ATLANTA -- The start of the 2023 season is days away, and the Braves are making their final preparations on and off the field.
With the sun reflecting light into the Coors Light Chop House from the stands and the newly installed hybrid Bermuda with perennial ryegrass playing surface, team executives showcased food, merchandise and spaces that are coming to Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta in 2023.
“This has turned into a hugely successful environment,” Braves CEO and president Derek Schiller said. “We're deeply appreciative to our fans and our community and are excited about the coming year.”
There will be new concession options, including the Crown Royal Walk-Off Market, Terrapin Taproom Concourse Bar and five new self-checkout locations inside the ballpark. Fans can scan or pick up their food and beverages for a quick transaction to get back to their seats. The speedy concessions work in tandem with MLB’s new rules.
“We knew that this was the way we needed to continue to innovate in our ballpark and offer solutions that allowed for quick and easy, ‘Let me grab my food, and let me get back to my seat,’” Braves senior vice president of operations Hannah Basinger said. “We were already on this path, but we felt the timing works really well, knowing that the innings could be shorter.”
The team has updated concessions menus with various food options, including the Cleanup Burger, the Submarine Sandwich, the Georgia BLT, the Triple Play, the ‘Douille Dog and the Closer. Prices vary for each item, but fans are encouraged to share with friends and family because of the food’s size. Delaware North executive chef Louis Martorano says the new food choices seek to incorporate more of Braves country.
“I wanted a little bit more tie-in for the North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee [and] Alabama [Braves fans],” Martorano said. “When they make that trip down here, [we want] something that's a little close to home for them, and they feel like the Braves have adopted South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.”
New spaces are coming to Truist Park as well. Blooper’s Clubhouse will be open to fans, allowing them to visit Braves mascot Blooper in his new digs. Fans can interact with the mascot, make signs, write letters and get creative. The "Braves of the World" exhibit in Monument Garden, which honors and recognizes Braves players from around the world, is a spot for fans to engage and learn about the international players that have played for Atlanta throughout its history.
The Braves have expanded on Digital Truist Park, allowing fans to explore the space and meet fellow Braves fans during regular visiting hours. This season, fans can visit in the metaverse for Open House Days (the first day of every homestand from 12-1 p.m.), Gameday Play (all Thursday and Sunday home games starting in May) and other special events throughout the year.
The Braves will open the Threads by Braves Clubhouse Store, a new retail location and merchandise line, on April 4. The style and swagger of current Braves players, such as Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, influenced the collection. The store will release new items every few weeks and will be located at 900 Battery Ave SE, Suite 1010, in the Battery Atlanta.
“It's basically tying in fans with their personalities and what they want to wear, and what they would wear outside on game day and when they hang out with their friends -- and tapping into that and then putting our Braves brand with it,” Atlanta senior director of retail operations Lisa Williams said. “It's just the best of both worlds.”
Fans can buy the team’s new Nike City Connect uniforms -- which honor Hank Aaron’s legacy -- this Saturday at the Braves Clubhouse Store or online. The club announced the collection on Monday, and Schiller compared the uniforms to the movie “Top Gun.”
“Ours is a little bit of a throwback, but it's fast [and] it's cool,” Schiller said. “Everybody liked it. You got superstars like you did with Tom Cruise.”
The Braves have also added play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin, public address announcer Kevin Kraus and in-game hosts Otis Maher and Lauren Hoffman this season. The team has also added new LED matrix boards to the ballpark, including an upgraded fascia board on the terrace level that will display videos, full-color animations and scores.
Fans can explore these new attractions and more starting with the Braves’ home opener against the Padres on April 6.