Sutter Health Park is a ballpark in West Sacramento, California. It is the home of the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League and the temporary home of the Athletics of Major League Baseball. Known as Raley Field from 2000 to 2019, the facility was built on the site of old warehouses and rail yards, across the Sacramento River from the California State Capitol. It is directly adjacent to downtown Sacramento.
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 Sutter Health Park in 2023 | |
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| Former names | Raley Field (2000–2019) |
|---|---|
| Location | 400 Ballpark Drive West Sacramento, California United States |
| Coordinates | 38°34′49.34″N 121°30′49.68″W / 38.5803722°N 121.5138000°W |
| Public transit |   Sacramento Valley Station 7th & Capitol (southbound) 8th & Capitol (northbound) |
| Owner | River City Regional Stadium Financing Authority |
| Operator | River City Stadium Management, LLC |
| Capacity | 10,624 (Fixed Seats) 14,014 (Total, including Fixed Seats, Lawn and Standing Room) |
| Field size | Left field: 330 feet (101 m) Center field: 403 feet (123 m) Right field: 325 feet (99 m) Backstop: 58 feet (18 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 28, 1999[1] |
| Opened | May 15, 2000 |
| Construction cost | $46.5 million ($82.3 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | HNTB[3] |
| Project manager | Cordell Corp.[5] |
| Services engineer | Frank M. Booth, Inc.[4] |
| General contractor | JR Roberts Corporation[6] |
| Tenants | |
| Sacramento River Cats (PCL/AAAW) 2000–present Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL) 2012 Sacramento State Hornets (NCAA) 2013–present (occasional) Athletics (MLB) 2025–present | |
History
editThe $46.5 million stadium was built in eight and a half months, but extended periods of bad weather forced the River Cats on a season-opening one-month-long road trip, as completion was delayed by 45 days. The completion time, however, was estimated to be about two years. The home opener was played on May 15, 2000.
The stadium is one of the few professional sports facilities in the nation built without a public sector contribution. Although constructed using bonds financed by the River City Stadium Financing Authority, bond payments are paid from ticket, concession, advertising, and other revenues, not taxes. Because the $46.5 million project cost was too large for the host city to finance, Christopher Cabaldon, in his first term as mayor of West Sacramento, recruited Sacramento County and Yolo County to join his city in a joint-powers agency which became the stadium financing authority.
The stadium has 10,624 permanent seats and grass berms in both right and left fields for a total capacity of 14,014.[7] Its original capacity was 14,611 and was decreased to 14,414 in 2005 with the addition of a party deck. It further decreased in 2010 with the opening of the Diamond Club behind home plate.[8] The stadium has 2,798 club seats and 750 seats in 36 suites.[8]
The naming rights for the facility were sold to Raley's, a regional chain of supermarkets which is also based in West Sacramento, for $15 million over 20 years. The stadium was not designed with expansion in mind; therefore, if a major league ballclub ever moved to Sacramento there would be significant work required.[9]
The ballpark hosted the 2005 Triple-A All-Star Game in which the Pacific Coast League All-Stars defeated the International League All-Stars, 11–5.[10]
There was discussion of the Sacramento Mountain Lions, an American football team in the United Football League, using the field during the 2012 season.[11] A final agreement to this effect was announced on August 6, 2012.[12] The UFL, including the Mountain Lions, abruptly shut down operations in the middle of the 2012 season.
On July 18, 2013, Raley Field hosted a soccer match, a friendly featuring Mexican side Dorados de Sinaloa and Premier League side Norwich City F.C.[13] The game finished 3–0 to Norwich, with goals from Luciano Becchio, Anthony Pilkington and Josh Murphy. The match's attendance was 14,014.[14]
As part of the Golden State Hockey Rush, Raley Field hosted a minor league hockey game between the Stockton Heat and the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League on December 18, 2015.[15]
The ballpark was renamed Sutter Health Park before the 2020 season as part of a naming rights agreement with Sacramento-based Sutter Health.[16]
Temporary home of the Athletics
editOn April 4, 2024, it was announced that the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) will play at Sutter Health Park from 2025 through 2027, with an option for a fourth year pending the team's move to Las Vegas.[17]
With its total capacity of 14,014, Sutter Health Park is set to become the smallest ballpark in MLB.[18]
On April 4, 2024, the Sacramento River Cats announced that, tentatively, they will remain at Sutter Health Park as well, playing on days when the Athletics are not playing there.[19]
Gallery
edit-
View of the city skyline from the grandstand -
Entrance during the day -
Entrance during the night -
Entrance with new sign -
Roof view of the ballpark during an off-night -
Aerial view in 2024
References
edit- ^ "Ballpark Beginnings". The Sacramento Bee. October 29, 1999. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Pacific Coast League". Ballparks.com. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ "Raley Field". Frank M. Booth, Inc. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
- ^ Parker, Clifton B. (May 26, 2000). "Raley Field: Sacramento's New Baseball Field". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ "Parex Steps Up To The Plate At Sacramento's New Raley Field". Design Cost Data. March 1, 2002. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ Knight, Graham; Smight, Tim (April 1, 2010). "10 Great Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage". USA Today. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- ^ a b "2015 Sacramento River Cats Media Guide" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^ Layer, Marine (March 7, 2009). "How to Expand a Minor League Park". New Ballpark. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- ^ "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2003–2007)". Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- ^ Tonsall, Sonseeahray (July 17, 2012). "Sign of Things To Come: Another Team Playing At Raley Field". KTXL. Sacramento. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ Johnson, Kelly (August 6, 2012). "It's Official: Mountain Lions Will Play Football at Baseball Stadium". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ Breton, Marcos (July 16, 2013). "Time Has Come for An MLS Team in Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ Goyette, Jared (July 19, 2013). "Meeting Republic F.C. and What We Learned From Sacramento Soccer Day". Sacramento Press. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ "Oilers', Flames' AHL affiliates to play outdoor game". NHL.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
- ^ "River Cats' Home to Become Sutter Health Park". Ballpark Digest. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ Drellich, Evan; Rosenthal, Ken (April 4, 2024). "Oakland A's to play in Sacramento's Sutter Health Park beginning in 2025 ahead of move to Las Vegas". The Athletic.
- ^ Ayestas, Jonathan (April 5, 2024). "A's moving to Sacramento: What to know, questions people have about the MLB team leaving Oakland". KCRA-TV.
- ^ Ayestas, Jonathan (April 5, 2024). "How will the A's coming to West Sacramento affect minor league team River Cats?". KCRA-TV. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
External links
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