Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park is a stadium in Springfield, Illinois.[1] It is primarily used for baseball. It originally opened in 1928 as Reservoir Stadium (name references to water reservoir located on what is now Lanphier High School[2])[3] and was renovated in 1977. It holds 5,200 people. The stadium was renamed after Robin Roberts (1926–2010), a Hall-of-Fame pitcher and a graduate of Lanphier High School who was Springfield's most accomplished ballplayer, in 1976.[3] From 1972 to 1979, the NCAA Division II baseball tournament was held at Lanphier.[citation needed]
 | |
| Former names | Lanphier Park (1928–1976) |
|---|---|
| Location | Springfield, Illinois United States |
| Coordinates | 39°49′01″N 89°38′11″W / 39.817074°N 89.6364°W |
| Public transit |  SMTD |
| Owner | Springfield Park District |
| Operator | Springfield Park District |
| Capacity | 5,200 |
| Field size | Foul Lines: 320 ft. Center Field: 415 ft. |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Opened | 1925 |
| Tenants | |
| Springfield Senators (Three–I League) (1928–1935) Springfield Browns (Three–I League) (1938–1942, 1946–1949) Springfield Redbirds (AA) (1978–1981) Springfield Cardinals (MWL) (1982–1993) Springfield Sultans (MWL) (1994–1995) Springfield Capitals (FL) (1996–2001) Springfield Sliders/Springfield Lucky Horseshoes (CICL/PL) (2008–present) Robert Morris–Springfield Eagles (USCAA) | |
The field has been home to a number of minor league teams. The AAA American Association Springfield Redbirds played there from 1978 to 1981. Two affiliates in the Class-A Midwest League also called Lanphier home; the Springfield Cardinals and the Springfield Sultans, as well as an independent Frontier League team, the Springfield Capitals. Earlier teams who played intermittently at the stadium in its youth included the Class-B Springfield Senators and Springfield Browns, both of the Three-I League.
In December 2007 it was announced that baseball would return to Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield Sliders debuted in the CICL (Central Illinois Collegiate League) and won the league championship in their first season.[4] It would be the final CICL championship, as the league was disbanded and its teams (including the Sliders) became a part of the Prospect League.
The stadium also sees considerable use hosting local school baseball teams including the Lanphier High School Lions, the latter of which neighbors the municipal athletic complex the stadium is situated upon.[5] The stadium is the former home of the Benedictine University at Springfield Bulldogs baseball team.
References
edit- ^ "Robin Roberts Stadium". springfieldparks.org. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
- ^ "Reservoir Park".
- ^ a b "Robin Roberts Stadium". sangamoncountyhistory.org. October 12, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
- ^ "Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012". ballparkdigest.com. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
- ^ "Lanphier Park showing its age, but funds lacking to upgrade". sj-r.com. Retrieved 2018-04-21.