Roger Dean Stadium Explained

Stadium Name:Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Logo Image:Roger Dean Stadium Logo.png
Fullname:Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Location:4751 Main Street
Jupiter, Florida 33458
(561) 775-1818
Coordinates:26.8911°N -80.1164°W
Broke Ground:March 6, 1997[1]
Opened:February 28, 1998
Owner:Palm Beach County
Operator:Jupiter Stadium Limited
Surface:Grass
Construction Cost:US$28 million
($ in dollars)
Architect:Populous
Structural Engineer:Bliss & Nyitray, Inc.
Services Engineer:Bredson & Associates, Inc.[2]
General Contractor:Case Contracting Company
Tenants:GCL Cardinals (GCL) (1998–present)
Jupiter Hammerheads (FSL) (1998-present)
Montreal Expos (MLB) (spring training) (1998–2002)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (spring training) (1998–present)
Palm Beach Cardinals (FSL) (1998-present)
GCL Marlins (GCL) (2003–present)
Florida / Miami Marlins (MLB) (spring training) (2003–present)
Seating Capacity:6,871[3]
Dimensions:Left Field: 335 ft
Left-Center: 380 ft
Center Field: 400 ft
Right-Center: 375 ft
Right Field: 325 ft

Roger Dean Stadium (officially known as Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium) is a baseball stadium located in the Abacoa community of the town of Jupiter, Florida. The stadium was built in 1998, holds 6,871 people,[3] and features luxury sky-box seating, two levels of permanent seating, parking and concessions. The Roger Dean Stadium Complex is the only stadium in the country to host four minor league teams: the Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League, and the Florida Complex League Marlins and Florida Complex League Cardinals of the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Roger Dean Stadium is one of only two stadiums in Florida to host two Major League Baseball teams annually for spring training: the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals (the other is The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, which opened in 2017, hosting the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros). In both venues, the teams share the main stadium where the games are played. However, the teams have their own practice fields, outdoor batting cages, several pitching mounds, and state-of-the-art conditioning rooms.

History

Through 2002, the Montreal Expos shared the stadium with the Cardinals, until they swapped with the Marlins as part of the Marlins' sale to Jeffrey Loria. The Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals, then moved to Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

The Roger Dean Stadium was badly damaged in 2004 by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.[4]

Cliff Politte threw the first pitch in the stadium's history in spring training, 1998.[5]

In September 2012, the stadium hosted a qualifying round for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Spain, France, Israel, and South Africa took part in the qualifier.[6]

Roger Dean Stadium hosted the Florida State League All-Star Game in 2019.[7]

In February 2022, Roger Dean Stadium was the site of negotiations between Major League Baseball and the players' union as part of the 2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roger Dean Stadium. Graham. Knight. Baseball Pilgrimages. March 5, 2014.
  2. Web site: Pro Baseball Sports Facilities. Bredson & Associates, Inc.. August 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20020410063926/http://www.bredson.com/page19.html. April 10, 2002.
  3. Web site: Roger Dean Stadium. Gary. Jarvis. Minor League Ballparks. March 5, 2014. October 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029223935/http://www.minorleagueballparks.com/roge_fl.html. dead.
  4. Web site: Teams Face Repairs at Spring Training Facilities. Don. Muret. SportsBusiness Journal. September 13, 2004. March 5, 2014.
  5. News: McGwire Christens New Park for Cards. Southeast Missourian. Cape Girardeau, Missouri. March 1, 1998. March 5, 2014. 1B, 4B.
  6. News: Roger Dean Stadium to Host World Baseball Classic Qualifier. Juan. Dorado. TCPalm. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. July 12, 2012. July 27, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306034644/http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jul/12/roger-dean-stadium-to-host-world-baseball-classic-/. dead. March 6, 2014.
  7. Web site: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to host 2019 Florida State League All-Star Game. Minor League Baseball. June 18, 2018.
  8. 1495791880650559488. ByJamesWagner. MLB & the players' union are expected to meet this week, starting with a session at 1 pm today at Roger Dean Stadium…. 21 February 2022.