Explore Springfield's Hammons Field
Welcome to Hammons Field, where future Cardinals get their first taste of the Show-Me State. Rooted in the history of Springfield baseball and the legendary St. Louis franchise, this ballclub has found its own flair.
Springfield Cardinals (Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals since 2005)
Established: 2005
League: Texas League
Ballpark: Hammons Field (opened in 2004)
Championship: 2012
Notable alumni: Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Allen Craig, David Freese, Jack Flaherty, Joe Kelly, Adolis García, Trevor Rosenthal
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The current iteration of the Springfield Cardinals began in 2005 when the St. Louis Cardinals purchased the Double-A El Paso Diablos -- who were a D-backs affiliate -- and moved them to Missouri. St. Louis’ Double-A squad had been the Tennessee Smokies for 2003 and 2004 before settling in with their fellow Show-Me State city. Springfield has remained a Cardinals affiliate since.
However, the history of Springfield Cardinals baseball dates back to 1931 when St. Louis bought and renamed the Springfield Highlanders, which had existed since 1905. As part of the Western Association, the club was run by Branch Rickey and touted legends like Stan Musial and Dizzy Dean before the franchise was moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. And just for the 1953 season, the Springfield Cubs took the field.
In 2004, local mogul and benefactor John Q. Hammons built the ballpark as part of a plan to get St. Louis to relocate its Double-A club. Hammons Field hosted Missouri State and the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament its first year, and in 2005, the Cardinals joined the collegiate squad. Following Hammons’ passing in 2013, the ballpark remained under the control of his trust until the city of Springfield announced its plan to purchase the stadium and parking lot in February 2023, which includes a deal with St. Louis to keep the affiliate there through 2038.
Hammons Field
Ballpark Location (via Google Maps)
Springfield Cardinals schedule
Springfield Cardinals roster
955 E Trafficway St.
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 869-4274
Capacity: 10,486 (7,986 seats)
Dimensions: left field, 315 feet; center field, 400 feet; right field, 330 feet
Park Factors (2021-22)
100 = league average
Runs: 116 | Homers: 143 | Hits: 111
Texas League environment: 5.26 runs per team per game (third-highest among 11 full-season leagues)
Hammons Field sits in downtown Springfield at the corner of N. Sherman Parkway and E. Trafficway St. and is just a block away from the Chestnut Expressway. The ballpark has been a part of a development plan for the city with Jordan Valley Park and Sister Cities Plaza anchoring the west and east sides of the stadium.
While many stadiums house their offices and clubhouses in the structure behind home plate, Hammons Field has a different take. In right field stands two buildings: one that houses a practice facility and batting cages, and another for administrative offices, workout rooms and both clubhouses. The two structures sit mostly in fair territory, just beyond Homers Landing in right field, making it an alluring target for left-handed hitters. And in left-center, fans can see one of the largest HD video boards in the Minor Leagues.
Missouri State baseball continues to call Hammons Field home. The Bears have won three Missouri Valley Conference titles since moving in, in addition to two NCAA regionals. Hammons Field has hosted the conference tournament three times, providing homefield advantage to the champion Bears in 2022.
Because Springfield is tied to such a historic franchise, there are always plenty of nights to celebrate Cardinal greats. Whether it’s Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright championship rings or Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst bobbleheads, the Senior Circuit club with the most World Series titles is well represented in the Texas League.
And at Hammons Field, you don’t have to wait for the game to start for the party to begin, because the happy hour is the pregame with half-price drinks. Dogs are welcome at every Wednesday night game, while their nemesis, fireworks, take center stage every Friday. And on Sundays, kids get free ice cream and can run the bases.
Springfield has plenty of theme nights throughout the year, including halfway to Halloween and halfway to Christmas. The club also honors the military and those affected by gynecologic cancers. Since 2021, the Cardinals have taken the field as the Cardenales de Springfield as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa De La Diversión initiative. A few times a year, special guests like Bengie Molina or a local dance group come to the park to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino communities in the area. The Cardenales design is inspired by Día de Los Muertos and a vibrant street sign in Springfield’s sister city, Tlaquepaque, Mexico. As part of Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond, Springfield dons a special design created by the comic book giant.
Concessions
The Cardinals have several variations on the hot dog. The ballpark staple can come classic, corn dog, jumbo bacon cheese, and the granddoggy of them all, the jumbo spud dog. Accompanied with a spork, this frank sits in a baked potato and is topped with nacho cheese, sour cream and bacon for a delectable crossover. If that’s not your style, head over to Cardinals Cantina for a 10-inch burrito or helmet nachos. For something sweet, Hammons Field has sno cones, funnel cakes and classic treats like helmet ice cream and cotton candy.
Mascot
Springfield has not one, but two mascots, including a mascot pet. The first is Louie, who is said to be the younger brother of St. Louis mascot Fredbird. Louie dresses similar to his avian sibling, but his jersey is a little longer and his feathers are all red, compared to Fredbird’s yellow and blue accents. On Opening Day 2006, Louie received a pet dog for his birthday. Now, Louie and Fetch are the best of friends, with the former driving the latter around in an ATV.
Where to Stay
Headed to the stadium and looking for a hotel nearby? Your Wyndham is waiting. As the Official Hotel of Minor League Baseball, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts welcomes baseball fans with a portfolio of 24 trusted brands. Find Hotels by Wyndham closest to the ballpark below and book now at wyndhamhotels.com.
• Days Inn by Wyndham Battlefield Rd/Hwy 65
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Springfield South
• Baymont by Wyndham Springfield I-44
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Springfield Airport Plaza
• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Springfield on I-44
Local Attractions
The “Queen City of the Ozarks” is loaded with activities for anyone who loves the outdoors. Along with several nearby trails, lakes, caverns and forests, Springfield is home to the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, which argues it is the world’s largest wildlife attraction. The town is also known as the birthplace of Route 66. If you’re looking to get your kicks, be sure to check out the plaque in Park Central Square and come for the Route 66 Festival held in August. The History Museum on the Square explores the famous highway, as well as the Trail of Tears, which also runs through Springfield.
The 417 is also home to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which celebrates legends with ties to the Show-Me State like Musial, Yogi Berra and even the treacherous “Phog” Allen, who became a hero for Kansas hoops. If college campuses are more your speed, Hammons Field sits in the middle of Missouri State, Drury University and Evangel University.
Food and Drink
The baseball theme spills out of the stadium to nearby bar, Dugout. Downtown sits a mile west of the ballpark and features several restaurants, highlighted by Black Sheep Burgers + Shakes. And don’t leave Springfield without trying Pappy’s Café, famous for delicious barbeque in a building that’s stood tall since 1903. If you happen to come in September, be sure to plan your trip around the MO Food Truck Fest.
Moving On
Springfield is near the four other Texas League teams outside of the Lone Star State. Head west to the Wind Surge in Wichita, Kan., then fly south for Oklahoma’s Tulsa Drillers. Alternately, start south of Missouri with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Arkansas Travelers.
The Road to St. Louis
After starting their careers in Palm Beach as part of the Florida Complex and Florida State Leagues, Cardinals Minor Leaguers head to the Midwest for Peoria and Springfield then dip south for Memphis before reaching their final destination back in Missouri.
Single-A: Palm Beach Cardinals
High-A: Peoria Chiefs
Double-A: Springfield Cardinals
Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds
