Spring Home of the Yankees

Exterior of Legends Field, from the west, Aug-1998.

A good look at the seating bowl.

Since this photo was taken, Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL Buccaneers, was built across the street.

• Location: Dale Mabry Boulevard between Tampa Bay Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Tampa, Fla.
• Opened: 1996 as Legends Field
• Additional names: George M. Steinbrenner Field (2008)
• Home team: Tampa Yankees, Florida State League (1996-present); spring training, New York Yankees (1996-present)
• Capacity: 10,386

Rating: 4 baseballs

The park’s capacity was designed so that transplanted New Yorkers could see their heroes in Grapefruit League action. While I’ve never been to spring training, I did attend an August 1998 Florida State League game here.

Alas, the park appeared to be overkill for the level of play of summer ball, a problem shared by the entire Florida State League. I paid an unusually low $3 for a general admission ticket, but was only the 36th person to do so that day. At no point during the twilight-night doubleheader did the head count in the stands exceed 250. In addition, the public address system was balky, shifting from full power to a whisper and back of its own free will.

There’s no question, though, that Steinbrenner constructed a spring training showplace, which was his aim. There’s enough room for you if you go down to Florida in March - you and the luxury-box-demanding fans. For the rest of the season, there’s room enough to stretch out and perhaps snag an easy souvenir foul ball.

Legends Field – officially renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field in March 2008 – is worth a look. When you look at it is up to you.