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West Michigan Whitecaps

616-784-4131      4500 West River Dr, Comstock Park, MI 49321 www.whitecapsbaseball.com
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“A lot of people thought we were crazy, didn’t think we had a chance,” said Denny Baxter of a “fantasy” he and Lew Chamberlin had of bringing professional baseball to West Michigan.  Fortunately for baseball fans, the two who are the founders and co-chairman of the West Michigan Whitecaps, ignored the naysayers and pursued their vision.

Not only did the team make history their first season in 1994 by being the first professional baseball team to play in the area in fifty years, it set the all-time Class A attendance record boasting 475,212 fans at the then Old Kent Ballpark which became LMCU Ballpark in 2021. The Whitecaps then went on to break their own record the following two years.  By the way, the Whitecaps beat the Burlington Bees 5-2 that first game.

Lew’s son Joe Chamberlain was named CEO of the Whitecaps in 2018.  Joe remembers the family going to just about every Whitecaps game as well as a lot of Detroit Tigers games. He worked at the ballpark while in high school. While in college he did an operations internship for the Whitecaps and got to know more about the business side of minor league baseball.  “I knew in some shape or form, I was going to be involved,” he said.  Joe, who had worked in a large financial services company in Detroit, said he has come to “appreciate the different pace, the culture and staff, and the interaction with the community” in his job.

The Whitecaps have made Comstock Park a destination bringing in thousands of visitors who attend games and events that take place at the Ballpark each year.  The organization was recognized as a class act from its beginning.  In 1997 the Whitecaps was named Minor League Team of the Year, and in 1999 was named the Class A Minor League Franchise of the Decade by Baseball America. In 2021 the Whitecaps were promoted to Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

HISTORY

In the mid-1980’s Lew, who had practiced law, was working in his family’s business when the business was sold.  He began exploring his dream of a minor league baseball team in West Michigan.  At the same time, Denny, who was a CPA working in financial and managerial positions in West Michigan, was investigating the same idea.   Lew saw a story in the Grand Rapids Press about Baxter’s pursuit and contacted him.  The two “hit it off immediately…our visions aligned,” said Denny, adding that his accounting skills, and Lew’s legal and business background complemented each other.  They formed West Michigan Baseball Development Inc.

In 1992, a 47-acre property at 4500 West River Drive along the Grand River became available, and Lew and Denny settled on the site as home to their dream.  It had scenic value located next to the River, said Lew.  Denny added it was “right at the crossroads of two major highways,” and there was ample space for lighted parking which was appealing for a family-oriented venue. In 1993 the business purchased the Madison Muskies franchise.  The team was renamed the Whitecaps through a Name the Team contest.  Work began on what was named Old Kent Park (for Old Kent Bank that bought the naming rights and was the first funding partner), a $10 million state-of-the art facility. The facility was renamed Fifth Third Ballpark in 2002 when Fifth Third Bank purchased Old Kent Bank, and later became LMCU Ballpark to reflect a partnership with the credit union. 

LMCU BALLPARK

There is a lot more than baseball happening at LMCU Ballpark.  It is the site of concerts, annual events such as Taste of Grand Rapids, a winter beer festival, and a lighting display in the parking lot during the holidays.  The Stadium Club, an indoor party area, is available year-round for business meetings, family celebrations, and the like.  Many charitable events and fundraisers are also held at the Ballpark.  Lew said they try to “get as much use out of the facility as we can.”       There are some 40 full-time and 200 part-time and seasonal employees that make all those good times happen.

And oh the food.  Besides the usual ballpark fare like the some 150,000 hot dogs (that’s more than 14 miles of hot dogs if placed end to end) served each season, there are specialty items like the Mr. Wing-Suvius, that has mac’n cheese, beer cheese, buffalo chicken filling, and onion rings, that are a result of the annual Fan Food Contest 

2014 FIRE

On January 3, 2014, a devastating fire destroyed the entire first base side of the ballpark.  Both Lew and Denny said they were “overwhelmed and gratified at the outpouring of community support.

“You work very hard to think you made a connection with the community, and that fire certainly reinforced that good, deep, emotional connection,” said Denny.  “It’s not our team, it’s the community’s team, and we’re the stewards.”

The demolition that took place after the fire became an opportunity to make changes.  The Ballpark now has a capacity of 8942.  There are eight hospitality decks, two indoor clubs, two lawn seating areas, and 21 luxury suites.

LEW, DENNY, JOE

Lew Chamberlin grew up in East Grand Rapids, graduating from East Grand Rapids High School.  He attended Alleghany College in Pennsylvania, and then the University of Toledo College of Law.  He has two children and four stepchildren and lives with his wife Anne in Cascade.  He serves on numerous community service boards.     

Denny Baxter grew up in Muskegon, graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central High School, and attended Michigan State University where he earned a degree in accounting.  He and his wife Rhonda live in Muskegon and have three grown children and two grandchildren. 

Joe Chamberlin earned a bachelor’s degree at Wooster College in Ohio and a master’s degree in labor relations and human resources at Michigan State University.  He worked for a Fortune 500 financial services company in Detroit before joining the Whitecaps organization in 2013 where he has held several positions.  He and his wife Dana live in Cascade and have two sons.

(February 2023)

 

Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority
P.O. Box 333
Comstock Park, Michigan  49321
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