| Unfortunately, I was rained out the night I tried to attend a game at Tinker Field, so I never got to experience it in full. From what I did see, though, it looked like a nice park to catch a game.
Tinker Field had many unique aspects not found in other minor league parks. It’s unfortunate that 1999 was its final year of use, as the Rays moved into their new Disney park in 2000. The ballpark sat right next to the Citrus Bowl, with the massive football stadium towering over the outfield wall.
The grandstand was partially covered and featured several ceiling fans—though they didn’t do much to cool off spectators. The press box, perched at the top of the grandstand, was almost completely open, an unusual feature for a ballpark. The concourse was located outside the stadium, mostly uncovered, and featured a large souvenir stand along with a couple of concession stands. However, the variety of concessions seemed somewhat limited.
Seating consisted of individual fold-down chairs under the grandstand and metal bleachers down both baselines. While Tinker Field didn’t have the amenities of modern Double-A ballparks, it had a classic charm that made it special.
Sadly, the ballpark was demolished in 2015. Though the stadium was lost, its legacy has not been forgotten—a small plaza was later built to memorialize Tinker Field and honor its place in baseball history.
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