Hammons Field
Encyclopedia
Hammons Field is a minor league ballpark in downtown 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 Double-A Texas League
affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
as well as the Missouri State University
Bears.
One of the interesting things about this stadium is its history: 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 (still around, but now as an independent league club in the new American Association) 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
.
, 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. Twenty five suites are on the luxury box suite level which also houses a VIP Lounge and an executive kitchen. These suites feature a bar area with a mini-fridge as well as a balcony area with up to 12 stadium seats with personal speakers. The remaining three suites are on the Press Box level. These suites are all penthouse style suites and are considerably larger than their lower counterparts. Instead of featuring balconies, these units style two large sliding glass windows that allow for spectacular and unparalleled views of the stadium and playing field. 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 electronic scoreboards and JumboTron
s in the country. This screen is used for on-field replays, between innings entertainment, as well as recaps from Major League games. Atop of this screen are the flags of all of the Texas League
teams and their current standings as of the day of the game. During the Major League All-Star Game
, Hammons Field holds All-Star celebrations in which patrons can watch the game on "the largest plasma screen television in Springfield."
Designed by the local architectural firm, Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers, the stadium has been named as one of the most beautiful minor league stadiums in the country. In response, the Springfield Cardinals have enjoyed some of the minor league
's highest fan attendance rates since the team relocated to Springfield in 2005.
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, 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
John Q. Hammons
John Q. Hammons is an American businessman and one of the nation's premier developers of upscale luxury hotels and resorts. With over 50 years of experience in the hotel industry, John Q. Hammons has built and developed nearly two hundred hotels...
, 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
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
, the Double-A Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
as well as the Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
Bears.
One of the interesting things about this stadium is its history: 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
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
franchise of the Texas League (still around, but now as an independent league club in the new American Association) from the Brett Bros. and relocate it to Springfield. They became the Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
soon thereafter when the parent club ended its brief two-year affiliation with the Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
.
Stadium uniqueness
The stadium is unique due to its baseball specific outbuildings. The stadium currently has two large buildings just outside of the right-field walls. The larger of the two serves as a fully furnished indoor practice facility complete with astroturfAstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
, 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. Twenty five suites are on the luxury box suite level which also houses a VIP Lounge and an executive kitchen. These suites feature a bar area with a mini-fridge as well as a balcony area with up to 12 stadium seats with personal speakers. The remaining three suites are on the Press Box level. These suites are all penthouse style suites and are considerably larger than their lower counterparts. Instead of featuring balconies, these units style two large sliding glass windows that allow for spectacular and unparalleled views of the stadium and playing field. 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
John Q. Hammons
John Q. Hammons is an American businessman and one of the nation's premier developers of upscale luxury hotels and resorts. With over 50 years of experience in the hotel industry, John Q. Hammons has built and developed nearly two hundred hotels...
, owner of the facility.
Hammons Field also boasts one of the largest electronic scoreboards and JumboTron
Jumbotron
A JumboTron is a large-screen television using technology developed by Sony, typically used in sports stadiums and concert venues to show close-up shots of the event. Although JumboTron is a registered trademark owned by the Sony Corporation, the word jumbotron is often used by the public as a...
s in the country. This screen is used for on-field replays, between innings entertainment, as well as recaps from Major League games. Atop of this screen are the flags of all of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
teams and their current standings as of the day of the game. During the Major League All-Star Game
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
, Hammons Field holds All-Star celebrations in which patrons can watch the game on "the largest plasma screen television in Springfield."
Designed by the local architectural firm, Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers, the stadium has been named as one of the most beautiful minor league stadiums in the country. In response, the Springfield Cardinals have enjoyed some of the minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
's highest fan attendance rates since the team relocated to Springfield in 2005.
External links
- Hammons Field - FAQs
- "The Jewel of Jordan Valley Park" Webpage
- Joe Mock names Hammons Field BASEBALLPARKS.COM 2005 "Ballpark of the Year"
- Hammons Field - BallparkReviews.com
- Charlie's Ballparks - John Q. Hammons Field
- Minor League News ranks Hammons Field the #5 Minor League Ballpark in America in 2006
- Official Springfield Cardinals Site
- Texas League Web Site
- MSU Baseball Bears Page
- Tour of Hammons Field
- Designers of Hammons Field