 Home of the Mighty Mussels | |
 Interactive map of Hammond Stadium | |
| Location | 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers,FL 33912 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 26°32′18″N81°50′31″W / 26.53833°N 81.84194°W /26.53833; -81.84194 |
| Owner | City of Fort Myers |
| Operator | Lee County |
| Capacity | 9,300 |
| Field size |
|
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 15, 1989 |
| Opened | March 7, 1991 |
| Renovated | 2014–2015 |
| Construction cost | $14 million ($32.3 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Lescher & Mahoney Ellerbe Becket Populous (renovation) |
| Structural engineer | Bliss & Nyitray, Inc |
| General contractor | Case Contracting Company[2] |
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Twins (MLBspring training) (1991–present) Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (FSL) (1992–present) FCL Twins (FCL) (1991–present) | |
Hammond Stadium is abaseball field located in the Lee Health Sports Complex in South Fort Myers, Florida, United States. The stadium was built in 1991, and underwent major renovations in 2014[3] and 2015.
As thespring training home of theMinnesota Twins, it saw its seating capacity increased from 7,500 to 9,300 in the spring of 2015.[4] Class A Advanced affiliate, theFort Myers Mighty Mussels (then the Fort Myers Miracle), of theFlorida State League finished out their 2014 season and FSL championship atJetBlue Park (Spring home of theBoston Red Sox, also inFort Myers) in order to get the renovations done in time forcatchers &pitchers to report in 2015. The renovations will also increase the amount of walkable area, provide more shaded areas for sunny games[5] and an expanded gift shop, among other amenities for fans and players.[6]
The Twins' Rookie League affiliate, theGulf Coast League Twins also play in the Lee Health Sports Complex (formerlyCenturyLink Sports Complex),[7] however, not usually at Hammond Stadium, but rather at the fields within the surrounding complex.
The stadium is named in honor of retiredLee County Deputy Administrator William H. Hammond Jr., who was instrumental in getting the Lee County Sports Complex (the name it was given prior to its renovations) built to draw the Twins from their previous Spring home inOrlando. Hammond Stadium's outer facade was designed withChurchill Downs in mind. The parking rows all feature streets signs named to honor former Twins greats—includingBert Blyleven,Kirby Puckett, andKent Hrbek. There is also a waterfall fountain near the stadium's entrance.
The Twins won theWorld Series following their first spring training in Hammond Stadium. Their agreement with Lee County for use of the complex originally ran through 2012; the Twins then signed a renewal for a 30-year period in 2014. The new lease agreement with Lee County permitted the Twins to sell the naming rights for the complex – which they did, but the contract stipulated that the stadium itself was to retain the name of Hammond Stadium.
The Florida State League held the 48th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Hammond Stadium in June 2009. The previous time the league held their mid-summer classic in Fort Myers was 2003.
Hammond Stadium and JetBlue Park are two of four spring training facilities in Fort Myers.City of Palms Park andTerry Park Ballfield (also known as the Park T. Pigott Memorial Stadium) in East Fort Myers are currently not in use. City of Palms Park is the former spring training home of the Boston Red Sox, and Terry Park Ballfield is the former home of thePhiladelphia Athletics,Cleveland Indians,Pittsburgh Pirates andKansas City Royals.
Hammond Stadium's dimensions compared toTarget Field are:[8]
| Field | Hammond Stadium | Target Field |
|---|---|---|
| Left | 330 ft (100 m) | 339 ft (103 m) |
| Left-center | – | 377 ft (115 m) |
| Deep left-center | – | 411 ft (125 m) |
| Center | 405 ft (123 m) | 403 ft (123 m) |
| Right-center | – | 365 ft (111 m) |
| Right | 330 ft (100 m) | 328 ft (100 m) |
