Pompano Beach Municipal Stadium

Pompano Beach Municipal Stadium was a stadium in Pompano Beach, Florida primarily used for professional and amateur baseball from 1957 until its demolition in 2008. The ballpark was dedicated on March 22, 1957 and held 4,500 people.[2] The stadium was the home of the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers at spring training from 1961 until 1986, multiple minor league clubs, and the Pompano Beach High School baseball team.[3]

Pompano Beach Municipal Stadium
LocationNE 8th St & NE 18th Ave
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060
OwnerCity of Pompano Beach
Capacity4,500
Field sizeLeft – 350ft.

Center – 420ft.

Right – 350ft.
SurfaceGrass
Construction
OpenedMarch 22, 1957[1]
Demolished2008
Construction cost$
Tenants
Washington Senators (AL) (1961–1971) (spring training)
Pompano Beach Mets (FSL) (1969–1973)
Texas Rangers (AL) (1972–1986) (spring training)
Pompano Beach Cubs (FSL) (1976-78)
Gold Coast Suns (SPBA) (1989)
Miami Miracle (FSL) (1990–1991)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (APSL) (1990)

Spring training and minor league baseball

It served as the spring training home of the Washington Senators from 1961 to 1971 and the Texas Rangers from 1972 through 1986.[2][4]

The stadium was home to multiple minor league teams including the Florida State League Pompano Beach Mets and Pompano Beach Cubs, as well as the Miami Miracle in 1990 and 1991.[5][6] The 1989 Senior Professional Baseball Association Gold Coast Suns split their home games between Bobby Maduro-Miami Stadium and Municipal Stadium.[7]

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the APSL used it as their home field in 1990 after the Broward School District via the school board, denied the team access to Lockhart Stadium.[8][9][10]

Improvements

In 1980 new night lighting, seat and fences were installed at a cost of $227,000.[11] Improvements in 1984 included a new practice infield, public address system, re-carpeting of the clubhouse and rewiring of the concession stands.[11]

Current use

The stadium was demolished in 2008 and the land repurposed into multiple baseball fields.[2] The baseball complex is managed by the City of Pompano Beach and hosts Federal League Semi-Pro Baseball, high school, and other amateur baseball games.

References
  1. Thuma, Cynthia A. (2007). Sport Lauderdale: Big Names and Big Games: A Sports Enthusiast's Guide to Broward County, Florida. Charleston, SC: The History Press. pp. 17–8. ISBN 9781596291454.
  2. Lenkowsky, Martin (9 August 2013). "Pompano Beach struck out aiming for baseball almost 30 years ago". The Pelican. Pompano Beach, FL.
  3. "Broward high school results and schedules". Business News. Sun-Sentinel. Broward, FL. 18 April 2007.
  4. Davis, Craig (10 February 2017). "Baseball royalty made South Florida shine during heyday of spring training". Sun-Sentinel. Broward, FL. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  5. Elmore, Cindy (21 August 1990). "Fans catch Miracle fever Pompano ball team scores 1st season success". Local. Sun-Sentinel (Broward ed.). Broward, FL. p. 3B.
  6. Kelley, Lane (30 April 1996). "Pompano ponders baseball feasibility - stadium repairs could land minor leaguers". Local. Sun-Sentinel (Final ed.). Broward, FL. p. 1B.
  7. Grossman, Laurie M. (5 November 1989). "Baseball bounces back in Pompano". Broward North. Miami Herald (Broward ed.). p. 2BR.
  8. Andreu, Robbie (12 May 1990). "Strikers' new pitch: Baseball stadium outfield". Sun-Sentinel. Broward, FL.
  9. Rusnak, Jeff (7 July 1990). "Strikers seek end to Pompano loss streak". Sun-Sentinel. Broward, FL.
  10. "Strikers perfect on the road". Sun-Sentinel. Broward, FL. 22 July 1990.
  11. Smith, Wes (26 February 1984). "Lone Rangers play to empty stands". Broward North. Miami Herald (Broward ed.). p. 3BR.

Further reading
  • Borenstein, Seth (8 October 1989). "Play Ball! Old-time baseball returns to Municipal Stadium in the form of retired major leaguers". North East. Sun-Sentinel (North Broward ed.). Broward, FL. p. 3.
  • Hyde, Dave (30 March 1986). "Spring romance with Rangers about to end in Pompano Beach". Broward. Miami Herald (Broward ed.). p. 2BR.


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