Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium
Encyclopedia
Thurman Munson
Memorial Stadium is a stadium
in Canton, Ohio
primarily used for baseball
. The facility is named after former Major League Baseball
player Thurman Munson
, who grew up in Canton. The ballpark has a capacity of 5,700 people (as of 1996) and opened in . The Ultimate Baseball League
has awarded a team to the venue, which will begin play in 2012.
It is the former home of the Canton-Akron Indians
, the Double-A minor league
affiliate of the Cleveland Indians
, which played at the ballpark from to . The team was renamed the Akron Aeros
and moved into their new ballpark in downtown Akron in . When they moved out, the ballpark became the home of the Canton Crocodiles, a team of the independent Frontier League
, through . In , the Crocodiles left the stadium and it became the home ballpark of the Canton Coyotes, also of the Frontier League. After one season Canton, the Coyotes moved to Columbia, Missouri
and changed its name to the Mid-Missouri Mavericks
.
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
Memorial Stadium is a stadium
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 Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
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...
. The facility is named after former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
, who grew up in Canton. The ballpark has a capacity of 5,700 people (as of 1996) and opened in . The Ultimate Baseball League
Ultimate Baseball League
The Ultimate Baseball League is a new independent professional baseball league based out of Canton, Ohio, and is expected to start play in a shorten 42-team game schedule with four to six teams in 2011 and a full schedule in 2012. The league plans on featuring teams east of the Mississippi River...
has awarded a team to the venue, which will begin play in 2012.
It is the former home of the Canton-Akron Indians
Canton-Akron Indians
The Canton-Akron Indians are a defunct minor league baseball team. They played in the Eastern League at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton, Ohio from 1989 to 1996...
, the Double-A minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
affiliate 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...
, which played at the ballpark from to . The team was renamed the Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
and moved into their new ballpark in downtown Akron in . When they moved out, the ballpark became the home of the Canton Crocodiles, a team of the independent Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
, through . In , the Crocodiles left the stadium and it became the home ballpark of the Canton Coyotes, also of the Frontier League. After one season Canton, the Coyotes moved to Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
and changed its name to the Mid-Missouri Mavericks
Mid-Missouri Mavericks
The Mid-Missouri Mavericks are a former minor league baseball team which played in Columbia, Missouri, in the United States. The team was a member of the independent Frontier League, and has no association with a Major League Baseball team. From 2003 through 2005 the team played at Taylor...
.
Stadium facts
- Located on Allen Avenue SE, Canton
- Opened in 1989 and named after Thurman MunsonThurman MunsonThurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
, a New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
catcherCatcherCatcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who was killed when his private plane was attempting to land at Akron-Canton Regional AirportAkron-Canton Regional AirportAkron-Canton Regional Airport is a commercial Class C airport located in the city of Green, in southern Summit County, Ohio roughly southeast of Akron, northwest of Canton, and northeast of Massillon...
in Summit CountySummit County, OhioSummit County is an urban county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 542,899. In the 2010 Census the population was 541,781. Its county seat is Akron...
on August 2, 1979. - Has a seating capacity of 5,700 people (reported in 1996).
- It is constructed almost entirely of aluminum
- Home to "Bowling For Soup" Concert Sept. 11th 2003, Put on by Sluggers & Putters and Q92 Radio.
- In the clubhouse, an empty locker with Munson's number 15 on it, remains as a tribute to the player.
- Munson's number 15 is also displayed on the center field wall.
- Munson's son played for the Canton Coyotes during the stadium's last season of use.]
- Is available for High School, College, or Youth Tournament use. The Stadium is now managed and leased by OHIOMSBL, a Men's Senior Baseball League. To arrange a rental, you must call OHIOMSBL Management Group at(330) 671-3339, or register online at www.munsonstadium.com.
External links
- ballparkreviews.com stadium profile
- minorleagueballparks.com stadium profile
- stadium profile and photos