Wichita community leaders joined officials from minor league and major league baseball for a ceremonial event Thursday morning at the site where a new baseball stadium is under construction.

Mayor Jeff Longwell and baseball officials conducted a placement of the home plate for the new Triple-A stadium at Maple and Sycamore.   Concrete structures could be seen taking shape at the construction site, and Scott Sherry with JE Dunn Construction said there is more than 150 miles of rebar on site.   He said steel structures should begin going up in late May or early June, and the concrete seating bowl should be completed in August.  He said grass for the stadium will be in September or October.  The stadium should be ready next March in time for a Triple-A team to begin its 2020 season.

Minor League Baseball president Pat O’Conner praised the support from the community in bringing a Triple-A team to Wichita and he said fans will see a more sophisticated product and a better game on the field.   Pacific Coast League president Branch Rickey III said the stadium will have a profound impact on the Wichita community, and he said it will last for decades and for generations.

Leaders of the major league Miami Marlins, the parent team of the club that will be playing in Wichita, also spoke at the ceremony.  Marlins president Michael Hill said it’s exciting to be in Wichita and he presented a Miami jersey to Mayor Longwell with “Wichita” on the back.

With students from Central Christian Academy singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and young players from Wichita’s League 42 in attendance, Mayor Longwell placed the home plate on the ground.   The plate was signed by people attending the ceremony.