Progressive Field facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Progressive Field

The Jake
Progressive Field in 2024
Progressive Field Show map of Cleveland Progressive Field Show map of Ohio Progressive Field Show map of the United States Location in Cleveland##Location in Ohio##Location in the United States
Former names	Jacobs Field (1994–2007)
Address	2401 Ontario Street
Location	Cleveland, Ohio
Coordinates	41°29′45″N 81°41′7″W / 41.49583°N 81.68528°W / 41.49583; -81.68528
Public transit	Tower City
Owner	Cuyahoga County
Operator	Gateway Economic Development Corporation
Executive suites	115
Capacity	34,820
Record attendance	45,274 (October 4, 1997; Division Series Game 5)
Field size	Left field – 325 feet (99 m) Left-center – 370 feet (113 m) Center field – 400 feet (122 m) Deep center field – 410 feet (125 m) Right-center – 375 feet (114 m) Right field – 325 feet (99 m) Backstop – 60 feet (18 m) Fence height Left field – 19 feet (6 m) Center and right fields – 9 feet (3 m)
Surface	Kentucky Bluegrass
Scoreboard	Daktronics 59 feet (18 m) high by 221 feet (67 m) wide
Construction
Broke ground	January 13, 1992
Opened	April 2, 1994
Renovated	October 2014–April 2016 October 2023–April 2025
Construction cost	$175 million ($346 million in 2022 dollars )
Architect	HOK Sport Whitley & Whitley Architects Triad Design
Structural engineer	Osborn Engineering
Services engineer	Polytech Engineering
General contractor	Huber, Hunt & Nichols
Tenants
Cleveland Guardians (MLB) 1994–present

Progressive Field is a famous baseball stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the home field for the Cleveland Guardians, a team in Major League Baseball (MLB). This stadium is part of a bigger sports area called the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. In 2008, fans even voted it the best ballpark in MLB!

The stadium first opened in 1994 and was called Jacobs Field. It replaced an older stadium where the Guardians (then called the Indians) used to play. Since 2008, it has been known as Progressive Field because a company bought the rights to the name. Many fans still call it "The Jake," a nickname from its original name.

Progressive Field has seen many exciting games. The Guardians have won many division titles and played in the World Series three times (1995, 1997, and 2016). It even hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game twice, in 1997 and 2019.

History of Progressive Field

Before Progressive Field, the Cleveland Indians played at Cleveland Stadium. This huge stadium was also shared with the Cleveland Browns football team. It was very big, holding about 78,000 people for baseball games. While it saw some great moments, it often felt too empty during games when fewer fans showed up. Because of this, the team wanted a new, more modern stadium.

Plans for a new stadium started in the 1980s. Voters in Cuyahoga County approved a special tax on alcohol and cigarettes in 1990. This tax helped pay for the new Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. This complex included the new baseball park and an arena for the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Construction for the ballpark began in January 1992. It cost about $175 million to build. The stadium was ready for its first official game on April 4, 1994. The U.S. President at the time, Bill Clinton, even threw out the first pitch! The Indians won that game against the Seattle Mariners 4–3.

Progressive Field from Carnegie Avenue and Ontario Street in 2022

Exciting Moments and Unique Events

Progressive Field quickly became a place for thrilling baseball. In 1995, the Indians played their first playoff games there in over 40 years. The stadium hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1997. That same year, it also hosted games of the World Series. This was a rare event for a stadium to host both in one season!

One memorable moment happened in 2007 during a playoff game. A swarm of tiny insects, called midges, flew onto the field. They bothered the Yankees pitcher, which helped the Indians score a tying run. This game became known as the "Bug Game."

The stadium also has some cool green features. In 2007, it became the first American League team to put solar panels on its stadium. Later, a special wind turbine was installed to help generate electricity.

Stadium Upgrades and Changes

Progressive Field has been updated several times to make it even better for fans.

2014–2016 Renovations

Between 2014 and 2016, the stadium got a big makeover.

• Areas around the right field gate were opened up. This gave fans better views of the city.
• Statues of famous players like Jim Thome, Bob Feller, and Larry Doby were moved to new spots.
• A new two-story bar called "The Corner" was built. It offers great views of the field.
• The bullpens, where pitchers warm up, were moved closer to the fans.
• A two-story Kid's Clubhouse was added. Kids can play and adults can watch the game from there.
• New food stands were added, featuring popular local Cleveland restaurants.
• New LED field lights were installed in 2017, making the field brighter.
• Wi-Fi was also added throughout the stadium for everyone to use.

These improvements helped Progressive Field host the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

A game at Progressive Field in 2024

New seats in the upper deck behind home plate

Recent Renovations (2023–2025)

More renovations started after the 2023 baseball season. These changes are expected to be finished after the 2025 season. The goal is to make the stadium even more modern and enjoyable for fans.

Fan Attendance Records

Progressive Field holds an impressive record for fan attendance. Between 1995 and 2001, the stadium sold out 455 games in a row! This means every ticket for those games was sold. The team even retired the number 455 to honor this amazing streak. The highest number of fans ever at Progressive Field was 45,274 people during a playoff game in 1997.

Stadium Names Over Time

The stadium has had two main names since it opened.

Jacobs Field (1994–2007)

When the stadium first opened in 1994, it was named Jacobs Field. This was after the team owners, Richard E. and David H. Jacobs. Fans often called it "The Jake," a nickname that many still use today.

View from the upper deck in right field

Progressive Field (2008–Present)

In 2008, a large insurance company called Progressive Corporation bought the rights to name the stadium. They paid a lot of money for this, and the stadium was renamed Progressive Field. The agreement for the naming rights was extended in 2024, so it will keep this name for many more years.

Stadium Design and Features

Progressive Field has a special design that makes it unique.

Cool Design Elements

The stadium was designed by a company called Populous. They made it a "retro-modern" ballpark. This means it looks classic but has modern features. It has different fence heights and a smaller upper deck. The stadium was built so fans could enjoy great views of Cleveland's downtown skyline.

The design also includes tall, vertical light towers. These towers are 200 feet (61 meters) high and look like smokestacks from Cleveland's industrial past. They even became part of the stadium's original logo!

Progressive Field during the 2022 American League Wild Card Series

Unique Field Layout

The baseball field itself is made of Kentucky Bluegrass. It has some interesting measurements:

• The left and right fields are both 325 feet (99 meters) from home plate.
• The left field wall is 19 feet (5.8 meters) high, like a "Little Green Monster" (a famous tall wall in another stadium).
• The center and right field walls are 9 feet (2.7 meters) high.

The stadium has traditional green seats. The bullpens, where pitchers warm up, are raised. This allows fans to get a closer look at the players getting ready for the game.

Panoramic view of the stadium from the upper deck in right field

Seating Capacity Over the Years

The number of seats at Progressive Field has changed a few times since it opened.

As of 2025, the official seating capacity is 34,820 people. This makes it one of the smaller MLB stadiums in terms of total seats. However, more fans can still fit in standing room areas.

Fun Things to Do at the Ballpark

Progressive Field offers more than just baseball!

The Corner Bar, added in 2014-2015 renovations

Kids Clubhouse

A special play area for children, called the "Kids Clubhouse," opened in 2012. It has lots of fun activities:

• Arts and crafts areas
• A climbing wall
• A mini field for practicing sliding and fielding
• A batting cage
• Large windows where adults can watch the game while kids play.

Other Events at Progressive Field

Besides baseball, the stadium hosts other exciting events.

Hockey Games

In January 2012, Progressive Field held its first ice hockey game. It was an outdoor college hockey match between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines.

Concerts

The stadium is also a popular place for concerts.

• The first concert was in 1995 with Jimmy Buffett.
• Concerts returned in 2011 with the Indians Music Festival, featuring Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton.
• In 2014, Jason Aldean played to a huge crowd of over 40,000 fans.
• Billy Joel and Luke Bryan both performed in 2017.
• In 2022, Elton John played a sold-out show as part of his farewell tour.

"Snow Days" Winter Event

In 2010 and 2011, Progressive Field hosted a winter event called "Snow Days."

• It had an ice skating track called the "Frozen Mile" around the field.
• There was a snow tubing hill called the "Batterhorn" on the bleachers.
• An ice rink, the "Frozen Diamond," covered the infield.

This event brought winter fun to the ballpark, but it only lasted two seasons.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2008, Sports Illustrated magazine named Progressive Field the Best MLB Stadium.

First Events at the Ballpark

Here are some "firsts" that happened at Progressive Field:

Images for kids

• 

  Progressive Field dimensions

See also

In Spanish: Progressive Field para niños