Scheduled to help the Braves organization officially break ground are Mike Plant, executive vice president of business operations for the Atlanta Braves; Chip Moore, vice president and controller for the Atlanta Braves; Steve DeSalvo, general manager for the Double-A Braves; Jim Bishop, assistant general manager for the Double-A Braves; Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour; Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster; and, Southern League President Don Mincher, among others to be announced.

"This ballpark will have similar amenities to the current major league ballparks, most notably Turner Field in Atlanta, which promises to make it a fan-friendly experience," said Plant. "We are thrilled with the commitment of our partners to complete this ambitious project in order to be ready for the start of the 2005 Double-A season for the Mississippi Braves." The minor league facility is being designed by HOK who will partner with architect Dale & Associates and W.G. Yates & Sons Construction as contractor for the project.

The Braves Double-A affiliate has been located in Greenville, South Carolina, since January of 1984. Prior to moving there, the team was located in Austin, Texas (1966-1967), Shreveport, Louisiana (1968-1970), and Savannah, Georgia (1971-1983).

The Atlanta Braves, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991. Since then, Braves teams have earned a record 12 consecutive division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are carried nationally on TBS Superstation and regionally on Turner South.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.