Atlanta Braves and Cartoon Network Unite for All-New Tooner Field
The Atlanta Braves and their Turner Broadcasting sibling Cartoon Network are joining forces in creating an all-new entertainment and dining experience for kids and families to bear the moniker �Tooner Field.� The Cartoon Network-branded, interactive area will be located at Turner Field�s East Pavilion off the Grand Entry Plaza. This multi-million dollar project will have its first phase�a three-story, layered facade featuring the colorful homes of Cartoon Network�s most popular characters�ready for opening day, Friday, April 8 (Braves vs. the New York Mets). The entire facility will be completed and open for visitors by mid-July.
Tooner Field will consist of eight unique areas depicting Cartoon Network original characters in life-size Baseball-themed environments. Kids will be invited to explore and play within several one-of-a-kind activity zones, participate in a variety of cartoony carnival games, enjoy a picnic meal on a miniature baseball field or snack at a Cartoon Network-themed diner. Properties to be included within this prototype family experience include many of the network�s top original series: Foster�s Home for Imaginary Friends, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Dexter�s Laboratory and Ed, Edd �n�Eddy.
�A large number of our fans that attend games are families,� said Mike Plant, Braves executive vice president of operations. �This project is a natural for them since kids love Cartoon Network shows and characters. Combining them in a creative, fun way deepens the whole Turner Field experience.�
�Our hope is to create a family-targeted attraction that will enable young viewers to experience their favorite characters in an eye-popping, three-dimensional encounter,� adds Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president, marketing for Cartoon Network. �And parents will appreciate that we�ve included plenty of closed-cable monitors throughout the area so that no one need miss a play of the game while kids enthrall themselves in cartoon-themed activity.�
The 3,000 square foot entertainment facility will be open to attending families before, during and after Braves games. There are also plans to have Tooner Field available to schools and community groups on non-game days. And to celebrate the new joint venture, one of Cartoon Network�s most popular characters�to be announced at a later date�will serve as the Braves mascot this season.
The Tooner Field expansion is part of several major changes taking place at Turner Field this off-season. It was previously announced that Turner Field will be home to the largest high-definition video display in the world and will feature new LED fascia video boards, new concessions and improved customer service.
The Atlanta Braves, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is Major League Baseball�s winningest franchise since 1991. Since then, Braves teams have earned a record 13 consecutive division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are carried nationally on WTBS and regionally on Turner South. The organization was honored in Atlanta Magazine�s annual �Best of� edition for 2004 as Best Local Pro Sports Team and Best Fun for Young Sports Fans.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 87.6 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.�s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world�s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network showcases unique original ventures such as Foster�s Home for Imaginary Friends, Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi, Codename: Kids Next Door, Teen Titans, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Cartoon Network also features Adult Swim, its signature late-night block of animation for grownups. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable�s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network�s Web site is located at www.CartoonNetwork.com.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
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