For fans who really want to get an early look at players who could be headed to the major leagues, the team they should pay close attention to is the Double A Springfield Cardinals– and it’s worth the trip to Springfield.
While most players do not jump directly from Double A to the majors – although Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal did in recent years, just to name two – it is a common belief in baseball that the biggest separation between levels in the minor leagues is the one between high Class A and Double A.
You never know who you will see when you go to a Springfield Cardinals game. Fans got to see Yadier Molina on his recent rehab stint with the team.
Players who have success in Double A generally are thought to have the potential to play in the major leagues– and Dylan Carlson who wowed the crowd with two home runs in Sunday’s game is one of those highly touted prospects.
Since 2005, when the Cardinals purchased the team from El Paso, Texas, the Cardinals’ Double A affiliate has been in Springfield. That year they started in a new facility built by developer John Q. Hammons for the Cardinals to share with the baseball team at Missouri State University– called Hammons Field.
The stadium is set up with special features to resemble features at Busch Stadium.
For more information on tickets for a Springfield Cardinals game at Hammons field CLICK HERE
There is a long homestand coming up next week so now is your chance:
AUGUST:
SEPTEMBER
The Drury Hotel is located at 2715 N Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO 65803. CLICK HERE for the lowest price you can get anywhere– the STLSportsPage.com promo code: Sports.
Cardinals top prospect Dylan Carlson is in Springfield at this writing so a trip to Hammons Field lets you see many of the Cardinals of the future but in Carlson a possible superstar. To get your Springfield Cardinals hat — like Carlson is wearing– to wear to the game CLICK HERE.
Parks in the area
Best park recommended to us:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Springfield Conservation NatureCenter: 4601 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804
These two parks are within 10 minutes of the Drury: Valley Water Mill Park and Doling Park
Valley Water Mill Park
Valley Water Mill Park: 2450 E Valley Water Mill Rd, Springfield, MO 65803
Nice walking trail…
The lake…
Doling Park
Doling Park: 2600 N Robberson Ave, Springfield, MO 65803
Doling Park is an interesting place because there was a historic roller skating rink dating back to the 1920’s and a museum on the property (shown right, above) has artifacts and history of the roller rink with carnival nearby–that is now gone, all but one wall. The wall on the left in the photo above is the remaining wall of that famous roller rink.
Doling Park is more for families with kids as there are two playgrounds there. This was one of them…
There is also a lake where kids feed the ducks…
According to Google there are many other parks in the area, we just wanted to mention the two we went to on this trip.
Are you looking for Restaurant Recommendations or other things to do while in Springfield? Check out our book “All Roads Lead to St. Louis; A Guide to the Cardinals and Their Minor League Teams.”
To buy the book go to our BOOKSTORE.
Photo Credit: Hammons Field photo by Mark Harrell
All other photos by Sally Tippett Rains
