This will be the last spring the Boston Red Sox are training at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. It’s not been an especially distinguished run in terms of ballpark architecture and amenities, as City of Palms Park and a nearby training complex were cramped, outdated facilities. Here’s a look at City of Palms […]
Tag Archives | florida
Nats looking at spring-training move to Kissimmee
The Washington Nationals are exploring options for spring training; while the team has been negotiating with Brevard County to improvements to Space Coast Stadium, it has also been looking at other areas for a new complex. And one of those areas is Osceola County, where the Houston Astros already train. The Nationals have approached the […]
City of Palms Park site pitched as natatorium location
The land under City of Palms Park, slated to serve one more season as the spring home of the Boston Red Sox, could become the site of a natatorium if the National Swimming Center Corp. can raise funds. City of Palms Park, slated to serve one more season as the spring home of the Boston […]
Panama City making play for minor-league ball
Reps from the city on Florida’s panhandle have reached out to the ownership of Huntsville Stars about a new ballpark in the rapidly growing municipality. Reps from Panama City, located on Florida’s panhandle, have reached out to the ownership of Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) about a new ballpark in the rapidly growing municipality. […]
Bees cause buzz at Sun Life Stadium
The visiting Washington Nationals and some fans had a bit of a surprise during last night’s game: an infestation of bees cause the Marlins to close down a few sections of seats near the visitors’ dugout at Sun Life Stadium. The visiting Washington Nationals and some fans had a bit of a surprise during last […]
Marlins ballpark construction nearing halfway point
Life is good in Miami for the Marlins: Ballpark construction is near the halfway point with no complications, and the hotel tax used to fund the facility is running ahead of projections, as the local tourism economy rebounds. Marlins President David Samson led the local media on a tour of the new ballpark and reported […]
Cubs to Naples: We prefer to stay in Arizona, thank you
The quest to bring the Chicago Cubs to a new spring-training site in Naples is all but over, as Crane Kenney politely declines the offer for now — which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone following the situation. What was surprising: how dogged the two outfits seeking the Cubs were pursuing the team, even […]
Ballpark Visit: Huggins-Stengel Field at Crescent Lake Park
We visit the former spring-training home of the New York Yankees: Huggins-Stengel Field at Crescent Lake Park. Dedicated in 1925 by St. Petersburg Mayor Al Lang, Huggins-Stengel Field was the heart of spring training for generations of baseball fans and is still a fun place to catch a baseball game. The two historic markers and […]
Roger Dean Stadium / St. Louis Cardinals / Jupiter Hammerheads & Palm Beach Cardinals
It is the busiest ballpark in professional baseball, a place where four teams play daily from the beginning of March through the middle of September. There’s no ballpark that hosts two pro teams simultaneously for two different sessions, all under the same management. Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 7,000 Architect: Populous Dimensions: 335L, 380LC, 400C, 375RC, […]
Jack Russell Memorial Stadium
A look back at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, the former home of the Philadelphia Phillies and Clearwater Phillies. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1955 Former Capacity: 6,942 Dimensions: 340L, 400C, 340R Surface: Grass Address/Directions: 800 Phillies Drive, Clearwater. Take Hwy. 19 north of St. Petersburg to Drew Street, where you’ll head west approximately four miles until you […]
Holman Stadium / Dodgertown
A look back at Holman Stadium and Dodgertown when they served as the spring-training home of the Brooklyn Dodgers/Los Angeles Dodgers. Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 6,474 Architect: Designed by Norman Bel Geddes (famous theatrical designer and architect of the Futurama building at the 1964 New York World’s Fair); engineered by Captain Emil Praeger Dimensions: 340L, […]
Charlotte County Sports Park / Tampa Bay Rays / Charlotte Stone Crabs
Longtime spring-training aficionados may be able to recognize Charlotte County Sports Park as the former spring home of the Texas Rangers, remodeled to serve as the spring home of the Tampa Bay Rays and the regular-season home of the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Maybe. FAST FACTS Opened: 1988; renovated in 2009 Cost: $5 million original construction; […]
The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville / Jacksonville Suns
Boy, $34 million doesn’t buy a lot anymore when it comes to ballparks. Case in point: the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the new $34-million home of the Jacksonville Suns. True, there’s nothing really wrong with the Baseball Grounds: when you’re settled in your new seat, the Baseball Grounds is a pleasant enough place to watch […]