Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

by BabySayGoRays on Mar 12, 2007 3:11 PM EDT

I was wondering if anyone out there had any information on what is going to happen to Al Lang Field (aka Progress Engergy Park) once the Rays depart the facility for their new Spring Training home. In my quest for info on Al Lang, I did come across this post to the local fish wrap from our very own Patrick Kennedy:
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/10/Neighborhoodtimes/Al_Lang_Field_must_be.shtml

Anyway, I cannot imagine this awesome facility sitting empty with Spring Training happening all around it. My recent trip to Dunedin's Knology Park to see the Jays and Rays quickly made me appreciate Al Lang. If you haven't been to to Knology Park well the park is nice looking but navigating down your row is near impossible as the rows are too close together in my opinion and trying to navigate US 19 before and after games, well I wouldn't wish that on my enemy.

Anyway, any info / rumors at to what is happening concerning the future of Al Lang would be greatly appreciated.

If you have never been to Al Lang, this is what you are missing:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0703/gallery.mlb.postcards.camp.devilrays/ content.1.html

Long live Al Lang field and Go Rays!

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

Patrick has been outspoken about Al Lang and I can't blame him, but that being said he probably has kept up with the issue a lot more so than the rest of us.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2007 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

I like to think of myself as Al Lang Stadium's No. 1 fan. While it still perturbs me that the team is moving spring training away from this wonderful shrine, I turn my attention now towards what will happen to the facility, as you apparently are as well. I have honestly heard nothing floated about the ballpark's future, and the only thing remotely discussed has been the prospect of demolition, which would be a sad outcome for Al Lang.

The facility itself is a little rough, and its concrete 1970s-style construction isn't exactly beckoning teams to come in, however we won't ever know that because Rick Baker and the City of St. Petersburg have sat around with their collective thumbs up their asses with regards to the stadium, insteading of actively trying to woo a replacement team using state grant money available last year. They have shown absolutely no plan whatsoever, and that is dangerous for the ballfield's future.

I am with you, I want to see Al Lang preserved at all costs, and I am just as much in the dark as you are over the ballpark's future. I hope that come spring 2009, I can still enjoy watching baseball just a pop fly from Tampa Bay, but I'm starting to get worried that this may not be possible.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 12, 2007 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

Al Lang = awesome. I caught a terrific picture today of my grandfather standing next to the commemorative plaque down by the ticket windows, yknow the plaque that says "AL LANG STADIUM: DEDICATED MARCH 12TH 1977", and yet neither he nor I caught any mention of this pretty cool birthday during the game. Count me in as another big fan of the ballpark, and I for one hope some sort of solution is found (like say playing select good-weather MLB games there..at least until the Ray-shaped dome is completed!)

by das411 on Mar 13, 2007 1:58 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

Patrick et al...
Has anyone looked into which official holds influence over this decision, i.e. who will be the one to help Mayor Baker form his opinion? If we can figure that out, I'm certain we can preserve the field. Remember, Mayor Baker is an historian, and the spring training means an awful lot to the history of St. Petersburg. Ultimately, that's the best way to persuade the mayor, in my opinion...

Demon Deacons

by jquigley on Mar 13, 2007 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know what official holds control over it

Because I haven't heard anything discussed about it at all, from any city official. The Parks and Rec department is responsible for its upkeep, I'd think, but I don't think any one person controls its future. Not only will any change have to go through Baker and the City Council, but changes on the downtown waterfront have to be approved by a public vote, which derailed plans to screw with Albert Whitted Airport a few years ago.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 13, 2007 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

When the Devil Rays did a survey this past offseason, and called many people that had purchased tickets during the season, one of the questions they asked was about a potential new stadium, and potential sites. The current location of Al Lang Stadium was one of the choices (and I think there were only 3 choices.)

Not that that really means anything.

I don't see how, without significant renovations, they could lure another team there for the spring. My personal choice (unless the Rays build an indoor/outdoor stadium there) is that they keep the park, but build some kind of spring training/baseball museum around it. Then, get something like 5-10 spring games there each year, with a variety of teams playing in them (maybe have the Rays/Tigers/Yanks/Jays/Phils/Pirates each host a game there.) Kinda a smaller version of the Hall of Fame game in Cooperstown.

Plus, the museum could be year-round.

by TallMatt on Mar 13, 2007 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

Wow, it'd really be un-believable if they knocked Al Lang down as isn't it where all of the Spring Training in the Saint Petersburg area started? In an area with little history, you'd think they'd want to preserve something like that. Of course, it is sitting on some very nice real estate but still. Here is the official St. Pete link to the stadium with a little history.

http://www.stpete.org/allang.htm

by BabySayGoRays on Mar 13, 2007 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

From that entry:

With 6439 seats including the grass, Progress Energy Park -- Home of Al Lang Field -- is a modern, versatile facility with a storied history.

When was this entry written, 1979?

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 13, 2007 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

Haha.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 13, 2007 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Al Lang Field (aka, Progress Energy Park)

No, Spring Training didn't start at Al Lang field. It started over at Al Lopez field, by (brain fart, the lake over by 4th St. and 22nd Ave. N.).
But, Spring Training did start in St. Pete. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig used to room together down here...

Demon Deacons

by jquigley on Mar 14, 2007 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Huggins-Stengel Field is the park's name

It was home to the Yankees for a long time. But Spring Training baseball has been played at Al Lang for six decades, with two stadiums having occupied the site. The history of baseball at that site goes back even further if you count the park that used to be where the Bayfront Center is that preceded Al Lang.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 14, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Huggins-Stengel Field is the park's name

The cities that have the older stadiums like Al Lang should make the trek over to Lakeland and check out Joker Marchant Stadium. The City of Lakeland has really kept the entire facility up beautifully and can justify it by holding many events there during the off season.

It's tough to argue though with the view that you have at Al Lang. I just wonder if the stadium would have been renovated if the Rays would have stayed.

If Kevin Costner is willing to do a baseball movie here, it's gotta be good....right?

by SeanDubbs on Mar 15, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you completely

I love Joker Marchant Stadium, I went for the first time this spring, went to the FSL All-Star Game there last year, and am heading over this Sunday, more likely than not. It really is a nice facility. They have upgraded it for modern times and have improved the aesthetics, but it still retains the layout and basics of a good ole Florida ST ballfield.

As for the renovation? Probably. If the Rays had made a commitment to stay, and something had been worked out last summer, they would have renovated it. Remember, the State of Florida gave municipalities like $50 million in grants to spend on new facilities or upgrades at existing ones to protect the Grapefruit League from Arizona expansion (Ironic since two more teams are likely headed out the door for 2009 anyways). This is how Port Charlotte funded the upgrades to the Charlotte County Sports Complex to attract the Rays. But if free money is lying on the table for you to take and spend, and you want to stay at your existing location, I can't see how they wouldn't have done it.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 15, 2007 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions