Sims Legion Park
Sims Legion Park is a 3,000-seat baseball park in Gastonia, North Carolina that is the home field for Gaston College baseball.[1] It has hosted the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League, as well as American Legion baseball. The Grizzlies moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina starting with the 2021 season and were renamed the Spartanburgers.[2]
| Location | Gastonia, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35.279810°N 81.183813°W |
| Owner | City of Gastonia[1] |
| Capacity | 3,000 (expandable to 4,500) |
| Field size | Left Field: 335 Left-Center: 360 Center Field: 380 Right-Center: 360 Right Field: 335 |
| Surface | Turf (formerly natural grass) |
| Opened | 1950 (Sims Legion Park I) 1977 (Sims Legion Park II) |
| Tenants | |
| Gaston Rhinos (NJCAA Division II) 2022– Local American Legion Baseball, 1972– Gastonia Pirates (WCL) 1966–1970 Gastonia Cardinals (WCL, SAL) 1977–1982 Gastonia Expos (SAL) 1983–1984 Gastonia Jets (SAL) 1985 Gastonia Tigers (SAL) 1986 Gastonia Rangers (SAL) 1987–1992 Gaston County King Cougars (ACL) 1995 Carolina Diamonds (NPF) 1997–98 Gastonia Grizzlies (CPL) 2002–2020 | |
The stadium underwent a total rebuild in the 1970s in order to attract a Minor League Baseball team. Since then the stadium has seen many tenants come and go. An ongoing effort to build a new ballpark in Gastonia in 2021 produced CaroMont Health Park, home to the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League.[3] Sims Legion Park was further renovated between the 2021 and 2022 baseball seasons.[4]
Players who've played here include Andy Van Slyke (Cardinals, Pirates), Sammy Sosa (Rangers, White Sox, Cubs, Orioles), Juan González (Rangers, Tigers, Indians, Royals), Iván Rodríguez (Rangers, Marlins, Tigers), and former Major Leaguer Tug McGraw (Mets, Phillies), who pitched one game for the Rangers in 1989.
References
- Foote, Sharon (September 22, 2021). "City of Gastonia and Gaston College Sign Agreement for Sims Legion Park". City News Source (Press release). City of Gastonia. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- Hughes, Joe (October 22, 2020). "'The roar is gone': Grizzlies bolt south for new name, fresh start". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- Hughes II, Joe L. (May 25, 2021). "Diggin' in: Gastonia's new professional baseball team, stadium set for grand debut". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- Foote, Sharon (March 22, 2022). "Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening for Sims Legion Park". City News Source (Press release). City of Gastonia. Retrieved September 29, 2022.