Knology Park

Infobox_Baseball_Stadium
stadium_name = Knology Park
nickname =


location = 373-A Douglas Ave
Dunedin, FL 34698
broke_ground =
opened = 1990
closed =
demolished =
owner = City of Dunedin Leisure Services Department
operator =
surface =
construction_cost = $2.4 million
architect =
former_names = Dunedin Stadium
Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field
seating_capacity = 5,509
tenants = Toronto Blue Jays (Spring Training)
Dunedin Blue Jays (FSL)
Dunedin High School baseball
dimensions = Left Field - 333 ft
Left-Center - 380 ft
Center Field - 400 ft
Right-Center - 363 ft
Right Field - 336 ft

Knology Park is a baseball field located in Dunedin, Florida. The stadium was built in 1990 and holds 5,509 people. It is the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as home to the Dunedin High School Falcons baseball team. It was formerly known as Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field.

[http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1961/img0566ja4.jpg]

From 1977 until 1989, the Blue Jays played at Grant Field, which had a seating capacity of 3,417. Grant Field opened in 1930 and was named after the mayor of Dunedin who had donated the land. The first Toronto Blue Jays game ever was played there on March 11, 1977 when the Blue Jays beat the New York Mets 3-1.

In 1990, at a cost of approximately $2.4 million dollars, the City of Dunedin built a new stadium called Dunedin Stadium at the same location as Grant Field. It had a capacity of 6,106. The actual playing field and team clubhouses did not change.

In the fall of 2000, the Toronto Blue Jays signed an agreement to remain in Dunedin for an additional 15 years pending a $12-million renovation. The state of Florida paid $6 million, Pinellas County $3 million, and the Jays and Dunedin paid the remainder for the renovations. The agreement took effect in March 2002. Part of the renovations have included a new two-story building that includes a clubhouse, training room, weight room, and office space that was built next to the stadium. The most recent renovations at Knology Park include remodeled restrooms and replacement of the grandstand seats.

On February 6, 2004, Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field was renamed Knology Park.

Knology Park is ranked by Sports Illustrated as one of the top five facilities to watch a Major League Baseball Spring Training game. Dunedin has been the only spring home for the Toronto Blue Jays. Knology Park is a community ballpark in which Dunedin residents and visitors can enjoy Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training, Dunedin Blue Jays Minor League Baseball, Dunedin Falcons High School Baseball and various additional community events throughout the year.

The current park capacity is 5,509 individual seats and features include a press box level with air-conditioned skyboxes, three picnic areas, two air-conditioned rooms, a scoreboard with electronic message display, regulation-sized Major League playing field and lighting, two half-fields (one natural grass & one artificial turf), batting tunnels, and full concession capabilities. In addition, the administrative offices feature an executive boardroom, dining room and kitchen, classroom, clubhouse and workout and training facilities.

Bobby Mattick Training Center

The Bobby Mattick Training Center (located off Solon Avenue in Dunedin) features five full-sized diamonds with four configured in a cloverleaf surrounding a central viewing area with bleacher seating and concession stand. There is also an artificial turf half field. The administrative offices feature an executive boardroom, dining room and kitchen, classroom, clubhouse and workout and training facilities. All facilities are available for rental.

External links

* [http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2004/Dunedin/Dunedin.htm Knology Park Views - "Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues"]