History
In 1985, Charles County initiated plans to build a ballpark for the relocated Kinston Indians of the Carolina League. Construction workers even cleared trees to prepare the site, however, the ballpark planning eventually fell through. After county commissioners balked on the construction, $500,000 in public funds were paid to cancel signed contracts and undo the progress made during site preparation. The A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians remained in Kinston, and the Southern Maryland region was without a professional baseball team for another 23 years.
In 2004, a company called Opening Day Partners renewed interest for a Charles County ballpark. The stadium was originally slated to be built in the town of Hughesville, but the residents voted against it in order to maintain the "rural charm" of the area. After Hughesville residents denied the ballpark, all interest shifted to Waldorf, a bedroom community of Washington, D.C. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball formally announced an expansion team for Waldorf on February 15, 2006, to begin play in the 2008 season. The Blue Crabs were originally supposed to be an expansion team for the 2007 season, but the construction bids for Regency Furniture Stadium came in over budget. The ballpark instead opened in 2008.
In May 2007, commissioners from Charles County approved a $19 million bid for the construction of Regency Furniture Stadium. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 27, 2007 with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in attendance and CEO of Regency Furniture.
Read more about this topic: Regency Furniture Stadium
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