PEORIA CHIEFS
Dozer Park
Dozer Park is the Cardinals' High-A affiliate in Peoria, Illinois — a city defined by Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. The park's name references the bulldozer (dozer) — Caterpillar's most iconic product. Peoria sits at the Illinois River, the cultural center of downstate Illinois, and the city that gave America the phrase 'Will it play in Peoria?' — the old vaudeville test for whether entertainment would appeal to mainstream America.
PHOTO: Strikerforce · CC BY 3.0
Architecture & History
Dozer Park opened in 2002 as a replacement for O'Brien Field, bringing a modern 7,500-seat facility to downtown Peoria on the Illinois River waterfront.
Build specs
- OPENED
- 2002
- CAPACITY
- 7,500
- DIMENSIONS
- LF 310 · CF 400 · RF 310
Names & History
2002–present
Dozer Park
Named after OSF HealthCare — but colloquially adopted as Dozer Park after the Peoria brand. The Caterpillar corporate presence in Peoria (Dozer = bulldozer) is reflected in the name.
Also known as
The Food
Illinois River Catfish Sandwich
Illinois River catfish — flathead and channel catfish from the Illinois River that bisects Peoria — pan-fried with cornmeal breading, served on white bread with hot sauce and coleslaw — is the most geographically specific food at any High-A Central park.
Horseshoe Sandwich
Horseshoe stand
The horseshoe — an open-faced sandwich invented in Springfield, IL in 1928, with thick white toast, hamburger patty, french fries, and cheese sauce.
Chiefs Dog
Hot dog stands
Standard hot dog with Illinois yellow mustard.
The Beer
Dozer Park features Peoria-area craft options. Peoria Brewing Company and Illinois Brewing Company represent the central Illinois craft tradition.
Peoria Brewing Company Caterpillar Gold
Peoria Brewing Co. · Peoria, IL
Peoria Brewing brings Caterpillar Gold — named for the city's most famous corporate resident.
Destihl Brewery Pernicious IPA
Destihl Brewery · Normal, IL
Destihl Brewery from Normal, IL brings Pernicious IPA and their Wild Sour Series.
Bud Light
Anheuser-Busch
Volume beer throughout central Illinois.
Sun & Weather Guide
Illinois River Valley heat
Peoria sits in the Illinois River Valley which amplifies summer heat. Day games in July and August regularly reach 90°F.
Best Peoria game experience
Evening games after 6:30PM catch the river breeze. The Peoria skyline view improves as the sun drops behind the third base stands.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Dozer Park is the Cardinals' Single-A affiliate — one of the deeper talent pipelines in the minors. The park's 7,500 capacity makes it one of the larger Midwest League venues.
Best Seat in the House
Third base side sections 112–118 give you the best view of the Peoria skyline across the Illinois River.
Getting There
Downtown Peoria is walkable from Dozer Park. The park sits near the Illinois River waterfront entertainment district with restaurants and bars within two blocks.
Pilgrim Stops Near Peoria
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Lincoln Presidential Library
Lincoln's actual stovepipe hat, in the most visited presidential museum in America.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Peoria and beyond.
Start Planning →