Hammons Field

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- Over the past few decades, countless people have attended a sporting event or concert in Springfield at a facility with the Hammons name.    In Spring of 2004, Hammons Field opened in downtown Springfield. Within the year, it would be the home of the double A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. People with the Springfield Cardinals say this is just one segment of his legacy. Nearly one decade ago his vision became a reality to build the stadium. Fans went to Hammons Field for a Memorial Day game, but also honored the man who gave so much to Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A public celebration of the life of John Q. Hammons is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, at JQH Arena.  The developer, hotel  owner and philanthropist died Sunday night at age 94. A publicist for John Q. Hammons Companies said Thursday afternoon that the memorial will be from 1:30 - 2:30, with doors opening at 12:30.  The company is hosting and planning the event. JQH Arena is a basketball and event venue that opened in 2008.  Hammons donated $30 million toward its $67 million cost.  It was the latest Missouri State University building for which Hammons made a substantial contribution.

Springfield, Mo -- The Cardinals championship ring replicas are one of the most treasured souvenirs in Cardinals history.  For the third time, thousands lined up outside Hammons Field with the hopes that they will be one of the lucky few to get a ring of their own. Some lined up eleven hours early, 8:00 a.m., to make certain they claim their souvenir ring.  If you still have not got a ring for yourself there is one more ring giveaway planned...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo-- Fireworks at the Field Saturday night was a huge blast. Thousands of people celebrated the Fourth of July at Hammons Field. This was the first event of its kind. There was plenty to do before the fireworks. Many bands performed throughout the day. There were also many activities indoors to help people beat the heat.   Those with tickets could also ice skate and do arts and crafts. Managers say it is likely this event will take place next year because they are calling it a success.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Ryne Stanek proved why he was a third-round draft choice out of high school in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. The freshman gave up one run over seven innings to lift the Arkansas Razorbacks to a 2-1 comeback victory over the Missouri State Bears Tuesday night at Hammons Field.  The win is the Hogs eighth-straight against the Bears. "That was by far his best game of the year," said Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn of Stanek.  "He threw his breaking ball for a strike, he used a lot of change-ups, that's a pitch that he's just learning how to use. "  Missouri State struck first in the third inning after three-straight singles.  Bears starting pitcher Pierce Johnson cruised along, like Stanek, until the eighth inning.  The Hogs put together a two-run rally.  Kyle Atkins was hit by a pitch.  Bo Bigham's single moved the runners to first and second.  Johnson then wildly threw over to first after fielding a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Matt Reynolds.  Atkins scored on the error.  A sacrifice fly by Sam Bates scored Bigham with the go-ahead run. Trent Daniel and Nolan Sanburn pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings.  Stanek (2-0)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It's been a homerun for season eight of the Springfield Cardinals.  Team management is celebrating what looks to have been an 'up' year for attendance at the home of the little red birds- Hammons Field.  Preliminary figures show a slight increase in attendance compared to 2011. “We have the best fans in baseball. They come out.  They show their red,” explained Matt Gidfford, general manager. Gifford says the St. Louis Cardinals' win of the World Series last year may have boosted excitement- and overall attendance in 2012.  Also, special promotional giveaways helped bring out the crowds, which averaged a little more than 5,100 a night.  “It's just amazing the different things we have done.

Considering the long lines outside Hammons Field full of anxious fans waiting to get them, you might have thought that the World Championship Cardinal rings that were being given away had real diamonds like the ones the team received.  Just for the record, they don't.  But the design of give-away rings is an exact replica of the real thing-right down to the rally squirrel on the side.    Some fans started arriving as early as 10:15 a.m., almost 8 hours before the gates opened.  And some waiting in line even admitted they'd skipped work, admitting that if their bosses found out "there might be a problem.

   The much-anticipated home debut of St. Louis' top pitching prospect came with mixed results.    Shelby Miller, in just his second game at the Double-A level, allowed 6 hits and 3 runs, two of them earned, in 6 innings of work against the Tulsa Drillers.  But at times his ability to overpower batters was definitely on display, as he struck out 9 batters while walking just two.     Miller, a 20 year-old righthander out of Texas, was...

Tonight, families will gather for a special tribute at Hammons Field.  A record turnout is expected this year.  The 4th annual Lost And Found Memorial Balloon Release will start at 6:00 p.m.  The service is an emotional and powerful way for families and children to remember lost loved ones.  The environmentally friendly balloons can be purchased online at the non-profit's website and at Hammons Field starting at 5:45 tonight.  Click here...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The Springfield Cardinals Manager joins the list of speakers at the Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday. For the seventh year in a row, Hammons Field in downtown Springfield will be transformed into a unique place of worship for all denominations on Easter Sunday.  On Sunday, April 8, the gates of Hammons Field will open at 6:00 a.m. with the Greater Springfield Sunrise Celebration beginning at 6:30 a.m.   This year's Sunrise...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A public celebration of the life of John Q. Hammons is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, at JQH Arena.  The developer, hotel  owner and philanthropist died Sunday night at age 94. A publicist for John Q. Hammons Companies said Thursday afternoon that the memorial will be from 1:30 - 2:30, with doors opening at 12:30.  The company is hosting and planning the event. JQH Arena is a basketball and event venue that opened in 2008.  Hammons donated $30 million toward its $67 million cost.  It was the latest Missouri State University building for which Hammons made a substantial contribution.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Four days after his death, the body of developer and philanthropist John Q. Hammons was laid to rest on Thursday.  It was a private burial in his boyhood hometown of Fairview, near the graves of his parents, James and Hortense. Also Thursday, his company announced a public event to celebrate Hammons' life, achievements, and legacy will be June 11. The hotel developer died on Sunday night at age 94.  Hammons developed hotels across the country, becoming one of the country's largest private, independent owners.  The hotelier's importance to the Springfield community goes beyond his business.  He donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations, hospitals and schools.  He also built Hammons Field in downtown Springfield, which led to the move of the St. Louis Cardinals' Class AA franchise here: the Springfield Cardinals.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- Over the past few decades, countless people have attended a sporting event or concert in Springfield at a facility with the Hammons name.    In Spring of 2004, Hammons Field opened in downtown Springfield. Within the year, it would be the home of the double A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. People with the Springfield Cardinals say this is just one segment of his legacy. Nearly one decade ago his vision became a reality to build the stadium. Fans went to Hammons Field for a Memorial Day game, but also honored the man who gave so much to Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- Over the past few decades, countless people have attended a sporting event or concert in Springfield at a facility bearing the Hammons name.      In Spring of 2004, Hammons Field opened in downtown Springfield. Within the year, it would be the home of the double A affiliate of the St. Louis cardinals. People with the Springfield Cardinals say this is just one segment of his legacy. Nearly a decade ago his vision became a reality to build the stadium. Fans went to Hammons Field for a Memorial Day game, but also honored the man who gave so much to Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - He might not have built Springfield from the ground up. However, there is  no doubt John Q. Hammons helped craft the community into the city we know today. "We would not be as cosmopolitan as we are.  We would not have the quality of life that we enjoy," stated Jim Anderson, President of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Hammons was a developer in the right place at the right time.  He built shopping centers and subdivisions as Springfield's population boomed in the 1950s and 60s. In the 1980s he started redeveloping the decaying-core of downtown Springfield, first with University Plaza.  Then, in 1987, construction was completed on the tall office tower that would bear his name- Hammons Tower.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The 4th annual Lost and Found Memorial Balloon Release and 5K Run/Walk takes place at Hammons Field tonight. Balloon pick-up and sales will begin at 5:45, with the balloon release 30 minutes later. The 5K takes place at 7 p.m. An after-party will take place at Springfield Brewing Company from 7 to 10 p.m. For more information on the event, check out their website .

Tonight, families will gather for a special tribute at Hammons Field.  A record turnout is expected this year.  The 4th annual Lost And Found Memorial Balloon Release will start at 6:00 p.m.  The service is an emotional and powerful way for families and children to remember lost loved ones.  The environmentally friendly balloons can be purchased online at the non-profit's website and at Hammons Field starting at 5:45 tonight.  Click here...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo --  The 4th annual Lost and Found Memorial Balloon release is quickly approaching. This year it's being held at a new and exciting venue. Hammons Field will be the home of one of the largest memorial balloon releases in the Ozarks on May 23.  The event draws in a crowd from all across the Ozarks.  It gives families a chance to remember loved ones they've lost recently or many years past. Nearly 1,000 people attended this very touching event lat year. They are hoping for an even bigger crowd this year.

SPRINGFIELD -- The wind on Thursday and the Texas League Championship behind home plate before the game, reminded many Springfield Cardinal fans of last season's playoffs.  Unfortunately, the Springbirds couldn't get a win for their home opener, falling to Corpus Christi 5-0. It's Springfield's first shutout this season after scoring exactly 2-runs in each of the first six games this season. The Cards left 8 men on, and were 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Hooks Austin Wates was a machine Thursday night against Springfield.  Wates was 3-for-4, with 2-runs, 2-RBI and missed the cycle by just a double.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Last year's Texas League champions are getting ready take to the baseball diamond here in Springfield for the first time this year. In 2012, the Springfield Cardinals brought their first ever Texas League Championship trophy home. It's something they'd like to do again, but that's easier said than done. They'll have to do it without some key players like Kolten Wong and Oscar Taveras, who moved up to Triple-A Memphis -- and Trevor Rosenthal, who made the St. Louis big-league squad.