Grayson Stadium

Grayson Stadium
Historic Grayson Stadium
Full name William L. Grayson Stadium
Former names Municipal Stadium[1]
Location 1401 East Victory Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31404
Owner City of Savannah
Operator Savannah Bananas
Capacity 4,000[2]
Field size Left Field: 322 feet (98 m)
Center Field: 400 feet (120 m)
Right Field: 310 feet (94 m)
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground 1925
Built April 1926[1]
Renovated 1941
2009
Construction cost $140,000
($1.94 million in 2017 dollars[3] )
Tenants
Savannah Indians (SEL) (1926–1928)
Savannah Indians (1936–1942) (SL)
Savannah Indians (1946–1953) (SL)
Savannah Athletics (1954–1955) (SL)
Savannah Redlegs (1956–1958) (SL)
Savannah Reds (SL) (1959)
Savannah Pirates (SL) (1960)
Savannah White Sox (SL) (1962)
Savannah Senators (SL) (1968–1969)
Savannah Indians (SL) (1970)
Savannah Braves (SL) (1971–1983)
Savannah Cardinals (SAL) (1984–1995)
Savannah Sand Gnats (SAL) (1996–2015)
Savannah Bananas (CPL) (2016–present)

William L. Grayson Stadium is a stadium in Savannah, Georgia. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Savannah Bananas of the Coastal Plain League collegiate summer baseball league. It was also the part-time home of the Savannah State University college baseball team.[4] It was also used from 1927 until 1959 for the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Savannah High School and Benedictine Military School.[5] Known as "Historic Grayson Stadium" it was built in 1926. It holds 4,000 people.[2]

History

Originally known as Municipal Stadium, the park underwent major renovations in 1941 following a devastating hurricane in 1940.[1] Spanish–American War veteran General William L. Grayson led the effort to get the $150,000 needed to rebuild the stadium. Half of the funds came from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In recognition of Grayson's work, the stadium was renamed in his honor.

The first integrated South Atlantic League game took place at Grayson Stadium on April 14, 1953.[6]

The park recently went through a two-year renovation process that started prior to the 2007 season.[7]

Grayson Stadium was the venue for the 2017 GHSA Baseball Championships for Class 1A Private, Class 2A, Class 3A, and Class 5A, where Wayne County, Georgia Yellow Jacket fans set an attendance record for their doubleheader vs Loganville 5/25/17 in the 5A Championship.[8]

Timeline

In May 2009 a engaged couple decided to make the stadium the location of their wedding. Jeremy D Gillespie and Karen E Dimler were married on home plate before the start of a Savannah Sand Gnats game. They became the first couple in stadium history to be married in the park.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Passanisi, Mike. "History". Savannah Sand Gnats. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Crumlish, Paul (2002). "William L. Grayson Stadium". Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  3. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  4. ↑ "2009 Baseball Schedule". Savannah State University. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  5. ↑ "History of Grayson Stadium". Savannah Sand Gnats. March 3, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  6. ↑ Loverro, Thom (May 19, 2005). "Baseball Matters: William Grayson Stadium and the Savannah Sand Gnats". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  7. ↑ Dominitz, Nathan (October 3, 2007). "Aging Grayson Getting $5 Million Makeover". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.ghsa.net/baseball-state-championship-schedule-now-finalized

Coordinates: 32°2′41″N 81°4′44″W / 32.04472°N 81.07889°W / 32.04472; -81.07889

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