Roger Dean Stadium
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,[2] 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 Class A-Advanced Baseball Florida State League, and the Gulf Coast Marlins and Gulf Coast Cardinals of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
 Roger Dean Stadium pictured in 2009 | |
| Full name | Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | 4751 Main Street Jupiter, Florida 33458 (561) 775-1818 |
| Coordinates | 26°53′28″N 80°06′59″W |
| Owner | Palm Beach County |
| Operator | Jupiter Stadium Limited[1] |
| Capacity | 6,871[2] |
| Field size | Left Field: 335 ft Left-Center: 380 ft Center Field: 400 ft Right-Center: 375 ft Right Field: 325 ft |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 6, 1997[1] |
| Opened | February 28, 1998 |
| Construction cost | US$28 million ($43.9 million in 2019 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | Populous |
| Structural engineer | Bliss & Nyitray, Inc. |
| Services engineer | Bredson & Associates, Inc.[4] |
| General contractor | Case Contracting Company |
| Tenants | |
| GCL Cardinals (GCL) (1998–present) Jupiter Hammerheads (FSL) (1998–present) | |
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 FITTEAM 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.
Roger Dean Stadium was badly damaged in 2004 by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.[5]
Cliff Politte threw the first pitch in the stadium's history in spring training, 1998.[6]
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.[7]
Roger Dean Stadium hosted the Florida State League All-Star Game in 2019.[8]
References
- Knight, Graham. "Roger Dean Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- Jarvis, Gary. "Roger Dean Stadium". Minor League Ballparks. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- "Pro Baseball Sports Facilities". Bredson & Associates, Inc. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Muret, Don (September 13, 2004). "Teams Face Repairs at Spring Training Facilities". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- "McGwire Christens New Park for Cards". Southeast Missourian. Cape Girardeau, Missouri. March 1, 1998. pp. 1B, 4B. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- Dorado, Juan (July 12, 2012). "Roger Dean Stadium to Host World Baseball Classic Qualifier". TCPalm. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- "Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to host 2019 Florida State League All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 18, 2018.