📍 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
⚾ Home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans

A little more than a mile from Myrtle Beach’s sandy shores sits Pelicans Ballpark, home of the eponymous Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. This picturesque stadium has been the backdrop for over a quarter century of minor league baseball at the beach, becoming yet another top summer entertainment spot along the touristy Grand Strand.

Opened in 1999, Pelicans Ballpark boasts a seating capacity of nearly 6,600, spread out amongst its old-timey grandstand, party areas and ample standing room spaces. Pelican Beach, a sand-filled group hangout on the third base side, is perhaps the most unique part of the park and perfectly ties in the seaside aesthetic that’s present all across the region. Looking back towards home plate, a nearby water tower looms over it all.

Although the venue is located close by to some of Myrtle Beach’s most popular shopping and dining areas at Broadway at the Beach, the ballpark itself features plenty of food options of its own. Most of the offerings directly reflect the cuisine of the Windy City – home of the Pelicans’ long-time affiliate – including the Clark and Addison Grille, which serves up Chicago-style dogs, Italian sausages and some deep dish-inspired items. On the field, Slider the Bat Dog brings joy to the crowd as he streaks across the diamond to fetch bats, balls and gloves. The unofficial live mascot of the team, Slider is joined by costumed Splash the Pelican as the face of the club.

Known in the past by a myriad of different names – most notably, TicketReturn.com Field – Pelicans Ballpark has played host to many memorable moments for local baseball fans. Before the construction of Springs Brooks Stadium, the nearby Coastal Carolina Chanticleers played here for a time. Pelicans Ballpark was most notably the site of the 2007 NCAA Regional, though some other college tournaments were also held at the beachy confines. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have won four championships and nine division titles over the years. The squad, along with its Carolina League peers, competed at the High-A level before the circuit got knocked down to Single-A in 2021.

The Pelicans franchise originated as the Durham Bulls, inspiration for the film Bull Durham. After a stint in Danville, Virginia, the team would move permanently to Myrtle Beach in 1999. The Pelicans were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves at their inception, partnering with the Texas Rangers for a few seasons before inking a deal with the Chicago Cubs in 2015.

Despite its many excellent qualities, Pelicans Ballpark is due for millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades to keep it in line with MLB’s new facility standards. Tensions between the team and city on how exactly to approach a potential renovation or replacement of the stadium have certainly put the future of the Pelicans in jeopardy. While the constant flow of tourists and the baseball-crazed year-round populace in Myrtle Beach continue to put butts in the seats at this quaint ballpark, it sadly may not be around much longer for those folks to enjoy.