Suplizio Field facts for kids
| Location | 12th Street and North Avenue Grand Junction, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Owner | City of Grand Junction |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Field size | Left field foul line: 302 feet (92 m) Left field: 365 feet (111 m) Left-center field: 410 feet (120 m) Center field: 400 feet (120 m) Right-center field: 365 feet (111 m) Right field foul line: 330 feet (100 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | 1949 |
| Tenants | |
| Colorado Mesa University (1949-present) Mesa County School District 51 High School Baseball (1958-present) JUCO Baseball World Series (1958-present) Grand Junction Rockies (2012-present) |
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Sam Suplizio Field is a baseball stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It's a special place for baseball fans! The stadium is named after Sam Suplizio, a talented baseball player and coach. He played for the Denver Bears and was a prospect for the New York Yankees.
Today, Sam Suplizio Field is the home field for the Grand Junction Rockies. This team plays in the Pioneer League, which is a league for professional baseball teams. The stadium is also a key spot for college and high school baseball. It's the main home for the Colorado Mesa University baseball team and local high school teams. Since 1958, it has also hosted the Junior College World Series, a big tournament for college baseball teams.
The stadium is located in Lincoln Park, just northeast of downtown Grand Junction. It's right next to another stadium called Ralph Stocker Stadium.
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Stadium Upgrades
Sam Suplizio Field has been improved over the years to make it even better for players and fans.
Big Renovation Project
In June 2011, Sam Suplizio Field and Ralph Stocker Stadium had a major renovation project. This project cost about $8.3 million. The goal was to replace old parts of the stadiums.
The old concrete seats along the first base line at Suplizio Field were replaced. Also, the old seating and press box at Ralph Stocker Stadium were updated.
New Features for Fans and Media
The renovation added new seating for both stadiums. It also included a new two-story press box. A press box is where reporters and broadcasters sit to cover the games. There was also a new mezzanine level built, which is a kind of balcony. This new area was designed to be easy for people with disabilities to access. All these improvements were ready for use by May 2012.
Awards and Recognition
Sam Suplizio Field has received awards for being a great baseball field.
- In 2009, the Colorado Sports Turf Managers Association named it the "Colorado Field of the Year." This award shows how well the field's grass and playing surface are maintained.
