Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Improvements Project

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) HB 897 (2022) authorizes MSA to issue up to $200 million in bonds to fund the development and /or renovations of sports entertainment facilities across the state including minor league ballparks where renovations are necessary in order to maintain affiliations with major league teams and continue to play in our state. Proceeds allocated from the Maryland state lottery, up to $25 million annually, have been used to pay debt service on the bonds issued to finance the various projects.

In March 2023, Wicomico County entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the MSA to provide preliminary design, technical and financial assistance as needed through the MiLB 897 program to address improvements required to ensure that the Arthur W. Perdue (AWP) Stadium and Delmarva Shorebirds meet Major League Baseball’s (MLB) recently adopted Professional Development League (PDL) standards. Players, coaches and fans are pleased that the AWP improvement project includes:

●    New ~9,000 sq ft Performance Center provides a first-class multi-purpose indoor turf space for training. 
●    Renovation and expansion of locker room spaces meets and exceeds the new requirements of MLB and the new PDL requirements.
●    New on-site weight room specifically designed for sports performance and training for both the home and visiting teams.
●    New female staff facilities in each user space provides a first-class experience for female staff and umpires.
●    Installation of new LED field lights improves the field lighting for players but also includes the ability to enhance the fan experience with theatrics as seen in modern stadium lighting systems.
●    Bullpens relocated off the field down the left and right field lines. This enhances player safety and develops a first in-class bullpen for training and game day use.
●    A new patio area for group parties, kids’ activity area, catering events, and fan activities created between the new performance center and the Shorebirds bullpen space.
●    Parking lot lighting upgrades enhances both player and fan safety.
●    Several other improvements that are required to meet the new facility standards as a PDL Club: Higher Batters Eye, Field Wall Padding, Extended Netting (Foul Pole to Foul Pole), Dugout Renovations.

This $28.6 million investment by the State of Maryland, through MSA, ensured compliance with PDL standards and allowed AWP Stadium to go above the minimum requirements in several key areas making it a first-class facility in Minor League Baseball and retaining the team’s MLB affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles.

The clubhouse and field improvements at AWP Stadium Improvements Project were completed by April 2025 with the new Performance Center completed in August 2025. Additional projects are being considered for next off-season.

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium improvement project underway in Wicomico County (click here)

Delmarva Shorebirds Announce Renovations to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium
Perdue Stadium upgrades establish Shorebirds on Delmarva for years to come
(click here)

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Improvements
(click here)