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

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This article is about the different places where professional baseball has been played in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. This includes cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Many famous teams have used these fields for spring training or minor league games.

Tropicana Field Playing Field Opening Day 2010
Tropicana Field, St. Pete

Early Baseball Fields

In the early days of baseball, many fields were used for games, even if their names aren't remembered today.

Tampa's First Field (1892)

One of the earliest known baseball fields in Tampa was used by the Tampa, Florida State League team, but its name is now lost to history. It was only used for one year in 1892.

Plant Field (1899–2002)

Plant Field was a very important baseball spot in Tampa for over 100 years. It was later known as Pepin-Rood Stadium.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League and University Home:
    • Tampa Smokers (1919-1954)
    • University of Tampa (1933-1936)
  • Location: It was located on the grounds east of North Boulevard and south of Cass Street.
  • Today: This area is now part of the University of Tampa's athletic fields.

St. Petersburg's First Fields

St. Petersburg also had early baseball fields, though some were short-lived.

Mirror Lake Field (1908–1911)

An unnamed field opened in St. Petersburg in 1908. It was home to the St. Petersburg Saints from 1908 to 1911. It was located on the northeast side of Mirror Lake. The lake expanded in 1911 and flooded the field.

Symonette Field (1912–1914)

After the Mirror Lake field flooded, the St. Petersburg Saints moved to Symonette Field. This field was used from 1912 to 1914. It was located on Tangerine Avenue, just west of 40th Street.

Coffee Pot Park (1914)

Coffee Pot Park, also called Sunshine Park, opened in 1914.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • St. Petersburg Saints (1914-1928)
  • Location: It was at the head of Coffee Pot Bayou, near 22nd Avenue North and First Street North.
  • Today: The area is now covered by residential housing.

Moore Field

Moore Field in St. Petersburg was briefly used for baseball.

  • Teams: The Indianapolis Indians and St. Petersburg Saints played here around 1920-1921.
  • Location: It was located at Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue South.

Clearwater's Early Fields

Clearwater also played a big part in baseball history, especially for spring training.

Clearwater Athletic Field (1923)

Clearwater Athletic Field, originally called Brooklyn Field, opened in 1923.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • Clearwater Pelicans (1924)
  • Location: It was located in Clearwater, with home plate on Pennsylvania Avenue.
  • Today: The site is now the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex.

Major League Spring Training Hubs

Some stadiums became very popular for major league teams to hold their spring training.

St. Petersburg Athletic Park (1923)

This park, also known as Waterfront Park, opened in 1923. It was a popular spot for spring training.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • St. Petersburg Saints (1921-1928)
  • Location: This park was located at the same spot as the later Al Lang Stadium.

Al Lang Stadium (1947)

Al Lang Stadium, also known as Al Lang Field, opened in 1947 and became a very famous spring training location.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League and University Home:
    • St. Petersburg Saints (1947-1965)
    • St. Petersburg Cardinals (1965-1997)
    • St. Petersburg Pelicans (1989-1990)
    • St. Petersburg Devil Rays (1998-2000)
  • Location: It is in St. Petersburg, near Second Avenue Southeast and Bay Shore Drive Southeast.
  • Today: The stadium is now used for soccer games.

Jack Russell Memorial Stadium (1955–2003)

Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, originally Jack Russell Field, was a key baseball venue in Clearwater.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • Clearwater Phillies (1985-2003)
  • Location: It was located at 800 Phillies Drive in Clearwater, just east of the old Clearwater Athletic Field.

Al Lopez Field (1955)

Al Lopez Field opened in Tampa in 1955 and hosted several teams.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • Tampa Tarpons (1957-1988)
  • Location: It was located in the northeast part of what is now the Raymond James Stadium area.

Modern Baseball Stadiums

The Tampa Bay area is home to modern stadiums, including a Major League Baseball park.

Tropicana Field (1990)

Tropicana Field opened in 1990 and is the current home for the Tampa Bay Rays. It was previously known as Florida Suncoast Dome and Thunderdome.

  • Home of:
  • Location: It is located in St. Petersburg at 1 Tropicana Drive.

George M. Steinbrenner Field (1996)

George M. Steinbrenner Field opened in 1996 and is a major spring training site.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • Tampa Tarpons (1996-present)
    • Gulf Coast Yankees (1990-present)
  • Location: It is in Tampa, just northwest of the Raymond James Stadium complex.

Bright House Field (2004)

Bright House Field opened in 2004 in Clearwater.

  • Spring Training Home:
  • Minor League Home:
    • Clearwater Threshers (2004-present)
  • Location: It is located at 601 Old Coachman Road in Clearwater.

See also

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