Goodyear Ballpark
Encyclopedia
Goodyear Ballpark is a stadium
in Goodyear, Arizona
and part of a $108 million baseball complex that is the current spring training
home of the Cleveland Indians
and the Cincinnati Reds
. The stadium opened to the public with a grand opening ceremony on February 21, 2009 and held its first Cactus League spring training baseball game on February 25, 2009. The stadium complex is owned by the city of Goodyear and contains the main field with a seating capacity of 10,000 along with several practice fields and team offices.
The main entrance of the stadium is modern and uses surfaces mimicking dark stained wood and polished metal. The entrance houses a team shop, several concession stands and is decorated with Indians posters on the 1st base side and Reds on the 3rd base side. The entrance also has a third story terrace patio that can be rented for private parties. Outside the main entrance, the concourse features a 60 foot 6 inch fiberglass statue titled "The Ziz" created by artist Donald Lipski
. The main entrance structure does not interfere with the inside the stadium which is a single tier of seating. Free standing polished metal awnings with fabric shades provide shelter from the sun down the third base line. Bullpens are located off the field in left and left center field. There is a large scoreboard in left field with general admission seating on a grass berm at its base. A cinder block concession stand in center field is painted dark green to provide a back drop for the hitters. Right field features a second grass berm and a patio seating area and bar. The patio and bar area, like the Terrace patio, can be rented for private parties. There is a child play area with a Wiffle Ball field, inflatable batting and pitching games located on the first base side of the stadium.
Goodyear Ballpark replaces Chain of Lakes Park
in Winter Haven, Florida
, as the Indians' spring training home, and Ed Smith Stadium
in Sarasota, Florida
, as the Reds' spring training home. The stadium is primarily used for baseball
but also hosts community events such as the Goodyear Symphony Pops Concert, Independence Day Fireworks and a monthly Farmer's Market.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 65,275...
and part of a $108 million baseball complex that is the current spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
home of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. The stadium opened to the public with a grand opening ceremony on February 21, 2009 and held its first Cactus League spring training baseball game on February 25, 2009. The stadium complex is owned by the city of Goodyear and contains the main field with a seating capacity of 10,000 along with several practice fields and team offices.
The main entrance of the stadium is modern and uses surfaces mimicking dark stained wood and polished metal. The entrance houses a team shop, several concession stands and is decorated with Indians posters on the 1st base side and Reds on the 3rd base side. The entrance also has a third story terrace patio that can be rented for private parties. Outside the main entrance, the concourse features a 60 foot 6 inch fiberglass statue titled "The Ziz" created by artist Donald Lipski
Donald Lipski
Donald Lipski is an American sculptor. He is best known for his provocative works with objects, his installation work and his large scale public works.- LIFE :...
. The main entrance structure does not interfere with the inside the stadium which is a single tier of seating. Free standing polished metal awnings with fabric shades provide shelter from the sun down the third base line. Bullpens are located off the field in left and left center field. There is a large scoreboard in left field with general admission seating on a grass berm at its base. A cinder block concession stand in center field is painted dark green to provide a back drop for the hitters. Right field features a second grass berm and a patio seating area and bar. The patio and bar area, like the Terrace patio, can be rented for private parties. There is a child play area with a Wiffle Ball field, inflatable batting and pitching games located on the first base side of the stadium.
Goodyear Ballpark replaces Chain of Lakes Park
Chain of Lakes Park
Chain of Lakes Park is a baseball field located in Winter Haven, Florida. The stadium was built in 1966 and holds 7,000 people. It was the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox from 1966 to 1992, after which the Red Sox relocated operations to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida.In...
in Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
, as the Indians' spring training home, and Ed Smith Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium is a baseball field located in Sarasota, Florida. The stadium was built in 1989 to replace Payne Park as a Spring Training and Minor League Baseball site. In 2010, the Baltimore Orioles began playing spring games at the ballpark.-History:...
in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
, as the Reds' spring training home. The stadium is primarily used for baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
but also hosts community events such as the Goodyear Symphony Pops Concert, Independence Day Fireworks and a monthly Farmer's Market.