AKRON, Ohio — Jim Pfander is the general manager for the Akron RubberDucks, a minor league baseball team based in Akron. Over the past year, he's watched Canal Park, where the RubberDucks play, transform into something more modern. 

“We have an incredible partnership with the city of Akron,” Pfander explained. “They are able to help us do these improvements each and every year to keep Canal Park the best stadium in Minor League Baseball.” 

Fans can expect some major upgrades on opening day. For the first time in 25 years, the stadium has brand new seats. 

“There [are] 7,630 new seats,” he said. “It was important to us that we maintained the capacity that we started with, which is important because you don’t want to lose seats, but it’s important to have these beautiful brand new seats.” 

They have also created some new sections and experiences. 

“We’ve got the diamond seats, the first five rows behind home plate and also the first two rows behind each of the dugouts,” he explained. “We also have the Champions Club, which is down on the right field corner, and that is a premium experience that has food and beverage. It is all inclusive — all you can eat, beer wine, soda, water and a chef menu each and every night.” 

With the team coming off a Double-A Northeast Division Championship, Pfander said it’s the perfect time to catch a game. 

“I think that is what is great about Minor League Baseball. You get to say, ‘oh I saw this player when,’” he explained. “I saw Josè Ramìez, playing for the Akron Aeros at the time, or Francisco Lindor, playing for the Akron RubberDucks, or even now, Steven Kwan, who has had a heck of a start to the season. He played here last year. He was our outfielder (and) played 51 games for the RubberDucks.” 

You can see the upgrades for yourself. First pitch for the home opener is 7:05 p.m. on April 12. 

“I think people are going to be blown away,” he said. “I mean, the stadium feels totally different than it did last year at this time, but it also is still the same.”