Philly South

West gate of Bright House Networks Field, Aug-2004.

A look at the stadium from above the bullpens in left field.

The line from home plate through second base is northeasterly.

Chronological Tour: Stop 287

• Location: Old Coachman Road at Sharkey Avenue (near US 19 and Drew Street), Clearwater, Fla. (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 2004 as Bright House Networks Field
• Additional names: Bright House Field (2009), Spectrum Field (2017), BayCare Ballpark (2021)
• Home team: Clearwater Threshers, Florida State League (2004-present); spring training, Philadelphia Phillies (2004-present)
• Capacity: 7,897 (including berm seating)

Rating: 4 baseballs

Three levels and how many miles to Philly?

In addition, there is a tiki bar beyond left field. On the night I first attended, a fireworks Saturday, it appeared there were more fans at the tiki bar than in the seating bowl ... and the folks in the tiki bar were paying little heed to the game in progress, perhaps in part because of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason game taking place across the bay and available on television.

There are only two entrances to the park, a south gate and a west gate. There is no access behind home plate, which could make egress difficult for fans leaving a spring training game. On the other hand, for Florida State League games, general admission was just $2 (at least in 2004). By 2016, the price had increased and they were also charging for parking. However, the club does offer Dollar Tuesdays, when general admission is $1 and so are certain concession stand items.

Much was made by the Phillies of how they received both a new spring training facility and a new home park in the same year.