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 ($1.87 million in 2016 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) |
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 Academy.[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 South Atlantic League game with both Black and White players 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]
Timeline
References
- 1 2 3 Passanisi, Mike. "History". Savannah Sand Gnats. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- 1 2 Crumlish, Paul (2002). "William L. Grayson Stadium". Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ↑ "2009 Baseball Schedule". Savannah State University. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ↑ "History of Grayson Stadium". Savannah Sand Gnats. March 3, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Dominitz, Nathan (October 3, 2007). "Aging Grayson Getting $5 Million Makeover". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
External links
- The Savannah Bananas
- Ball Park Reviews: Grayson Stadium
- Stadium Journey: Grayson Stadium
Coordinates: 32°2′41″N 81°4′44″W / 32.04472°N 81.07889°W