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, an exhibition baseball team. It was the part-time home of the Savannah State University college baseball team from 2009 to 2011.[4][5][6] It was also used from 1927 until 1959 for the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Savannah High School and Benedictine Military School.[7] Known as "Historic Grayson Stadium", it was built in 1926. It holds 5,000 people.[2] It also served as the home of the Savannah Sand Gnats from 1984 to 2015 (known as the Cardinals until 1996).
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 | 5,000[2] |
| Field size | Left Field: 322 ft (98 m) Center Field: 400 ft (120 m) Right Field: 310 ft (94 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1925 |
| Built | April 1926[1] |
| Renovated | 1941 2009 2024 |
| Construction cost | $140,000 ($2.41 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
| Tenants | |
| Savannah Indians (SEL) 1926–1928 Savannah Indians (SL) 1936–1942 Savannah Indians (SL) 1946–1953 Savannah Athletics (SL) 1954–1955 Savannah Redlegs (SL) 1956–1958 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/Sand Gnats (SAL) 1984–2015 Savannah Bananas (BBCL) 2016–present | |
History
editOriginally 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.[8] 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.[9]
The park went through a two-year renovation process that started prior to the 2007 season.[10] Under the Bananas, another round of renovation happened in 2023-24 giving the stadium an additional 1,000 outfield seats - for a total of 5,000 overall and a modernized classic grandstand appearance in preparation for its centennial in 2026. At home plate level, the old bleacher seats in the grandstand used for many years were replaced by stadium-style bucket seating.[11] A video wall is expected to be added in 2025 in the outfield area.[citation needed]
Grayson Stadium was the venue for the 2017 GHSA Baseball Championships for Class 1A Private, Class 2A, Class 3A, and Class 5A.[12] It was also used for the 2018 and 2019 GHSA Baseball Championships.[13][14]
Timeline
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Passanisi, Mike. "History". sandgnats.com. Savannah Sand Gnats. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ^ a b Crumlish, Paul (2002). "William L. Grayson Stadium". Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. 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 Athletics. Savannah State University. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "2010 Baseball Schedule". Savannah State University Athletics. Savannah State University. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "2011 Baseball Schedule". Savannah State University Athletics. Savannah State University. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "History of Grayson Stadium". sandgnats.com. Savannah Sand Gnats. March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. 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 20, 2005). "Good old Grayson". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ Dominitz, Nathan (October 3, 2007). "Aging Grayson Getting $5 Million Makeover". Savannah Morning News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ "Grayson Stadium adds a thousand more reasons to attend home games". WSAV-TV. January 11, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ "Baseball State Championship Schedule Is Now Finalized". GHSA.net. Georgia High School Association. May 16, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "Congratulations to the 2018 GHSA Baseball State Champions". GHSA.net. Georgia High School Association. May 25, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ "Congratulations to the 2019 GHSA Baseball State Champions!". GHSA.net. Georgia High School Association. May 24, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
External links
edit- The Savannah Bananas
- Ball Park Reviews: Grayson Stadium
- Stadium Journey: Grayson Stadium