COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — America's pastime will continue on in Comstock Park this season, but the playing field will have a brand new name for 2021.
On Tuesday the West Michigan Whitecaps announce a 10-year naming rights deal with Lake Michigan Credit Union. The 'Caps will play for the next decade inside LMCU Ballpark.
The stadium debuted as Old Kent Park in 1994. The named changed to Fifth Third Ballpark in 2000, when Old Kent Bank merged with Fifth Third Bank.
The Whitecaps did not play in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they hope fans are ready to cheer on the team after a season off. The 'Caps are now theHigh Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers after years being the Low Class A affiliate. That change is expected to bring more of the club's top prospects to West Michigan.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Whitecaps, thereby linking two well-known and well-respected organizations, and we are excited about supporting a beloved West Michigan institution and favorite West Michigan community entertainment destination,” said Sandra Jelinski, LMCU President and CEO. “The positive impact the Whitecaps have on our community is something that I have admired for the last 27 years, certainly from a business perspective but also as a longstanding member of the community. We value the ongoing success of the Whitecaps as a premier entertainment and community-focused organization and are exceptionally pleased to partner with them for all of their banking needs."
“I am confident the Whitecaps could not have found a better fit for this franchise-defining partnership moving into the future, than with Lake Michigan Credit Union,” said Joe Chamberlin, CEO of the West Michigan Whitecaps. "While we are excited for the future, we are also very thankful for our past as the naming rights for our ballpark have been with Fifth Third Bank since day one. I want to thank them for our long partnership and their continued commitment to the Whitecaps organization and this community. I am so excited for our fans, their members, and the combined community impact this new partnership with LMCU will deliver not only in 2021, but also well into the future."
