alleatherKohler