Grayson Stadium
Encyclopedia
Grayson Stadium is a stadium
in Savannah, Georgia
. It is primarily used for baseball
, and is the home field of the Savannah Sand Gnats
minor league
baseball team, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets
. It is also the part-time home of the Savannah State University
college baseball
team. It was also used from 1927 until 1959 for the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Savannah High School
and Benedictine Academy
. Known as "Historic Grayson Stadium" it was built in 1926 and is the oldest working minor league ballpark in America. It holds 8,000 people.
(WPA). In recognition of Grayson's work, the stadium was renamed in his honor.
The first South Atlantic League
game with both Black and White players took place at Grayson Stadium on April 14, 1953.
The park recently went through a two-year renovation process that started prior to the 2007 season.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. It is primarily used for baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and is the home field of the Savannah Sand Gnats
Savannah Sand Gnats
The Savannah Sand Gnats are a minor league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia and are a member of the A-level South Atlantic League. Since the 2007 season, the Sand Gnats have been an affiliate of the New York Mets.-History:...
minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
baseball team, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. It is also the part-time home of the Savannah State University
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
team. It was also used from 1927 until 1959 for the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Savannah High School
Savannah High School (Georgia)
Savannah High School is located in Savannah, Georgia, USA.-History:Savannah High School building, was originally located on Washington Avenue between East and West Atlantic Avenues. The original building, built by the WPA and designed by William Bordley Clarke, Sr., was once the largest public...
and Benedictine Academy
Benedictine Military School
Benedictine Military School is a Benedictine, military, all-male high school located in Savannah, Georgia, United States...
. Known as "Historic Grayson Stadium" it was built in 1926 and is the oldest working minor league ballpark in America. It holds 8,000 people.
History
Originally known as Municipal Stadium, the park underwent major renovations in 1941 following a devastating hurricane in 1940. Spanish-American War veteran General William L. Grayson led the effort to get the $150,000 needed to rebuild the stadium. Half of the funds came from the Works Progress AdministrationWorks Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA). In recognition of Grayson's work, the stadium was renamed in his honor.
The first South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
game with both Black and White players took place at Grayson Stadium on April 14, 1953.
The park recently went through a two-year renovation process that started prior to the 2007 season.