Suplizio Field facts for kids
 Sam Suplizio Field
Sam Suplizio Field
Location in the United States##Location in Colorado
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| Address | 12th Street and North Avenue (U.S. Route 6) |
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| Location | Grand Junction, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39°04′37″N 108°33′00″W / 39.077°N 108.550°W |
| 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 (125 m) Center field: 400 feet (122 m) Right-center field: 365 feet (111 m) Right field foul line: 330 feet (101 m) |
| Surface | Natural 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 Jackalopes (2012–present) |
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Sam Suplizio Field is a cool baseball park located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It's named after a famous baseball player and coach, Sam Suplizio. He played for the Denver Bears and was a promising player for the New York Yankees. Today, Sam Suplizio Field is the home stadium for the Grand Junction Jackalopes, a team in the independent Pioneer League.
This awesome stadium is found in Lincoln Park, just a bit northeast of downtown Grand Junction. It's right next to another stadium called Ralph Stocker Stadium. Besides the Jackalopes, Sam Suplizio Field also hosts the Colorado Mesa Mavericks baseball team and local high school baseball games. Since 1958, it has been the home of the Junior College World Series, a big event for college baseball players. The field has natural grass and sits high up, about 4,610 feet (1,405 m) above sea level.
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Making the Field Even Better: Renovations
What Improvements Were Made?
In June 2011, Sam Suplizio Field and Ralph Stocker Stadium got a major upgrade! They went through an $8.3 million renovation project. The old concrete seats along the first base line at Suplizio Field were replaced. Also, the original seats and press box at Ralph Stocker Stadium were updated.
The new section included brand-new seating for fans at both stadiums. It also featured a new two-story press box, which is where reporters and broadcasters work. Plus, they added a special mezzanine level that made the stadium easier for everyone to access, including people with disabilities. All these improvements were ready for use by May 2012, just in time for more exciting baseball games!
Who Plays Here?
Teams and Schools at Suplizio Field
Many different teams and schools call Sam Suplizio Field their home or play games here. It's a busy place for baseball!
- Grand Junction Jackalopes (a professional team)
- Colorado Mesa Mavericks baseball (a college team)
- Grand Junction High School
- Central High School
- Fruita Monument High School
- Palisade High School
An Award-Winning Field
Recognitions for Sam Suplizio Field
Sam Suplizio Field has even won awards! In 2009, it was named the Colorado Field of the Year. This award came from the Colorado Sports Turf Managers Association, which recognizes great sports fields in the state. It shows how well the field is taken care of!
