Construction is underway at UPMC Park, which is where the Erie Seawolves call home. The minor league team was included on a list of 42 teams to be discontinued in 2021, but team officials are hopeful that status will change.

One of the major factors the teams have in common is "unsatisfactory facilities." The list was generated before construction on UPMC Park began and Assistant GM Greg Gania told Erie News Now the ball park's renovations could be the team's saving grace.

"I think really when fans walk in here it's going to be a whole new experience. it's basically a whole new ball park." Gania said, "this ball park has undergone minor changes over the years, but nothing this extensive and fans aren't going to recognize this place when they come during the season."

For the players, there will be a new climate controlled batting cage, cement barriers around the seating area with padding and additional padding lining the walls of the park. Fans can look forward to remodeled bathrooms, new concession stands including an ice cream shop and a new team shop. The new team shop will be housed with the office spaces in a building next to Erie Insurance Arena, right next to the new main entrance.

"We've been fighting hard. We have a lot of our local politicians and the local, state and federal level that have been fighting hard to let major league know what's going on in Erie." Gania said, "there's a lot of exciting things going on not only for the fan experience but also player safety."

Negotiations are ongoing between the Major and Minor League and the next meeting is expected to be sometime in February. The Erie Seawolves will still play the full 2020 season, but the years after that are still uncertain.