Red McEwen Field

Walking up to the baseball field at the University of South Florida.

An impressive stadium facility draws a respectable crowd.

Non-conference action on a Saturday evening.

• Location: University of South Florida, USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa, Fla. (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 1967 as USF Baseball Stadium (current stadium built 2011)
• Additional names: Red McEwen Field (1977)
• Home team: Tampa Yankees, Florida State League (1994-95); South Florida Bulls, American Athletic Conference
• Capacity: 3,211

While the university was only founded in 1956 and began its baseball program in 1966, it quickly rose to national prominence. The Bulls made their first NCAA appearance in 1982, with Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts as their head coach. Eddie Cardieri, who succeeded Roberts, led the team to the tournament nine times in his 21 seasons.

When Florida State League baseball returned to Tampa after a five-year absence, the Tampa Yankees played at Red McEwen Field for two seasons while awaiting the completion of Legends Field (now George M. Steinbrenner Field) across the street from the site of old Al Lopez Field.

USF baseball is a popular event in the Tampa area. On the first night I attended here, there was a men’s basketball game in progress at the adjacent Sun Dome (Yuengling Center), yet over a thousand fans were at the ballpark cheering on their Bulls. With general admission tickets priced at $7, it is an affordable evening at a top-notch facility.

The field is across a campus street from Corbett Field, one-time home of USF football, which also hosted the professional soccer Tampa Bay Rowdies from 1974 to 1993.

Prior to the 2023 season, the Bulls installed artificial turf on their infield, including the pitcher’s mound. The outfield remains a natural surface.