Plant Field
Encyclopedia
Plant Field was the first major athletic stadium in Tampa, Florida
. It was originally built by Henry B. Plant
, owner of the Tampa Bay Hotel, in 1899 as an area to provide various activities for his guests. Plant Field drew Tampa residents and visitors to see horse racing
, car racing, baseball
games, entertainers, and politicians.The stadium hosted the first professional football
and first spring training
games in Tampa.
In the early 1970s, the field was acquired by the University of Tampa
, which changed its name to Peppin-Rood Stadium and eventually replaced it with newer facilities.
. Plant built a horse track on the grounds east of North Boulevard and south of Cass Street, now the site of the University of Tampa
athletic fields. During the 1898-99 tourist season, races were sponsored by the Tampa Agricultural Racing and Fair Association. When car races were added to the South Florida Fair, a race track debuted at the field on February 3, 1921. The track was a 1/2 mile dirt oval that operated until February 14, 1942. However it reopened on February, 1946 and operated until 1980, when the fairground was moved east of town. The land was turned over to the University of Tampa and converted to athletic fields. The original grandstands were used by the University until they were torn down and replaced in 2002. Plant Field would become a venue for dirt-track races sanctioned by the International Motor Contest Association
. Until the mid-1970s, races were held each year during the South Florida Fair, which became the Florida State Fair
after it was moved to Tampa from Jacksonville
.
teams soon used the field for their spring training
activities. The Chicago Cubs
called Plant Field their spring training home from 1913 until 1916. On March 26, 1914, Plant Field hosted the first major league baseball spring training game in the Tampa Bay area, as the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Browns
3-2.
Later the Boston Red Sox
used the field in 1919. That year on April 4, 1919. Babe Ruth
, playing in what would be his last season with the Red Sox, hit a home run 587 feet against the New York Giants
during an exhibition game. A plaque remains to commemorate Ruth's achievement as it was considered the longest home run of Ruth's career. Future Hall of Famers
Ted Williams
and Walter Johnson
played games at Plant Field. In November 1950, the Jackie Robinson All-Stars played a local black semi-professional
team, the Tampa Rockets
, at Plant Field. Robinson's team included major-leaguers Roy Campanella
and Larry Doby
as well as several Negro League players.
Plant Field later became the spring destination for the Washington Senators
during the 1920s. In 1930 Detroit Tigers
took over the field. The Cincinnati Reds
played their home spring-training games there from the 1930s until 1954, and the Chicago White Sox
became the field's last spring training tenent in 1954.
, led by Red Grange
, defeated the Tampa Cardinals
, a traveling pick-up team featuring Jim Thorpe
, 17-3. This game marked the first professional football game played in Tampa.
The University of Tampa played all of its home games at Plant Field from 1933 until 1936 before moving to Phillips Field. Henry B. Plant High School
and Hillsborough High School each used Plant Field and played against each other in an annual Thanksgiving game.
ended at the Plant Field grandstands from 1905 until 1976.
In 1912, "Buffalo Bill" Cody
performed on the field with hundreds of American Indians
who traveled with him as part of his show. When Tampa hosted the national reunion of the United Confederate Veterans
in 1927, some of the veterans stayed in quarters under the Plant Field grandstands.
Presidential candidate Henry Wallace
spoke at Plant Field in February 1948. Wallace insisted that the audience be integrated
. This marked the first political speech in Tampa during which blacks and whites could mix. Paul Robeson
sang at another integrated Wallace rally at Plant Field later that October.
During the 1952 Presidential Campaign
, Dwight D. Eisenhower
appeared at Plant Field.
Since then, the school has built many new facilities on its huge footprint, including a soccer field (Peppin Stadium), softball and baseball fields, dormitories
, and other academic and athletic facilities. Though some patches of the original playing surface are still in use as part of newer venues, the last remaining portions of Plant Field's old grandstand
were torn down in 2002.
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Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. It was originally built by Henry B. Plant
Henry B. Plant
Henry Bradley Plant , was involved with many transportation projects, mostly railroads, in the U.S. state of Florida. Eventually he owned the Plant System of railroads which became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad...
, owner of the Tampa Bay Hotel, in 1899 as an area to provide various activities for his guests. Plant Field drew Tampa residents and visitors to see horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, car racing, 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...
games, entertainers, and politicians.The stadium hosted the first professional football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and first spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
games in Tampa.
In the early 1970s, the field was acquired by the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
, which changed its name to Peppin-Rood Stadium and eventually replaced it with newer facilities.
Racing
Plant Field was the location of the South Florida FairSouth Florida Fair
The South Florida Fair is an annual fair held in West Palm Beach, Florida, every January or February. The fairgrounds site occupies and is located on the site of the former Palm Beach Speedway at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Fairground Road. It is set up to make it adjacent to the...
. Plant built a horse track on the grounds east of North Boulevard and south of Cass Street, now the site of the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
athletic fields. During the 1898-99 tourist season, races were sponsored by the Tampa Agricultural Racing and Fair Association. When car races were added to the South Florida Fair, a race track debuted at the field on February 3, 1921. The track was a 1/2 mile dirt oval that operated until February 14, 1942. However it reopened on February, 1946 and operated until 1980, when the fairground was moved east of town. The land was turned over to the University of Tampa and converted to athletic fields. The original grandstands were used by the University until they were torn down and replaced in 2002. Plant Field would become a venue for dirt-track races sanctioned by the International Motor Contest Association
International Motor Contest Association
The International Motor Contest Association was organized in 1915 by J. Alex Sloan, and is currently the oldest active auto racing sanctioning body in the United States. IMCA is currently headquartered in Vinton, Iowa, and features several classes and divisions of weekly racing in six geographical...
. Until the mid-1970s, races were held each year during the South Florida Fair, which became the Florida State Fair
Florida State Fairgrounds
The Florida State Fairgrounds is located in Tampa, Florida. In addition to holding the annual Florida State Fair, the fairgrounds also hosts a wide variety of other events throughout the year....
after it was moved to Tampa from Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
.
Spring Training baseball
Baseball began at Plant Field around 1899 when local teams played at what was then called the Tampa Bay race track diamond. However Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams soon used the field for their spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
activities. The Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
called Plant Field their spring training home from 1913 until 1916. On March 26, 1914, Plant Field hosted the first major league baseball spring training game in the Tampa Bay area, as the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
3-2.
Later the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
used the field in 1919. That year on April 4, 1919. Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, playing in what would be his last season with the Red Sox, hit a home run 587 feet against the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
during an exhibition game. A plaque remains to commemorate Ruth's achievement as it was considered the longest home run of Ruth's career. Future Hall of Famers
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
and Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
played games at Plant Field. In November 1950, the Jackie Robinson All-Stars played a local black semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
team, the Tampa Rockets
Tampa Rockets
The Tampa Rockets were a baseball team that played in the Florida State Negro League in the 1940s. Notable players that played for the Rockets include Walter Lee Gibbons and Raydell "Bo" Maddix. Both of them went on to play for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League....
, at Plant Field. Robinson's team included major-leaguers Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella , nicknamed "Campy", was an American baseball player, primarily at the position of catcher, in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball...
and Larry Doby
Larry Doby
Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....
as well as several Negro League players.
Plant Field later became the spring destination for the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
during the 1920s. In 1930 Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
took over the field. The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
played their home spring-training games there from the 1930s until 1954, and the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
became the field's last spring training tenent in 1954.
Football
On New Year's Day 1926, the Chicago BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, led by Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, defeated the Tampa Cardinals
Tampa Cardinals
The Tampa Cardinals, was a football barnstorming team, that played pick-up games, led by future pro football hall of famer, Jim Thorpe in 1926. During the time, the team was also billed as the St. Petersburg Cardinals and as Lena Vistas,...
, a traveling pick-up team featuring Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe
Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe * Gerasimo and Whiteley. pg. 28 * americaslibrary.gov, accessed April 23, 2007. was an American athlete of mixed ancestry...
, 17-3. This game marked the first professional football game played in Tampa.
The University of Tampa played all of its home games at Plant Field from 1933 until 1936 before moving to Phillips Field. Henry B. Plant High School
Henry B. Plant High School
H.B. Plant High School was opened in 1927 on South Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida, United States. The school is named in honor of railroad and hotel tycoon Henry B. Plant. The school mascot is the Panther. The school motto is "Strength Through Unity." Plant High School currently has enrolled more...
and Hillsborough High School each used Plant Field and played against each other in an annual Thanksgiving game.
Other activities
The city's annual Gasparilla Pirate FestivalGasparilla Pirate Festival
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year in late January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar , supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in...
ended at the Plant Field grandstands from 1905 until 1976.
In 1912, "Buffalo Bill" Cody
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
performed on the field with hundreds of American Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
who traveled with him as part of his show. When Tampa hosted the national reunion of the United Confederate Veterans
United Confederate Veterans
The United Confederate Veterans, also known as the UCV, was a veteran's organization for former Confederate soldiers of the American Civil War, and was equivalent to the Grand Army of the Republic which was the organization for Union veterans....
in 1927, some of the veterans stayed in quarters under the Plant Field grandstands.
Presidential candidate Henry Wallace
Henry Wallace
Henry or Harry Wallace may refer to:*Henry A. Wallace , U.S. Vice President 1941-1945, presidential candidate for the Progressive Party 1948**Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center...
spoke at Plant Field in February 1948. Wallace insisted that the audience be integrated
Racial integration
Racial integration, or simply integration includes desegregation . In addition to desegregation, integration includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions, rather than merely...
. This marked the first political speech in Tampa during which blacks and whites could mix. Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
sang at another integrated Wallace rally at Plant Field later that October.
During the 1952 Presidential Campaign
United States presidential election, 1952
The United States presidential election of 1952 took place in an era when Cold War tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was escalating rapidly. In the United States Senate, Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin had become a national figure after chairing congressional...
, Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
appeared at Plant Field.
Name change and demolition
In 1971, the University of Tampa Board of Trustees approved a transaction that granted the university possession of Plant Field and the rest of the fairgrounds and the grandstand was renamed Peppin-Rood Stadium after university benefactors.Since then, the school has built many new facilities on its huge footprint, including a soccer field (Peppin Stadium), softball and baseball fields, dormitories
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
, and other academic and athletic facilities. Though some patches of the original playing surface are still in use as part of newer venues, the last remaining portions of Plant Field's old grandstand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
were torn down in 2002.
External links
- Tampa's Original Field Of Dreams
- Plant Field
- Tampa Bay Football History Network
- Tampa's Plant Field, April 4, 1919: The spring training home run that changed baseball history...forever!
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