Ontario Tower Buzzers Ready for Opening Day Debut at ONT Field With First-Class Fan Experience

ONTARIO, Calif. — For a Class-A club, the Ontario Tower Buzzers are opening in a ballpark that feels anything but small.

Opening night arrives Thursday, April 2, when the Los Angeles Dodgers’ new Single-A affiliate makes its debut against the Lake Elsinore Storm at ONT Field, launching not only a new season but a new chapter for Minor League Baseball in the Inland Empire.

The new Ontario franchise gives Dodgers fans a nearby place to watch the next generation of prospects develop, and it does so in a venue designed to deliver far more than nine innings of baseball. From family play areas and a splash pad to specialty food concepts, hospitality spaces and aviation-themed branding throughout the park, ONT Field has been built to make a first impression.

And from the moment fans walk through the gates, that impression should be immediate.

The 6,000-seat ballpark, with 4,500 fixed seats, offers a mix of traditional seating and fan-friendly social spaces, including premium hospitality areas, a grass berm and terraced seating. Fans will also find a private club, luxury suites, a covered patio food hall and a dedicated kids zone that makes the stadium feel as much like a family entertainment destination as a baseball venue.

For Tower Buzzers general manager Allan Benavides, that broader vision is part of what makes the opening so significant.

“I think the most important thing about the stadium, what’s really great about the design is that it’s not just about baseball,” Benavides said during media day. “If you’re just a casual fan, you have a good time. … There is something for everybody at this ballpark.”

That “something for everybody” approach can be seen throughout the venue.

Young fans can enjoy cornhole and wiffle ball on an artificial surface near the right-field line, while families can take advantage of the splash pad and playground features built into the stadium experience. Baseball fans can watch players practice in the batting cages near the main gate, bringing them even closer to the game before first pitch.

The park’s visual identity also leaves little doubt about its connection to the Dodgers.

Ontario’s new team, the Tower Buzzers, takes inspiration from the famous “Top Gun” line, “Sorry Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower,” and the aviation theme carries throughout the ballpark. The team’s mascot, Maverick, is a bee wearing aviator goggles and a flight scarf. One of the most eye-catching attractions is a 75 percent scale P-38 plane beyond the outfield that will come to life after Tower Buzzers home runs with runway lights, smoke and spinning propellers.

Still under construction is another prominent feature: an airport tower-style building that will eventually house a restaurant and speakeasy overlooking the ballpark.

Benavides said the venue was designed to feel special from every angle.

“The nicest stadium in the country, in minor league baseball,” he said. “They built that right here in the Inland Empire.”

Inside the ballpark, the Dodgers’ imprint is equally strong.

“This place bleeds Dodger Blue,” Benavides said. “It’s going to feel like you’re at Dodger Stadium, but it’s going to have a minor league feel to it.”

That combination may be one of the franchise’s greatest selling points. Fans will get the closeness and affordability of Minor League Baseball with a setting that reflects the polish of a major-league organization.

Tower Buzzers manager John Shoemaker, entering his 50th season in the Dodgers organization, said the opportunity to open in a brand-new stadium adds another layer of excitement for a young roster.

“You don’t always get a chance to have a new stadium,” Shoemaker said. “I think that’s really going to be exciting. Not only for the players and the fans, but just for the whole Dodger organization.”

Shoemaker said the environment should energize his team.

“A lot of ballplayers are going to have a little bit more adrenaline in their body when they see a big crowd and a nice stadium,” he said. “A lot of these guys are going to be really happy playing here.”

That excitement has been shared by the players themselves.

Nineteen-year-old shortstop Emil Morales called the opportunity to be part of the inaugural team “too special” and said he is eager to begin his season in Ontario. Outfielder Jaron Elkins pointed to the clubhouse technology and the energy around opening night, while outfielder AJ Soldra described his first impression of the stadium as being like “walking into an amusement park” or “Christmas morning.”

Soldra also said the experience goes beyond the field.

“Everything around the stadium, there’s so many restaurants, there’s so many things to do,” Soldra said. “The whole experience, it’s more than just a baseball game here.”

That may be especially true when it comes to food.

The concession program was one of the major talking points during media day, with chef Daly Cruz showcasing a menu designed to reflect Southern California’s range of tastes. Fans can expect Mexican, Asian and Italian options, as well as classic ballpark fare with upgraded twists.

Among the featured items are a 10-inch Buzzer Dog, brisket offerings, sliders, mini Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, burritos, tacos, wraps, tri-tip sandwiches, barbecue chicken and vegan options. The stadium will also feature an ice cream shop in center field.

Prices shared during media day included $13 for a beer and $5 for fries.

“We have a little bit of everything for everyone here,” Cruz said.

That same thinking extends to ticketing. Fans looking for a lower-cost option can find outfield seats for as little as $5 on some weeknights, with many standard tickets generally ranging from $8 to $12 depending on location. For those seeking a more premium experience, the stadium includes dugout suites, luxury suites and outdoor group spaces known as flight decks. Full-season, half-season and quarter-season plans are also available.

One of the most meaningful artistic features in the park is a giant mural of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela by renowned muralist Jonas Never on the wall in left field. The mural adds a sense of cultural connection and Dodgers nostalgia to a franchise just beginning to write its own history.

Benavides spoke emotionally about the importance of honoring Valenzuela.

“He changed the game,” Benavides said. “I think he was an inspiration not only to people like myself, but to millions of other Latinos that grew up in Southern California.”

Thursday’s opener is expected to bring a playoff-style atmosphere. Benavides said a number of Dodgers legends will be on hand, along with a special musical guest, fireworks and commemorative tickets for fans attending the game.

For players and coaches, the focus remains on beginning the season the right way. Shoemaker said his message to the club centers less on statistics and more on habits.

“Effort, energy, enthusiasm, preparation and professionalism,” Shoemaker said. “Everybody wants to win, but few people really know how to prepare to win.”

For fans, however, opening night offers something just as compelling: the chance to see a new team, in a new city, in a new ballpark that appears ready to become a destination from day one.

Ontario is getting Dodgers-affiliated baseball up close. The Inland Empire is getting a new community gathering place. And families heading to ONT Field on Thursday won’t just be arriving for the first home game in franchise history.

They’ll be arriving to see what all the buzz is about.