Hammons Field

Hammons Field is a minor league baseball stadium located in Springfield, Missouri, with a capacity of 7,986 plus approximately 2,500 general admission seating. The facility, funded entirely by local businessman, hotel mogul and benefactor John Q. Hammons, is the centerpiece of the midtown development project, Jordan Valley Park, on the corner of Sherman Avenue and Trafficway Boulevard. Completed in April 2004, it is home to the Springfield Cardinals, the Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals as well as the Missouri State University Bears.

Hammons Field
Hammons Field
Full nameJohn Q. Hammons Field
Location955 East Trafficway
Springfield, MO 65802-3671
(417) 863-0395
Coordinates37°12′40″N 93°16′47″W
Public transitBus interchange Springfield Transit Services
OwnerThe City of Springfield
OperatorThe City of Springfield Industries
Capacity10,486 (7,986 seats plus 2,500 general admission)[1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 315 feet (96.0 m)
Left-Center: 365 feet (111.3 m)
Center Field: 400 feet (122.0 m)
Right-Center: 365 feet (111.3 m)
Right Field: 330 feet (100.6 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundJuly 17, 2002[2]
OpenedApril 2, 2004[3]
Construction cost$32 million
($49.6 million in 2022 dollars[4])
ArchitectCDFM2
Pellham-Phillips-Hagerman
Structural engineerWells & Scaletty[5]
General contractorKillian Construction Co.
Tenants
Springfield Cardinals (TL/Double-A Central) 2005–present
Missouri State Bears (NCAA) 2004–present
Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament 2004, 2007, 2012, 2022

Hammons built the ballpark before he had a minor league team secured to play in the stadium, though he steadfastly assured local residents it would be the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was ultimately able to persuade the Cardinals to purchase the El Paso Diablos franchise of the Texas League from the Brett Bros. and relocate it to Springfield. They became the Springfield Cardinals soon thereafter when the parent club ended its brief two-year affiliation with the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League.

In February 2023, the city of Springfield purchased Hammons Field and its surrounding parking lots for $12 million with plans to spend $4 million on stadium improvements.[6]

Features

The stadium is unique due to its baseball specific outbuildings. The stadium currently has two large buildings just outside the right-field walls. The larger of the two serves as a fully furnished indoor practice facility complete with astroturf, batting cages, and a small diamond for drills. The smaller building serves as administration, including General Manager offices, as well as housing both home teams' clubhouses, a cardio workout facility, and the physical trainer's office.

The stadium is also furnished with 28 luxury box suites. Only two of the Press Box level suites are available for use. The largest of the three is a personal suite for Mr. John Q. Hammons, owner of the facility.

Hammons Field also boasts one of the largest high-definition video boards in Minor League Baseball.[7][8]

Events

In 2004, 2007 and 2012, the venue hosted the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament.[9][10][11]

See also

References
  1. Mock, Joe. "Hammons Field in Springfield, MO". Baseball Parks. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  2. Nina, Rao (July 18, 2002). "Project Expected to be Completed by March 1, 2004". Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  3. Knight, Graham. "Hammons Field". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  4. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  5. Wells, Jeffrey D. (August 2004). "Play Ball!" (PDF). Modern Steel Construction. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  6. Sullender, Andrew (February 14, 2023). "Hammons Field sold: Springfield City Council approves $16 million purchase and renovation". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  7. "Hammons Field ready for major scoreboard upgrade".
  8. "Hammons Field - Killian Construction Co". www.killco.com.
  9. "2004 MVC Baseball Championship". Missouri Valley Conference. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  10. "2006-07 Championship Results". Missouri Valley Conference. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  11. "2011-12 Championship Info & Results". Missouri Valley Conference. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
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