The
Wichita Wranglers were the Double-A affiliate of the
San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994 and the Kansas City Royals from 1995 to 2007. The Wranglers had struggled with low attendance numbers and an aging
Lawrence–Dumont Stadium throughout Bob Rich Jr.'s 18-year ownership of the team. In 2006, Rich sought to move the team to Springdale, contingent on a citizen vote to approve financing for a new stadium. Springdale's mayor, Jerre M. Van Hoose, and the head of the Chamber of Commerce, Perry Webb, knew what it would take to bring the affiliated Minor Leagues to the area. Not only would they have to find a team willing to move, they would also need to provide them with a better facility than what they would be leaving behind. The referendum concerning a new ballpark was held on July 11, 2006, with voters approving by a narrow margin the continuation of a 1% sales tax to fund construction of the ballpark. and the new ballpark's official name was introduced as Arvest Ballpark on October 5, 2007. The first game played at Arvest Ballpark was the 2008 opening day game between the Naturals and the
San Antonio Missions on April 10, 2008. The Naturals lost 7-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 7,820. ==Images==