Jacobs Field
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jacobs Field | |
|---|---|
| The Jake | |
  |
|
| Location | 2401 Ontario Street Cleveland, Ohio 44115 |
| Broke ground | January 1992 |
| Opened | April 4, 1994 |
| Owner | Cuyahoga County |
| Operator | Gateway Economic Development Corp |
| Surface | Kentucky Blue Grass |
| Construction cost | $175 million |
| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Tenants | |
| Cleveland Indians (1994-present) | |
| Capacity | |
| 43,345 (1994) | |
| Dimensions | |
| Left Field - 325 ft (99 m) Left-Center - 370 ft (113 m) Center Field - 405 ft (123.5 m) Right-Center - 375 ft (114 m) Right Field - 325 ft (99 m) Fence Height: Left Field - 19 ft (6 m) Center and Right Fields - 8 feet (2.5 m) |
|
Jacobs Field (informally called "The Jake") is a baseball stadium located in the middle of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex, along with Gund Arena, it was built as a replacement for Cleveland Stadium.
Jacobs Field is home to the Cleveland Indians of the American League, and bears the name of former team owner Richard Jacobs. As part of the sale of the team in 2000, the naming rights were scheduled to expire at the end of 2006.[1] The name remains while the team looks to sell naming rights.
Contents |
[edit] History
Jacobs Field is one of the contributing factors to the revitalization of downtown Cleveland. Opening in 1994, it replaced Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which the Indians shared with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and which for the Tribe had become the archetype of the adjective "cavernous."
In May 1990, Cuyahoga County voters approved a 15-year sin tax on alcohol and cigarette sales in order to finance the new sports complex. In June 1992, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown at the site of the new Jacobs Field before construction of the building began. Finally, on April 4, 1994, the Cleveland Indians played their first baseball game at Jacobs Field against the Seattle Mariners. Then-president Bill Clinton threw the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians won 4-3.
In 1995, Jacobs Field hosted its first World Series, where the Cleveland Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves. Jacobs Field was the site of the 1997 MLB All-Star Game and the host of the 1997 World Series where the Cleveland Indians lost to the Florida Marlins.
Prior to the start of the 1997 season, Jacobs Field had a slight addition as two sections of seating were added onto the ends of the bleacher section, increasing the capacity by about 1,000 to its current 43,345.
The Indians' move to "The Jake" coincided with the coming of age of an outstanding young team, and the Indians soon became the hottest ticket in Cleveland. The ballpark set a major league record between 1995 and early 2001 by selling out 455 straight games. Demand for tickets was so great that they sold out all 81 home games before opening day on three separate occasions. The Indians "retired" the number 455 in honor of this outstanding record. "455 THE FANS" has been placed in lettering on a wall in the right field GA in commemoration.
In 2004, Jacobs Field's scoreboard, the largest free-standing scoreboard in the United States, was modernized with the installation of the largest video display in the world at a sports venue, built by Daktronics of South Dakota. The video board measures 36 feet high by 149 feet wide. Also in 2004, a center field dining area located behind the seating, formerly occupied by auxiliary bleachers, was replaced with a bar area called the Batter's Eye Bar.
Starting on Opening Day of 2007, the Cleveland Indians are going to be opening Heritage Park, a site for the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame, the 100 Indian Roster, and Memories of the Indians. It will be located behind the Center Field Wall, but with shrubs and bushes so it doesn't interfere with the "Batter's Eye View."
[edit] Ballpark firsts
| Statistic | Person(s) | Date |
| First Ceremonial First Pitch | President Clinton to Sandy Alomar, Jr. | April 4, 1994 |
| First Hit | Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners), home run | April 4, 1994 |
| First Indians Hit | Sandy Alomar, Jr., single to right field | April 4, 1994 |
| First Double | Manny Ramirez | April 4, 1994 |
| First Triple | Ken Griffey, Jr. (Seattle Mariners) | April 7, 1994 |
| First Home Run | Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners) | April 4, 1994 |
| First Indians Home Run | Eddie Murray | April 7, 1994 |
| First Grand Slam | Paul Sorrento | May 9, 1995 |
| First Winning Pitcher | Eric Plunk | April 4, 1994 |
| First Save | Hipólito Pichardo (Kansas City Royals) | April 15, 1994 |
[edit] Photo Gallery
 A look at the front of Jacobs field in April, 2003. |
 The scoreboard at Jacobs Field, featuring one of the largest video screens in the world. |
 Looking in from behind the right-center field bullpen at Jacobs Field. |
[edit] References
- ^ Hoynes, Paul. Tribe fielding offers to rename Jacobs Field, The Plain Dealer, May 24, 2006.
[edit] External links
- http://www.ballparkdigest.com/visits/jacobs_field.htm
- http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cle/ballpark/cle_ballpark_history.jsp
- Aerial view at Terraserver.com
- Video clip of fireworks at Jacobs Field
| Preceded by Cleveland Stadium 1932–1993 |
Home of the Cleveland Indians 1994–present |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by Veterans Stadium |
Host of the All-Star Game 1997 |
Succeeded by Coors Field |
| Current ballparks in Major League Baseball | ||
| National League | American League | |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Park | Busch Stadium | Chase Field | Citizens Bank Park | Coors Field | Dodger Stadium | Dolphin Stadium | Great American Ball Park | Miller Park | Minute Maid Park | PETCO Park | PNC Park | RFK Stadium | Shea Stadium | Turner Field | Wrigley Field | Angel Stadium | Comerica Park | Fenway Park | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Jacobs Field | Kauffman Stadium | McAfee Coliseum | Oriole Park | Rangers Ballpark | Rogers Centre | Safeco Field | Tropicana Field | U.S. Cellular Field | Yankee Stadium | |
