View source for George M. Steinbrenner Field

{{short description|Baseball stadium in Tampa, Florida}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = George M. Steinbrenner Field
| logo_image = George M. Steinbrenner Field Logo.svg
| image = MacDill Aircrew, service members kick off opening day ceremony for TB Rays (250328-F-YW699-1029).jpg
|caption=Steinbrenner Field on [[Opening Day]] in 2025
| image_size = 250px
| location = 1 Steinbrenner Drive<br>[[Tampa, Florida|Tampa, FL 33614]]<br/>United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|27|58|49|N|82|30|24|W|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = October 22, 1994<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilborn |first=Paul |date=October 11, 1994 |title=Celebrate opening day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-celebrate-opening-day/161955101/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |work=St. Petersburg Times |page=7B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| built = 
| opened = March 1, 1996
| renovated = 2016–2017
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Yankee Global Enterprises]]
| operator = [[New York Yankees]]
| surface = Grass
| construction_cost = $30 million<ref>{{cite web |title = It Happens Every Spring: A 110-Year Retrospective of Yankees Spring Training |url = http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/2011/02/it-happens-every-spring-a-110-year-retrospective-of-yankees-spring-training-25491 |work = The Yankee Analysts |date = February 16, 2011 |access-date = September 27, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110218220726/http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/2011/02/it-happens-every-spring-a-110-year-retrospective-of-yankees-spring-training-25491 |archive-date = February 18, 2011 }}</ref><br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|30000000|1996}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = [[Lescher & Mahoney]]
| structural engineer = MC Engineers, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title = Projects |url = http://www.mcengineers.com/projects.html |publisher = MC Engineers |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref>
| services engineer = Colwill Engineering<ref>{{cite web |title = Related Experience - Recreational |url = http://www.colwillengineering.com/relatedexperience/recreation.html |publisher = Colwill Engineering |access-date = September 27, 2011 |archive-date = July 24, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120724083340/http://www.colwillengineering.com/relatedexperience/recreation.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>
| general_contractor = Case Contracting Company
| former_names = Legends Field (1996–2008)
| seating_capacity = 11,026 (2007–present)<br>10,200 (1996–2006)
| tenants = [[New York Yankees]] ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]]) (spring training) (1996–present)<br>[[Tampa Tarpons]] ([[Florida State League|FSL]]) (1996–present)<br>[[Florida Complex League Yankees]] ([[Florida Complex League|FCL]]) (1996–present)<br>[[FC Tampa Bay]] ([[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|NASL]]) (2010)<br>[[Tampa Bay Rays]] ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]]) (2025–present)
| dimensions = '''Left Field''' – {{Convert|318|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{Convert|399|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{Convert|408|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{Convert|385|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{Convert|314|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title = Grapefruit League Ballparks |url = http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/general/facts/grapefruit.htm#Legends%20Field |publisher = Ballparks.com |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://www.gmsfield.com/|gmsfield.com}}
}}

'''George M. Steinbrenner Field''', formerly known as '''Legends Field''',<ref>{{cite press release |title = New York Yankees to Rename Legends Field in Tampa "George M. Steinbrenner Field" |url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080214&content_id=2373025&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |publisher = Major League Baseball Advanced Media |date = February 14, 2008 |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref> is a [[baseball]] stadium located in [[Tampa, Florida]], United States, across the [[Dale Mabry Highway]] from [[Raymond James Stadium]]. The ballpark was built in 1996 and seats 11,026 people, with an addition in right field built in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title = Legends Field: The Florida Home of the Yankees |first = Chris |last = Gigley |url = http://www.attheyard.com/MinorLeagueProfiles/Stadium/printer_695.shtml |work = At the Yard |date = September 14, 2005 |access-date = February 22, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060509113522/http://www.attheyard.com/MinorLeagueProfiles/Stadium/printer_695.shtml |archive-date = May 9, 2006 }}</ref> It is the largest [[spring training]] ballpark in Florida.

George M. Steinbrenner Field serves as the spring training home of the [[New York Yankees]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and is the home of the [[Tampa Tarpons]], the Yankees' affiliate in the [[Florida State League]].<ref name="nyystballpark">{{cite web |title = George M. Steinbrenner Field |url = http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/spring_training/ballpark.jsp?c_id=nyy&year=2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217163008/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/spring_training/ballpark.jsp?c_id=nyy&year=2008 |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 17, 2007 |publisher = Major League Baseball Advanced Media |year = 2008 |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref>

After extensive damage to [[Tropicana Field]] by [[Hurricane Milton]], Steinbrenner Field serves as the temporary home field for MLB's [[Tampa Bay Rays]] during their [[2025 Tampa Bay Rays season|2025 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Berry |first=Adam |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Rays will play at George M. Steinbrenner Field in 2025 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2025-steinbrenner-field |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

==Background and stadium history==
{{see also|Baseball in the Tampa Bay area}}
Tampa was the first [[spring training]] site in Florida, beginning in 1913 with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite web |title = 2013 – The Quasquicentennial Year of Major League Baseball Spring Training in Florida |url = http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/home/history/ |publisher = Florida Grapefruit League |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref> In the ensuing decades, the city hosted several different [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) teams for spring training and was home to several different [[Minor league baseball|minor league]] squads during the summer, first at [[Plant Field]] near [[downtown Tampa|downtown]] and later at [[Al Lopez Field]] near [[West Tampa]]. This era came to an end in 1988 when, after almost 30 years in Tampa, the [[Cincinnati Reds]] moved to new training facilities in [[Plant City, Florida|Plant City]] and transferred operation of the [[Tampa Tarpons]], their local minor league affiliate in the [[Florida State League]], to the [[Chicago White Sox]]. In 1989, the Tarpons moved to [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]] and Al Lopez Field was razed, leaving the city with no professional baseball teams and no large baseball venue.

In 1993, the Tampa Sports Authority announced a deal to build a new spring training stadium for the [[New York Yankees]], who had been conducting spring training in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]].<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |title = Tampa Sports Authority: Timeline |url = http://www.tampasportsauthority.com/Copy-of-Timeline.html |publisher = Tampa Sports Authority |access-date = September 27, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100928111104/http://www.tampasportsauthority.com/Timeline.html |archive-date = September 28, 2010 }}</ref> The original plan was to build the facility on the former site of Al Lopez Field, just south of old [[Tampa Stadium]]. However, due to objections from the Buccaneers (who pursued the site for what is now their replacement venue of [[Raymond James Stadium]]), the new ballpark was instead built about a half-mile to the northwest, directly across [[Dale Mabry Highway]] from Tampa Stadium, displacing a [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] [[correctional facility]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Yankees Reject Site South of Stadium |first = Tom |last = Scherberger |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4F4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q3sDAAAAIBAJ&dq=spring-training%20yankees%20tampa%20stadium&pg=6688%2C3768854 |newspaper = [[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]] |date = January 15, 1994 |access-date = March 5, 2014 |page = 5B }}</ref>

The ballpark and the surrounding training complex cost approximately $30 million to build and was financed entirely with public funds, mostly from [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]].<ref>{{cite web |title = New York Yankees Legends Field Spring Training Facility |url = http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=321 |publisher = Hines |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Survival of the Richest Drives Laws |first = Howard |last = Troxler |url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/28475250.html?dids=28475250:28475250&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+06%2C+1998&author=HOWARD+TROXLER&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Survival+of+the+richest+drives+laws&pqatl=google |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201032308/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/28475250.html?dids=28475250:28475250&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+06,+1998&author=HOWARD+TROXLER&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Survival+of+the+richest+drives+laws&pqatl=google |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 1, 2013 |newspaper = [[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]] |date = April 6, 1998 |access-date = September 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wilborn |first=Paul |date=March 2, 1996 |title=New Home's Opener |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-new-homes-opener/161955836/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |newspaper=[[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]] |page=B1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> It hosted its first spring training game on March 1, 1996, when the Yankees opened spring training by hosting the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref name="timeline"/>
[[Image:GSFieldTB.JPG|thumb|left|Stadium exterior.]]
In 2006, Hillsborough County paid for a $7.5 million expansion to add more seats and amenities behind right field.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yankees to Expand Legends Field Seating |first = Bill |last = Varian |url = http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/01/Tampabay/Yankees_to_expand_Leg.shtml |newspaper = [[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]] |date = August 1, 2006 |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref> The addition opened in 2008.

The ballpark was known as Legends Field for the first dozen years of its existence. It was renamed in honor of [[George Steinbrenner]], the Yankees' owner and Tampa resident, on March 27, 2008, when Steinbrenner was in failing health.<ref name="nyystballpark"/><ref>{{cite news |title = Legends Field Gets New Name |first = Mike |last = Brassfield |url = http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/15/Hillsborough/Legends_Field_gets_ne.shtml |newspaper = [[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]] |date = February 15, 2008 |access-date = March 5, 2014 }}</ref> He died in July 2010, and a life-size bronze statue of the late owner was placed in front of the stadium in January 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yankees Honor Steinbrenner with Statue |first = Neil |last = Johnson |url = http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/07/071215/yankees-honor-steinbrenner-with-statue/sports-rays/ |newspaper = [[The Tampa Tribune]] |date = January 7, 2011 |access-date = September 28, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110113171929/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/07/071215/yankees-honor-steinbrenner-with-statue/sports-rays/ |archive-date = January 13, 2011 }}</ref>

On April 20, 2016, Hillsborough County commissioners approved a $40 million renovation of George M. Steinbrenner Field, greenlighting an agreement that will keep New York Yankees' spring training in Tampa through 2046. Renovations began after the 2016 season. Improvements included new seats throughout the 10,000-capacity ballpark, roof replacements, a better entry plaza and an upgraded outfield concourse. The renovations also included adding new amenities such as new loge boxes, cabanas, suite upgrades, a right-field beachside bar and bullpen clubs. The bullpen clubs were built on both the first base and the third base side. The clubs are composed of two levels; the top tier is exclusively for group tickets, club seat members and loge seating, while the bottom tier features a full bar that all ticket members can access. Additional shaded areas were constructed to protect fans from the sun. The team's spring training practice facility on Himes Avenue was also upgraded. The renovations were completed in time for Spring Training 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/hillsborough-county-approves-40-million-renovation-of-steinbrenner-field/2273962 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160421112926/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/hillsborough-county-approves-40-million-renovation-of-steinbrenner-field/2273962 |url-status = dead |archive-date = April 21, 2016 |title = Video: Hillsborough County approves $40M Steinbrenner Field renovation to keep the Yankees through 2046 |date = April 20, 2016 |access-date = November 4, 2016 |author = Steve Contorno |work = Tampa Bay Times }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=George M. Steinbrenner Field Renovations |url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/renovations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031103936/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/renovations/ |archive-date=2016-10-31 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

From 2024 to 2025, George M. Steinbrenner Field underwent another renovation with this one focused on player areas with input from manager [[Aaron Boone]] and captain [[Aaron Judge]]. The former segmented and windowless training facilities have been replaced by an open floor plan with the indoor workout area, outdoor stretching area and recovery, medical and training areas adjacent to each other. The former training room has been converted into a multi-purpose space for team meetings and press conferences. The recovery area has been upgraded with eight training tables, [[plunge pool]]s, a [[Swimming machine|SwimEx]], and a [[sauna]] and [[Low-level laser therapy|red-light therapy]] area. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light into the two-story [[weight room]], with weight training on the ground floor and a cardio area in the elevated loft. Additional upgrades include, a new made-to-order kitchen and cafeteria dedicated to player nutrition that connects to a new {{convert|2,400|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} patio that overlooks the practice field, known as Field 2 and a new larger lounge that includes multiple televisions and arcade games. Furthermore, the visiting clubhouse was upgraded to MLB standards and Field 2 received new larger light stanchions and upgraded baseball operations technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-completing-renovations-at-george-m-steinbrenner-field|title=Yankees ecstatic about 'unbelievable' remodeling at Steinbrenner Field|website=mlb.com|date=February 17, 2025|access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref>

=== Tampa Bay Rays ===
After [[Hurricane Milton]] caused extensive damage to [[Tropicana Field]], the regular stadium of the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] in nearby [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], in October 2024, the Rays announced they would play their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number = 1857108338422505543 |user = RaysBaseball |title = We are thrilled to play in Tampa Bay. 🩵 |first = Tampa Bay Rays |date = November 14, 2024 |access-date = November 14, 2024 }}</ref> With a seating capacity of 11,026 people, Steinbrenner Field will be the smallest ballpark in MLB.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-get-first-look-at-renovated-home-clubhouse-at-steinbrenner-field|last=Berry|first=Adam|title=No place quite like their new home: Rays in awe of renovated clubhouse|website=MLB.com|date=March 26, 2025|access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref>

[[Kameron Misner]] hit a walk-off home run on March 28, 2025, the Rays' season opener, becoming the first player to homer in a major league game at the stadium.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berry |first1=Adam |title=Misner, Rays walk off on Rox in Opening Day stunner at Steinbrenner |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kameron-misner-walk-off-homer-rays-opening-day |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=March 28, 2025 |access-date=June 2, 2025}}</ref> The Rays won their first game at the stadium 3–2 in front of 10,046 fans.

==Design==
The dimensions of the field precisely mimic that of both [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|the old Yankee Stadium]] and the new [[Yankee Stadium]], and the scalloped grandstand facade (the [[frieze]]) is also meant to evoke the old ballpark in the Bronx. When built, it was the first spring training stadium to include luxury suites.<ref>{{cite news |title = Legends Truly a Sign of the Times |first = Dick |last = Scanlan |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=28BPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nAcEAAAAIBAJ&dq=legends-field%20tampa%20taxpayers&pg=5739%2C425771 |newspaper = [[Star-Banner|Ocala Star-Banner]] |date = March 2, 1996 |access-date = March 5, 2014 |page = 1D }}</ref> Outside of the stadium are plaques commemorating Yankees whose numbers have been retired.

==Other tenant and events==
In 2008, [[Barack Obama]] held a campaign rally at the ballpark with members of the [[Tampa Bay Rays]], including [[David Price (baseball)|David Price]], who introduced him to the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |title = Tampa Bay Rays Come Out for Obama |first = Susan |last = Davis |url = https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/20/tampa-bay-rays-come-out-for-obama/ |newspaper = [[The Wall Street Journal]] |date = October 20, 2008 |access-date = March 4, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2010, the ballpark was the home pitch for [[FC Tampa Bay]] of the [[USSF Division 2 Professional League]]. The club moved across [[Tampa Bay]] to [[Al Lang Field]] in St. Petersburg for the 2011 season.

On August 9, 2014, the venue hosted the "Carnivores Tour" featuring [[Linkin Park]] and [[Thirty Seconds to Mars]] along with [[AFI (band)|AFI]].

[[File:SFPan.jpg|thumb|500px|left|Panoramic view of a [[Tampa Tarpons]] game vs. the [[Charlotte Stone Crabs]]]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.gmsfield.com/ Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060615110710/http://www.ballparkdigest.com/visits/legends_field.htm Ballpark Digest visit to Legends Field]
*[http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2006/Tampa/Tampa.htm George M. Steinbrenner Field Views - ''Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues'']

{{New York Yankees}}
{{Tampa Bay Rays}}
{{MLB Ballparks}}
{{Stadiums of the Grapefruit League}}
{{FSL ballparks}}
{{GCL Ballparks}}

[[Category:Major League Baseball venues]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:Grapefruit League venues]]
[[Category:New York Yankees spring training venues]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (2011–2017) stadiums]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Rays stadiums]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Rowdies sports facilities]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1996]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Florida]]
[[Category:Florida Complex League ballparks]]
[[Category:Yankee Global Enterprises]]
[[Category:Florida State League ballparks]]
[[Category:Steinbrenner family]]