List of baseball parks in Tampa Bay, Florida facts for kids

The Tampa Bay area in Florida is a super important place for baseball! Many famous teams have played here over the years. This area includes cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. It's been home to exciting games, from early days to modern professional teams.

George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa

Tropicana Field, St. Pete

Baseball Parks in Tampa Bay

Baseball has a long history in Tampa Bay. Many different fields have hosted games. Some were used for "spring training," which is when professional teams practice before the regular season starts. Others were for "minor league" teams, where players develop their skills.

Early Baseball Fields

Long ago, some baseball fields didn't even have official names!

• Early Tampa Field
  • This field was home to the Tampa, Florida State League team in 1892. We don't know its original name.

• Plant Field (1899–2002)
  • This field was also known as Pepin-Rood Stadium later on.
  • It hosted many famous teams for spring training, including the Chicago Cubs (1913-16), Boston Red Sox (1919), Washington Senators (1920s), Detroit Tigers (1930s), Cincinnati Reds (1930-54), and Chicago White Sox (1954).
  • Minor league teams like the Tampa Smokers played here for many years.
  • Today, the University of Tampa uses this area for its sports fields.

• Early St. Petersburg Field (opened 1908)
  • This field was home to the St. Petersburg Saints from 1908 to 1911.
  • It was located near Mirror Lake but was eventually covered by the lake as it grew.

• Symonette Field
  • The St. Petersburg Saints played here from 1912 to 1914.
  • It was located on Tangerine Avenue.

• Coffee Pot Park (opened 1914)
  • Also called Sunshine Park, this field hosted spring training for the St. Louis Browns (1914) and Philadelphia Phillies (1915–1918).
  • The St. Petersburg Saints minor league team also played here.
  • This area is now residential housing.

• Moore Field
  • This field in St. Petersburg hosted some minor league games in the 1920s.

• Clearwater Athletic Field (opened 1923)
  • Originally called Brooklyn Field, this park was a spring training home for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1923–1932), Cleveland Indians (1942), and Philadelphia Phillies (1947–1954).
  • A fire destroyed its grandstand in 1956.
  • Today, it's the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex.

Famous Spring Training Spots

Many legendary baseball players trained in Tampa Bay.

• St. Petersburg Athletic Park (opened 1923)
  • Also known as Waterfront Park, this field hosted spring training for the Boston Braves (1921 or 1922–1937), New York Yankees (1925–1942, 1946–1947), and St. Louis Cardinals (1938–1942, 1946–1947).
  • The St. Petersburg Saints minor league team also played here.
  • This park was in the same spot as the later Al Lang Field.

• Al Lang Stadium (opened 1947)
  • This stadium, also called Al Lang Field, was a very popular spring training spot.
  • Teams like the New York Yankees (1947–1950, 1952–1961), St. Louis Cardinals (1947–1997), New York Mets (1962–1987), and Baltimore Orioles (1991–1995) trained here.
  • The Tampa Bay Rays even played some spring training games here from 1998 to 2008.
  • Minor league teams like the St. Petersburg Saints and St. Petersburg Cardinals also called it home.
  • Today, Al Lang Stadium is used for soccer games.

• Jack Russell Memorial Stadium (1955–2003)
  • Originally Jack Russell Field, this stadium was the spring training home for the Philadelphia Phillies for many years (1955–2003).
  • The Clearwater Phillies minor league team also played here.

• Al Lopez Field (opened 1955)
  • This field hosted spring training for the Chicago White Sox (1955–1959) and Cincinnati Reds (1960–1987).
  • The Tampa Tarpons minor league team played here too.
  • It was located near where Raymond James Stadium is today.

Modern Stadiums for Pro Teams

The Tampa Bay area continues to be a major hub for baseball.

Tropicana Field: Home of the Rays

• Tropicana Field (opened 1990)
  • This famous stadium was once known as Florida Suncoast Dome and Thunderdome.
  • It has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League since 1998.
  • However, due to hurricane damage, the stadium is temporarily closed. The Rays are playing elsewhere while it's being fixed.
  • It's located in St. Petersburg.

George M. Steinbrenner Field: Yankees' Spring Home

• George M. Steinbrenner Field (opened 1996)
  • This stadium is the spring training home for the legendary New York Yankees (1996–present).
  • The Tampa Tarpons minor league team and the Gulf Coast Yankees also play here.
  • The Tampa Bay Rays are temporarily playing here starting in 2025 while Tropicana Field is under reconstruction.
  • It's located in Tampa, right next to Raymond James Stadium.

Bright House Field: Phillies' Spring Home

• Bright House Field (opened 2004)
  • This stadium is the current spring training home for the Philadelphia Phillies (2004–present).
  • The Clearwater Threshers minor league team also plays here.
  • It's located in Clearwater.

Future Plans: Gas Plant Stadium

• Gas Plant Stadium
  • There are plans for a new stadium called Gas Plant Stadium in St. Petersburg.
  • It is expected to become the new home for the Tampa Bay Rays starting in 2028.

Learn More

• Lists of baseball parks
• Baseball in the Tampa Bay Area