Ed Smith Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Ed Smith Stadium
location = Sarasota, Florida
opened = 1989
owner = City of Sarasota
tenants = Cincinnati Reds (spring training) (1997-present)
Chicago White Sox (spring training) (1989-1997)
Baltimore Orioles (spring training) (1989-1991)
Sarasota Reds (FSL) (1989-present)
(under various names)
seating_capacity = 7,500

Ed Smith Stadium is a baseball field located in Sarasota, Florida. The stadium was built in 1989 to replace Payne Park [http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/EdSmith/EdSmithHP.html] as a spring training and minor league site. The stadium holds 7,500 people. It is the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds (1997-present). It was formerly the spring home of the Chicago White Sox (1989-1997) and the Baltimore Orioles (1989-1991).* It is currently home of the Single-A Sarasota Reds. Ed Smith has also hosted high school and college baseball tournaments. In the spring of 2005, a new scoreboard was installed that features animations. Outside the stadium itself there are practice fields and a large clubhouse, mainly used for the Reds' spring training camp.

A planned renovation fell through when a proposed bond issue from the city of Sarasota to partially fund the renovation was rejected by the voters. The Reds, whose lease with the city and the stadium expires after the 2008 season, have announced that they intend to seek a new spring training home. [http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071107/NEWS/711070342] They will move to Goodyear, AZ in 2010.

Dimensions

Left and Right - 340 ft.Left and Right Center - 375 ft.Center - 400 ft.

External links

* [http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2005/Sarasota/Sarasota.htm Ed Smith Stadium Views - "Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues"]
* [http://www.edsmithstadium.com "Ed Smith Stadium Website"]