{{Short description|Baseball park at Springfield, Missouri, U.S.}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox venue | name = Route 66 Stadium | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_size = | logo_caption = | image = Hammons field springfield.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Route 66 Stadium (as Hammons Field) in 2011 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 13 | pushpin_map = Missouri # USA | pushpin_relief = yes | fullname = | former_names = Hammons Field (2004–2026) | address = 955 East Trafficway | city = Springfield, Missouri | coordinates = {{coord|37|12|40|N|93|16|47|W|type:landmark_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}} | public_transit = {{rint|bus|1}} Springfield Transit Services | owner = The City of Springfield | operator = The City of Springfield Industries | capacity = 10,486 (7,986 seats plus 2,500 general admission)<ref>{{cite web |title=Hammons Field in Springfield, MO |first=Joe |last=Mock |url=http://www.baseballparks.com/Springfield.asp |work=Baseball Parks |access-date=September 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221085716/http://www.baseballparks.com/Springfield.asp |archive-date=December 21, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | record_attendance = | dimensions = Left Field: 315 feet (96.0 m)<br>Left-Center: 365 feet (111.3 m)<br>Center Field: 400 feet (122.0 m)<br>Right-Center: 365 feet (111.3 m)<br>Right Field: 330 feet (100.6 m) | surface = Grass | broke_ground = July 17, 2002<ref>{{cite news |title=Project Expected to be Completed by March 1, 2004 |first=Rao |last=Nina |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/news_leader/access/2541060481.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+18%2C+2002&author=Rao+Nina&pub=Springfield+News+Leader&edition=&startpage=B.6&desc=Project+expected+to+be+completed+by+March+1%2C+2004 |newspaper=Springfield News-Leader |date=July 18, 2002 |access-date=March 2, 2012 |id={{ProQuest|911583985}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319005231/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/news_leader/doc/911583985.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul%2018,%202002&author=Rao%20Nina&pub=Springfield%20News%20Leader&edition=&startpage=B.6&desc=Project%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20by%20March%201,%202004 |archive-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref> | opened = {{Start date|2004|04|02}}<!-- April 2, 2004 --><ref>{{cite web |title=Hammons Field |first=Graham |last=Knight |url=http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/minors/springfield.html |work=Baseball Pilgrimages |access-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref> | cost = $32 million<br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|32000000|2004}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) | architect = CDFM2<br>Pellham-Phillips-Hagerman | structural_engineer = Wells & Scaletty<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wells |first1=Jeffrey D. |title=Play Ball! |magazine=Modern Steel Construction |date=August 2004 |url=https://cloud.aisc.org/msc/archive/2004/2004v08.pdf#page=20 |access-date=April 25, 2026 |publisher=American Institute of Steel Construction}}</ref> | general_contractor = Killian Construction Co. | tenants = Springfield Cardinals (TL) 2005–present<br>Missouri State Bears (NCAA) 2004–present<br>Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament 2004, 2007, 2012, 2022 }}
'''Route 66 Stadium''' (formerly '''Hammons Field''') is a minor league baseball stadium located in Springfield, Missouri, with a capacity of 7,986 plus approximately 2,500 general admission seating. The facility, funded entirely by local businessman, hotel mogul and benefactor John Q. Hammons, is the centerpiece of the midtown development project, Jordan Valley Park, on the corner of Sherman Avenue and Trafficway Boulevard. Completed in April 2004, it is home to the Springfield Cardinals, the Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the Missouri State University Bears baseball team.
Hammons built the ballpark before he had a minor league team secured to play in the stadium, though he steadfastly assured local residents it would be the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was ultimately able to persuade the Cardinals to purchase the El Paso Diablos franchise of the Texas League from the Brett Bros. and relocate it to Springfield. They became the Springfield Cardinals soon thereafter when the parent club ended its brief two-year affiliation with the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League.
In February 2023, the city of Springfield purchased Hammons Field and its surrounding parking lots for $12 million with plans to spend $4 million on stadium improvements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sullender |first1=Andrew |title=Hammons Field sold: Springfield City Council approves $16 million purchase and renovation |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/14/springfield-council-approves-16-million-purchase-of-hammons-field/69902630007/ |access-date=February 15, 2023 |work=Springfield News-Leader |date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215061112/https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/14/springfield-council-approves-16-million-purchase-of-hammons-field/69902630007/ |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In May 2026, the venue was renamed Route 66 Stadium under a joint arrangement between the Springfield Cardinals, O'Reilly Auto Parts, the City of Springfield, Missouri State University, and Mercy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Szuch |first1=Susan |title=MSU and Springfield Cardinals' home ballpark is getting a new name |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2026/04/23/hammons-field-ballpark-renamed-route-66-stadium/89739263007/ |access-date=April 25, 2026 |work=Springfield News-Leader |date=April 23, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260424101532/https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2026/04/23/hammons-field-ballpark-renamed-route-66-stadium/89739263007/ |archive-date=April 24, 2026 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |quote=The first official Cardinals game at Route 66 Stadium will be [...] May 5.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Springfield Cardinals to rename home ballpark Route 66 Stadium |url=https://www.milb.com/springfield/news/springfield-cardinals-to-rename-home-ballpark-route-66-stadium |access-date=April 25, 2026 |work=MiLB.com |language=en |quote=The first official Cardinals game at Route 66 Stadium will be on Tuesday, May 5}}</ref>
==Features== The stadium is unique due to its baseball specific outbuildings. The stadium currently has two large buildings just outside the right-field walls. The larger of the two serves as a fully furnished indoor practice facility complete with astroturf, batting cages, and a small diamond for drills. The smaller building serves as administration, including General Manager offices, as well as housing both home teams' clubhouses, a cardio workout facility, and the physical trainer's office.
The stadium is also furnished with 28 luxury box suites. Only two of the Press Box level suites were initially available for public use; the largest of the three served as a personal suite for John Q. Hammons until his death in 2013 at the age of 94.
Route 66 Stadium also boasts one of the largest high-definition video boards in Minor League Baseball.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Connell |first1=Jim |title=Hammons Field ready for major scoreboard upgrade |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/springfield-cardinals/2015/12/03/hammons-field-ready-major-scoreboard-upgrade/76611706/ |access-date=April 25, 2026 |work=Springfield News-Leader |date=December 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323115118/http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/springfield-cardinals/2015/12/03/hammons-field-ready-major-scoreboard-upgrade/76611706/ |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hammons Field |url=https://www.killco.com/project/hammons-field/ |website=Killco.com |publisher=Killian Construction Co. |access-date=April 25, 2026}}</ref>
==Events== In 2004, 2007 and 2012, the venue hosted the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament.<ref name=04MVC>{{cite web |title=2004 MVC Baseball Championship |url=https://www.mvc-sports.com/baseball/04championship/ |website=Missouri Valley Conference |access-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531005506/https://www.mvc-sports.com/baseball/04championship/ |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2006–07 Championship Results |url=https://www.mvc-sports.com/championships/200607/ |website=Missouri Valley Conference |access-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515130416/http://www.mvc-sports.com/championships/200607/ |archive-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2011–12 Championship Info & Results |url=http://www.mvc-sports.com/championships/201112/ |website=Missouri Valley Conference |access-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126065545/http://www.mvc-sports.com/championships/201112/ |archive-date=January 26, 2012}}</ref>
==See also== * List of NCAA Division I baseball venues
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *[https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-482684 Hammons Field – FAQs] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041229104150/http://hammonsfield.croxton.net/ "The Jewel of Jordan Valley Park" Webpage] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110927125953/http://www.baseballparks.com/Springfield.asp Joe Mock names Hammons Field ''BASEBALLPARKS.COM'' 2005 "Ballpark of the Year"] *[http://www.ballparkreviews.com/springmo/springmo.htm Hammons Field – BallparkReviews.com] *[http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/hammons.htm Charlie's Ballparks – John Q. Hammons Field]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061024172833/http://www.minorleaguenews.com/baseball/features/articles2006/05/15/05.html ''Minor League News'' ranks Hammons Field the #5 Minor League Ballpark in America in 2006] *[http://springfieldcardinals.com Official Springfield Cardinals Site] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060618090106/http://www.texas-league.com/ Texas League Web Site] *[http://www.missouristatebears.com/sports/2016/7/21/facilities-hammons-field-html.aspx MSU Baseball Bears Page] *[http://www.pellhamphillips.com/portfolio/sports/hammonsfield/ballpark.php Tour of Hammons Field] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729142352/http://www.pellhamphillips.com/portfolio/sports/hammonsfield/ballpark.php |date=July 29, 2010 }} *[http://www.pellhamphillips.com/ Designers of Hammons Field] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224171948/http://www.pellhamphillips.com/ |date=February 24, 2007 }}
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Category:College baseball venues in Missouri Category:Sports venues in Springfield, Missouri Category:Missouri State Bears baseball Category:Minor league baseball venues in Missouri Category:Texas League ballparks Category:2004 establishments in Missouri Category:Sports venues completed in 2004