One thing I’ve always wanted to do here on MBIP is go to a Peoria Chiefs game at Dozer Park. I’ve never been to Dozer Park and so tonight that’s where we’re going! The Peoria Chiefs are playing against the Clinton LumberKings, so come along as MBIP takes you out to the ballgame!
Here we are at Dozer Park in downtown Peoria. I’ve driven by here many times but have yet to visit it so I’m excited about tonight! Once inside we were greeted by Dody the receptionist who showed us her cool tattoo! She’s really nice and knows my cousin Margaret (who’s also known as Peggy.) So if you happen to be reading this, Margaret, Dody says, “hi!”
Here’s Rocky Vonachen, President and owner of the Peoria Chiefs. Rocky and I went to high school together and he offered to give us a tour around Dozer Park before the game begins...
And so it’s off we go!
The first stop is the Converse Club which is a nice room with a bar and tables to relax in before and during the game. This room is available to people who are season ticket holders. Note the obligatory mirror shot in the second photo, I love it when that happens!
There’s suites on this floor that you can rent out for parties of up to 15 people. The rooms are really comfortable and each one has a deck that has a great view of the ballpark.
This is the most special suite of the bunch, it’s called Pete’s Perch and it’s filled with articles and memorabilia about Rocky’s dad, Pete Vonachen, the original owner of The Peoria Chiefs. (Note that the MBIP camera fuzzed out the top photo...HATE the MBIP camera!)
Rocky showed me another tribute to Pete here in the ballpark, it’s a sculpture of Pete with a child and he’s offering him a baseball. This is a wonderful sculpture done by local artist Lonnie Stewart.
The last stop on the tour is the Third Base Party Deck which can be rented out for parties. Thanks to Rocky for this behind the scenes tour!
Here’s the Peoria Chiefs gift shop and as you can see, there’s about any kind of a souvenir or t-shirt you could ever want in here!
It’s a little bit of a slow night as the season has just begun and it’s a chilly Tuesday night. But it’s still an exciting feeling as the game begins! And as the game begins, we should go get something to eat!
Since it’s just the start of the season and a slow night, a lot of the concession stands are closed, Rocky told me in May everything is open, so we’ll have to make another trip then.
The Flashpoint Grille is open, so we’ll get something here. Standing in front of me in line is Tim and Janice who are Peoria Chief’s fans from Tremont. They said they come to about 10 to 12 games a year, nice to meet them!
This is Archie who served me up a chili cheese dog, hey you have to have a hot dog at a baseball game, that’s just the rules! I added some mustard at the condiment station and it was delicious! No beans in the chili so it gets a four star rating!
The game is now in the second inning!
Check it out, here’s two MBIP friends from the Blue Duck BBQ, Annie and Jenna! Great to see them here at the ball game!
There’s the dugout and a batter on deck warming up.
It’s the Peoria Chiefs mascot! I didn’t get his name so we’ll call him, Carl. ***UPDATE: Just found out the dog's name is Homer! Thanks Danielle, I owe you a beer for that!
Mark is an usher here at the ballpark and the three pretty ladies pictured below him work in the promotion department here, they are from left: Maddie, Shelby and Macie. Great to meet them!
Okay, we’re in the fourth inning now!
This is Allison who’s a photographer and graphic artist for the Peoria Chiefs.
There’s a Batter’s Box Party area that you can rent out here and tonight Jason and Kayla were having a birthday party for their 4-year-old son. As you can see a buffet comes with the rental and check out the St. Louis Cardinals birthday cake!
There's Maddie, Shelby and Macie leading a cheer in front of the stands.
The sun’s going down as we’re getting into the sixth inning...time for more food!
I got the entire crew from The Flashpoint Grille to pose for the MBIP camera and then I had a Bavarian pretzel with cheese sauce that was really tasty!
As night falls, Dozer Park really looks cool! This is a great way to spend an evening!
It turned out to be an exciting game, it was tied at the bottom of the 9th inning, but ultimately the Chiefs lost out to the LumberKings with a score of 10-7. This was really a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to coming back in May to check out the park when everything is up and running! Stay tuned for that and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Dozer Park/Peoria Chiefs
730 SW Jefferson Avenue
Peoria
309-680-4000
Related Post: Cartsville—Visiting The Downtown Food Carts On A Fine Tuesday Afternoon.