Operator Memphis Redbirds, LLC Opened 1 April 2000 Phone +1 901-721-6050 Architecture firm Populous | Record attendance 18,620 Team Memphis Redbirds Owner Memphis | |
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Location 200 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee
United States Capacity 10,000 (2015–present)
14,384 (2008–2014)
14,320 (2000–2007) Field size Left Field: 319 ft (97 m)
Left-Center Field: 360 ft (110 m)
Center Field: 400 ft (122 m)
Right-Center Field: 373 ft (114 m)
Right Field: 322 ft (98 m) Surface Tifton 419 Bermuda grass Address 200 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA Similar Mud Island, Orpheum Theatre, Peabody Hotel, Memphis Rock N' Soul Mus, Pink Palace Museum | ||
AutoZone Park is a Minor League Baseball stadium located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and is home to the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The Redbirds are the AAA affiliate of Major League Baseball's (MLB) St. Louis Cardinals. In 2009, the stadium was named Minor League Ballpark of the Year by Baseball America.
Contents
Independence day at autozone park
History
Designed by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects of Memphis with Kansas City-based HOK Sport, AutoZone Park cost $80.5 million to build. This is by far the most money ever spent on a structure dedicated to a minor league baseball team. AutoZone Park was built to "MLB standards", but with the absence of outfield seats or food vendors far down the foul lines, making it, for comparison purposes, a major league stadium with only the 'good' seats". It opened in 2000, replacing Tim McCarver Stadium. The stadium also hosts some games for the University of Memphis baseball team, and most notably, the annual game with Ole Miss.
The Redbirds had been unique in baseball until recently, in that they were owned by a non-profit community foundation, the Memphis Redbirds Foundation; the Green Bay Packers of the NFL have a similar ownership structure. However, the Foundation defaulted on its bond payment in 2010. On November 15, 2013, the Foundation announced that the default would be remedied by the St. Louis Cardinals paying off the bonds at a discount and acquiring the Redbirds, while the city of Memphis resumes ownership of the stadium.
In October 2004 and 2005 AutoZone park was home to the Greater Mid-South Jaycees Field of Screams Haunted House.
In October 2005, AutoZone Park became the first venue outside of New Orleans to host the Voodoo Music Experience. One day of this music festival was moved to Memphis due to Hurricane Katrina.
On December 4, 2006, at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, MLB announced that an exhibition game to be called the Civil Rights Game would be held at AutoZone Park, with the first game on March 31, 2007. The game featured the Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians, with the Cardinals winning 5-1. The second game was played on March 29, 2008, between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets. The Mets defeated the White Sox 3-2.
On August 31, 2008, the ballpark's largest crowd to date witnessed the Redbirds lose to the Oklahoma RedHawks, 10-7 in front of 18,620 fans.
Size
AutoZone Park has a seating capacity of 10,000, and has been aptly described as "one-third" of a major league baseball park.
For its construction 17,586 cubic yards (13,445 m3) of concrete were used, or enough to cover 11 acres (4.5 ha). There are 125,738 square feet (11,681.4 m2) of brick walls surrounding it, utilizing 380,000 specially manufactured bricks. It holds 3,400 tons of steel and 227 miles (365 km) of electrical wiring. To build the playing field, 350 tons of clay and 5,000 tons of sand were needed. The outfield contains 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) of sod. The infield is capable of draining 1 inch (25 mm) of rain per hour. while remaining playable, which means that the field only rarely has to be covered during games.
AutoZone Park also has one of the largest video screens in minor league baseball. It is located 127 feet (39 m) above the play field, giving a view of the board to many areas of downtown Memphis. On January 10, 2012 the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Redbirds will install a 60 by 60 feet (18 by 18 m) full HD video display, replacing the old video screen. The new video board will be the largest in "Minor League Baseball" .
Amenities
AutoZone Park contains several special seating sections designed to give patrons a variety of viewing options.