(November 9, 2018) — Even as construction continues on the 1741 Club presented by UPMC Pinnacle, York Revolution officials today announced two additional new hospitality spaces at PeoplesBank Park and revealed their historically inspired names – the Monarch and Solomon Rooms.
Already under construction in the spaces formerly occupied by five first-based side skyboxes, the new hospitality spaces will provide flexible meeting and event space for area businesses seeking unique off-site venues and the ability to follow business functions with the fun of Revolution baseball. The two rooms, which will be combined for larger functions, will feature catering services, upgraded audio/visual and great views of the Revolution’s new field.
“We are incredibly proud of both the historic heritage of our city and its contributions to the sport we play,” said John Gibson, general manager of the York Revolution. “In keeping with our tradition of historically based names here at the ballpark, we thought these new spaces were the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to local heroes of the Negro League.”
The Monarch Room honors another pioneering York baseball team and a pivotal contributor to the history of Negro League Baseball, the Colored Monarchs of the Diamond. Formerly the Cuban Giants based in Trenton, New Jersey, the Monarchs moved to York in 1890 as part of the Interstate League. The Monarchs dominated the league with a 40-16 record and were considered the pennant winner when the league disbanded in July 1890. They were 88-27 versus teams from 32 towns in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Solomon Room honors the legacy of King Solomon “Sol” White, second baseman of the Colored Monarchs of the Diamond during their season in York and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the most important names in Negro League Baseball, in 54 games in York, White hit .350 and stole 21 bases. His playing career spanned five seasons and 152 games, in which he hit .359 with 169 runs scored, 231 hits, 40 doubles, and 41 stolen bases. He later moved into team management and spent nearly 25 years building rosters and managing seasons for teams in Philadelphia, New York, Columbus, and Cleveland, as well as in the Cuban League. White also authored the first – and, for a long time, only – book on Negro League Baseball, History of Colored Baseball. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Gibson said the new rooms will complete the ballpark’s wide range of hospitality spaces and further empower the team to accommodate any kind of group event throughout the calendar year.
“With the Monarch and Solomon Rooms, the 1741 Club, two other standard rental suites, and our luxury skyboxes, we will be in the best position ever to pair the perfect space with a client’s event in and out of baseball season,” Gibson said. “And when you add in the versatility of our outdoor hospitality spaces, there really is a space here now for every group or event during a Revs game.”
Gibson said the new rooms will be ready for the start of the team’s 2019 season on April 26.