After months of disputes about who would pay for MLB-mandated upgrades to Valley Strong Ballpark, the city of Visalia and the Visalia Rawhide have reached an agreement.

“We are excited to be continuing the rich history of Minor League Baseball in this community that has been so supportive of the team for over seven decades,” said Sam Sigal, president and co-owner of the Rawhide in a news release Friday. “We are very pleased with the City’s cooperation to reach an agreement that will work for both parties. We also know that these improvements will be greatly beneficial to the players who cross the plate in Visalia.”

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City to Pay for Upgrades, Rawhide to Pay More Rent

The city agreed to pay to replace the fence and batter’s eye, upgrade lighting, and make major improvements to the clubhouse and batting cages. In return, the Rawhide committed to “significant contributions that will assist with the expenses of the projects,” the release stated.

An estimated $7 million is needed to make the improvements.

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“This is the city’s stadium, and the City Council knew that we would have improvement projects that would have to be done even if the stadium was empty,” said Visalia Mayor Brian Poochigian. “As we discussed a settlement that would keep the stadium a thriving part of the community, it made the most sense to understand the needs at the stadium, and those future costs. We appreciate the financial commitments, through rent and other improvement contributions.”

Ballpark Retains Its Original Wood Grandstand

MLB had previously given the Rawhide until April to get the ballpark into compliance. The city and the team had been going back and forth with who should foot the bill. A Tulare County judge in December 2023 told both parties they need to figure out the dispute amongst themselves.

Valley Strong Ballpark is the seventh-oldest minor league park in the nation. The original wood grandstand, built in 1946, has not changed in the park’s nearly 80-year history.