Chickasaws reverse course on Bricktown ballpark name

The Chickasaws and the RedHawks had announced about 30 hours earlier that the tribe bought the ballpark's naming rights and would call it Newcastle Field at Bricktown. Some of the signage at the ballpark would have prominently featured the logo of Newcastle Casino.

The move was met with strong and near-unanimous criticism from city leaders who voiced an opinion on the name.

“We have a great admiration for the 50-year history of professional baseball in Oklahoma and the major role the ballpark has played in Oklahoma City's amazing renaissance,” Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said in a statement. “Out of consideration for the expressed concerns of Oklahoma City citizens, we have decided to revisit the name.”

Mayor Mick Cornett and other city leaders had expressed dismay that the name of a casino and Oklahoma City suburb would be displayed on a city-owned building. But the city sold naming rights to the team in 1998 and has no control over what the stadium is called.

Cornett said he and others who criticized the name are pleased with the change.

“I think that the team and the sponsor thought they had a good name (for the ballpark),” Cornett said. “And I think today (Thursday), they decided they could come up with a better one. It reflects well on this community's ability to get together and pull on the same rope.”

The fact the team's opening day was Thursday also played a role in the change coming so quickly, Cornett said. The RedHawks opened an eight-game homestand Thursday to start the season.