Grayson Stadium
Historic Grayson Stadium | |
 Grayson Stadium in 2019 | |
 | |
| 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 ($2.41 million in 2023 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) | |
William L. 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 Military School.[5] Known as "Historic Grayson Stadium" it was built in 1926. It holds 4,000 people.[2] It also served as the home of the Savannah Sand Gnats from 1984-2015.
History
Originally known as Municipal Stadium, it first served as the home field of the minor league Savannah Indians. In 1932, it hosted the Boston Red Sox for spring training.[6] 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 integrated South Atlantic League game took place at Grayson Stadium on April 14, 1953.[7]
The park went through a two-year renovation process that started prior to the 2007 season.[8]
Grayson Stadium was the venue for the 2017 GHSA Baseball Championships for Class 1A Private, Class 2A, Class 3A, and Class 5A, where Wayne County, Yellow Jacket fans set an attendance record for their doubleheader against Loganville on May 25 in the 5A Championship.[9]
Timeline
References
- ^ a b c Passanisi, Mike. "History". Savannah Sand Gnats. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ^ a b Crumlish, Paul (2002). "William L. Grayson Stadium". Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "2009 Baseball Schedule". Savannah State University. Archived from the original on July 22, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ "History of Grayson Stadium". Savannah Sand Gnats. March 3, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ^ "Sox in First Drill Today". The Boston Globe. March 1, 1932. p. 24. Retrieved November 4, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ http://www.ghsa.net/baseball-state-championship-schedule-now-finalized
External links
- The Savannah Bananas
- Ball Park Reviews: Grayson Stadium
- Stadium Journey: Grayson Stadium
- Minor league baseball venues
- Baseball venues in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Works Progress Administration in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Savannah State Tigers baseball
- Negro league baseball venues still standing
- 1926 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Sports venues completed in 1926
- College baseball venues in the United States
- Boston Red Sox spring training venues