There’s nothing minor league about ONT Field.
The home of the Dodgers’ new Single-A affiliate — the Ontario Tower Buzzers — will host its first game next month. The 6,000-seat, $100 million ballpark has a distinctly Dodgers and aviation vibe.
For example, the mural of pitching great Fernando Valenzuela on the side of a building above seats overlooking the left-field line.
The name itself is a nod to Ontario International Airport’s three-letter code and the region’s aviation history. The airport property originally known as Latimer Field was used as an Army Air Corps training and operations base in 1943.
There’s a model of a vintage warplane beyond the outfield fence that will light up, along with a runway, when the home team smacks a home run.
Tower Buzzers is a reference to the famous line from the 1986 film “Top Gun” — “Sorry Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower” — that heralded the memorable high-speed, low-altitude flyby scene.
The logo is a bee in pilot goggles and other gear. The Dodgers-like uniforms feature flight paths and control tower motifs.
The bee mascot’s name is Maverick.
Ticket prices? Decidedly not big league, ranging from $6 to watch from a right-field grass berm to about $40, depending on the night.
The stadium also features a private club, suites, exterior food hall and kids zone with splash pad.
Opening Day features a 6:35 p.m. matchup against Lake Elsinore. Opening weekend is sold out, but the Tower Buzzers will be back home April 14 to face Fresno.
The Tower Buzzers’ arrival was part of a three-team swap in the California league. As part of the changes, the franchise rights and Dodgers affiliation that belonged to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes moved to Ontario. The Quakes’ identity was adopted by the former Inland Empire 66ers. The team will remain in Rancho Cucamonga as an Angels affiliate.