Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
BayCare Ballpark 601 Old Coachman Rd Clearwater, FL 33765
Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 8,500
BayCare Ballpark – Clearwater Threshers
Shortly before the MLB season begins, spring training comes to a close, and training facilities transition from hosting Major League Baseball’s stars, to preparing for the upcoming season and welcoming the game’s future stars. To that end, minor league baseball’s Florida State League kicks off its season just after the MLB season starts.
The Phillies partnership with the city of Clearwater dates back to the 1940s, but the Threshers, then named the Clearwater Phillies, would start to play in the Florida State League in 1985 at Jack Russell Stadium, which they would call home until the end of the 2003 season. The 2004 season would see a move further inland to the newly built Brighthouse Field, which is adjacent to Carpenter Complex, the Phillies’ training facility.
Food & Beverage 5
BayCare Ballpark effectively brings the flavors of Philadelphia, its suburban Delaware County (Delco), and nearby Jersey Shore to Clearwater. Manco & Manco Pizza, known for its sweet-sauced Philadelphia-style pizza, makes its way south from the Jersey Shore boardwalk. Additionally, Delco’s Original Steaks and Hoagies offers the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak, and Charlie’s Philadelphia Italian Ice provides the classic "water ice" for those with a sweet tooth.
The concession stands here offer a mix of traditional ballpark fare along with a large amount of specialty items. Alongside classic options such as hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers – including Beyond Burgers – chicken sandwiches, and stadium nachos, there are unique offerings like jalapeno burnt ends, mango habanero cheese bites, and even the Greek baklava. BayCare Ballpark also stands out with its diverse selection of condiments, including a variety of hot sauces and non-traditional options such as Jamaican jerk, honey sriracha, and chipotle citrus.
Soft drinks come from the Coca-Cola family of beverages, Gold Peak Tea, or lemonade. For adult beverages fans can visit Frenchy’s Tiki Bar in left field for specialty, frozen, bucket, or mixed drinks, as well as a full range of craft and domestic beers, seltzers, and hard teas. In addition, McGillicuddy’s Beers of the World offers an impressive selection of local and regional craft beers, while several beer carts feature local Tampa brewery Coppertail Brewing Co.
Even with some concession carts not in operation, BayCare Ballpark provides a diverse array of options that go beyond what is typically found at most ballparks at the A level.
Atmosphere 3
Using a Major League spring training stadium for Class A baseball offers several advantages, though it also presents some challenges. On one hand, the comfort and several amenities that are typically absent at Class A facilities are nice to have. BayCare Ballpark, for example, boasts a spacious 360-degree concourse and a large grassy berm that extends from right field to left center, with only the batter’s eye in straightaway center field interrupting its expanse.
The stadium also features a Mediterranean-inspired design, complemented by the palm trees that surround its exterior – these are comforts that are not commonly part of the Class A baseball experience. At the same time, the size of the stadium, paired with a modest crowd, is a bit of a drawback from the complete game experience.
While mid-inning entertainment is not completely barren at BayCare Ballpark, most of that time is filled with scoreboard games and contests, more so than the typical on-field activities.
There are plenty of seating options around the stadium, but it is always beneficial to be able to escape the Florida sun when possible – seating along the third baseline will provide some relief. And while afternoon games provide a minimal escape from the sun’s rays, the overhang of the press box and suites does provide a few more rows of escape and comfort.
Neighborhood 4
BayCare Ballpark is located just across the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which links Tampa to Clearwater on the Pinellas Peninsula. Clearwater is about 30 minutes north of St. Petersburg, making a Threshers-Tampa Bay Rays double dip a real possibility. Three other Florida State League teams – Dunedin, Tampa, and Bradenton – are also all within an hour's drive.
In addition, with the stadium’s proximity to the Phillies training facility, Carpenter Complex, fans here can observe the backfields, which are often used for Florida Complex League games or inter-organizational scrimmages – this can be a real treat for baseball junkies who enjoy watching young players develop their skills.
The area surrounding BayCare Ballpark features a high concentration of apartments, single-family homes, and strip malls, with a mix of nationally recognized restaurants and stores. Among the local favorites is Lenny’s, one of the more popular breakfast spots in Clearwater. Also within 2 miles is the original Hooter’s restaurant. There is also a notable presence of 3-star hotels in convenient proximity to BayCare Ballpark.
If the sun and sand of Clearwater Beach are more of a draw, the beach is about a 20-minute drive from the BayCare Ballpark. Clearwater Beach is home to numerous higher-end hotels with more amenities than those closer to the stadium, a variety of restaurants, and oceanfront activities, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. However, traffic can be heavy, making travel to the beach somewhat slow during peak times.
Fans 3
As a whole, the Florida State League has faced challenges with consistent attendance figures. However, Clearwater seems to be a bit of an exception to that, standing out as the top draw among teams in the league, averaging nearly 2,500 fans per game – significantly more than the next closest club. Clearwater has long been the top draw in the league, enjoying its top spot since the 2010s.
Despite smallish attendance figures, Thresher fans follow in the footsteps of their parent club counterparts, who need little prompting to get involved in the game. From the early part of the game, fans start a rhythmic clap, helping to will a third strike to end the inning. And despite the low-key nature of the league, the crowd does a good job keeping themselves part of the game experience, frequently starting chants and cheers even without prompting from the game’s entertainment crew.
The Florida heat and humidity can have a significant impact on turnout, as Sunday afternoon games do tend to be pretty lightly attended.
Access 4
BayCare Ballpark is located just off US Highway 19, which runs through Clearwater, making the stadium easily accessible. Highway 19 connects to I-275, with access from the north via Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Tampa, and from the south via the Skyway Bridge from Bradenton. Take note though, that traffic through Tampa can be heavy and challenging to navigate.
Parking is located just a short walk from the entrances on either side of the stadium, which lead up to an elevated concourse that wraps completely around the field. There is elevator access on the first base side for those who are not able to traverse the stairs, while the third base side is accessible via a ramp to the right side of the stairway. Ticket offices are located at the top of the stairs on both sides of the stadium.
Return on Investment 5
Standard tickets for Threshers games range from $9 to $14, giving fans an affordable sporting experience. Parking is available for $5, which is quite reasonable compared to many other stadiums. Additionally, the Threshers offer frequent discounts, with tickets on Tuesdays starting at just $1, and free parking on Sundays.
Concessions do seem to be a touch high, but there are certainly a handful of options that make buying a hot dog, slice of pizza, or soda much more palatable.
Extras 4
Depending on the time of year, the backfields of the Phillies player development complex are often bustling with activity. These areas are used for young players developing their skills, players rehabbing injuries, and Florida Complex league games against nearby teams.
The Clearwater Phillies/Threshers Hall of Fame can be found down the right field concourse and includes many of the heroes of the Phillies 2008 World Series team.
For those bringing younger fans to the game, a kid’s play area is tucked into the corner of the left field concourse and includes an inflatable bounce house and playground.
There are also free sunscreen stations around the stadium, which offer fans the opportunity to apply a coat of protection from the bright Florida rays.
Final Thoughts
The reorganization of Minor League Baseball heading into the 2021 season saw the Florida State League transition from the Advanced Class A level to the more developmental Class A level. While this shift might seem minor to fans simply seeking an enjoyable baseball game, they may not understand the developmental nature of young pitchers, who are still honing their command of the strike zone and still developing their ability to throw quality strikes, while batters are working on plate discipline. This learning curve can lead to valuable teachable moments for players, but may also cause frustration for fans who are more focused on the final box scores.
Among facilities in the Florida State League, BayCare Ballpark stands out as possibly having the most comprehensive minor league baseball experience. With its top-notch facility and typically the largest attendance in the league, it provides an exceptional game-day experience, where even a wayward bat dog would likely stop by to check out the facility.
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