part of the UVM Centennial celebration. The original wooden baseball bleachers burned on March 12, 1913. The current concrete and steel main grandstand was erected in 1922. Today, it seats 4,415 for baseball. The first UVM ice hockey game was played on the football portion of Centennial Field. The field's large foul territory comes from the running track that at one time circled the park, including the area where the grandstand currently stands. In the summer of 2005, Centennial Field was the Vermont stop on ESPN's "50 States in 50 Days" tour. In 2007, it was recognized by ESPN.com's Jim Caple as one of the top 10 ballpark destinations in the U.S. It is also featured in the 2008 book 101 Baseball Places To See Before You Strike Out by Josh Pahigian. Operation and improvements Centennial Field showed its age and was in need of repair in 2010 to meet minor league baseball ballpark standards. Much needed upgrades began in earnest after that season with Vermont Lake Monsters owner Ray Pecor investing in over $1 million in improvements prior to the start of the 2012 season, and another $1 million prior to 2013. Pecor made these improvements -including new lights, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard and many field-surface improvements after agreeing with then-UVM president John Bramley on a 20-year lease just $1 per year. On June 28, 2012, Oakland extended its minor league player development contract through the end of the 2014 season. In the announcement Athletics vice president and general manager Billy Beane was quoted as saying, "The baseball history and community support in Burlington makes it a very special place. We look forward to this partnership growing for many years to come." Baseball usage In 2003, 2005, and 2006, the field hosted the America East Conference baseball tournament. In 2003 and 2006, Vermont won the conference's regular season championship. In the past, it also hosted American Legion Baseball and was home to the American Legion Northeast Regional tournament in 2007. On February 20, 2009, it lost its longest tenant with Director of Athletics Dr. Robert Corran announcing the University of Vermont would discontinue the varsity baseball (and varsity softball) program following the completion of the 2009 season. Corran said at the time that he expected that the university would continue to maintain and the baseball field before Bramley stepped in by leasing it to the Lake Monsters for 20