‘Giving the best fan experience possible.’ Lexington Counter Clocks open inaugural season.
Twenty-two years ago, Greg Herriford drove to Charleston, West Virginia, with his friend Tim to see the first game for Lexington’s minor league baseball team.
And, on Friday night, Herriford and his wife, Kelly, as well as their family watched the club’s new chapter begin as the Lexington Counter Clocks played their first game following a complete overhaul of ownership and branding. The Counter Clocks defeated the York Revolution 5-4.
“I enjoyed having a local team,” Greg Herriford said. “I think it’s a great thing for the community to have.”
Herriford had been waiting a long time for the minor leagues to arrive in Lexington, and, since the Legends’ arrival in 2001, he and his family have made their way to what is now known as Counter Clocks Field every single year.
“We really like the game atmosphere,” Kelly Herriford said. “So to have something like this in town is nice to be able to bring the family.”
The Herrifords were part of 2,898 fans who came out on Friday night to witness the new era, which included major renovations done by EOP Architects. After 22 years, the park had seen a tremendous amount of baseball but not a lot of structural upkeep.
“I came to an open forum thing in December,” Greg Herriford said. “It was (down in the restaurant). And man, that restaurant, I was sitting there looking at the corners and it was just so run down. And the ballpark had gotten really bad.”
Following new owners Nathan and Keri Lyons’ acquisition of the team and all its related assets in October, the organization has committed itself to giving the park a face-lift.
Justin Ferrarella, the Counter Clocks’ general manager and president, said that the renovations, new amenities and hospitality areas bring the feeling that you’re entering a brand-new ballpark.
“It’s a lot,” Ferrarella said. “You know, we updated the stables area, revamped all the bathrooms: ceiling tiles, paint, floors. Working toilets, working urinals. Redid our new lounge level that we just added. Ripped out some suites, on-field seating and some tabletop seating. And extended the netting and all the lights in the area. It’s really improved the fan safety and the fan experience.”
Ferrarella said that the renovations were important to the front office — which is committed to keeping baseball in Lexington — in order to elevate the experience for the community.
“If you think about it,” Ferrarella said. “Twenty-two years ago when this place opened, it was a gem. It was the crown jewel. ... And then after the years went by, it kind of just deteriorated. So it was very important, really enhancing and giving the best fan experience possible.”
The players also benefit from these renovations, with the updating of both the home and away clubhouses, as well as new lighting and lockers and the padding of the outfield walls for player safety.
Those who came out for opening day witnessed a competitive game, as well as a slew of firsts for the rebranded club.
History books will remember the name Connor Owings, the left fielder who scored the Counter Clocks’ first run in the second inning on the back of an RBI single from catcher Logan Brown. Owings’ run tied the game at 1-1.
Owings also hit the first home run of the Counter Clocks era with a two-run bomb to right-center in the third inning.
Counter Clocks’ right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, who spent seven years in the major leagues with the Phillies, Mets and Pirates, earned the win after allowing four runs on 11 hits, ending the Revolution’s two-year opening night winning streak.
The Counter Clocks scored their final two runs in the fifth inning and held strong for the remainder of the game, even when the Revolution brought it within a single run following a home run in the sixth.
Lexington and York were scheduled to play again at 6:45 p.m. Saturday and 2:05 p.m. Sunday.
