OPINION|
Hey Answer Man! Now that the city has purchased Hammons Field, will there be a name change? — Phil Snider, Springfield
Yes, probably.
The details of such a change are spelled out in the paperwork involving the sale.
The St. Louis Cardinals have the authority to sell the naming rights, subject to the written approval of the landlord, which is now the city of Springfield.
At first blush, it’s hard to imagine what names the city might reject.
“Brad Bradshaw’s We’ve Never Lost a Game Stadium — and Surgery Center”?
“Cannabis Field”?
“We’re Not In University Heights Park”?
The sale proceeds from the naming rights, according to the agreement, go toward paying for needed improvements at the ballpark.
Let’s look at stadium names at other St. Louis Cardinals affiliates
One contender, I imagine, will be Great Southern Bank, which has headquarters here.
After all, the bank last year bought the naming rights to what we had known as John Q. Hammons Arena. The name change came with a $5.5 million donation from the bank to the Missouri State Foundation.
For likely contenders, I reviewed the names of the stadiums at the other St. Louis Cardinals affiliates.
The Triple-AAA Memphis Redbirds play in AutoZone Park, which has its national headquarters in Memphis.
Perhaps O’Reilly Auto Parts, with national headquarters in Springfield, might have an interest. The company already has the naming rights to the O’Reilly Family Event Center at Drury University.
On the other hand, when it comes to all things automotive, I tend to think of my mechanic, Ken Owen.
I like the sound of “Ken Owen Stadium, Field of Bumper-to-Bumper Thumpers.”
But this would take a GoFundMe campaign, which I don’t know how to do.
What about local manufacturers?
The Peoria Chiefs, the St. Louis Cardinals High-A affiliate, play in Dozer Park in downtown Peoria, Illinois.
That’s “Dozer” as in “Bulldozer.”
Caterpillar Inc., with headquarters in Irving, Texas, has offices in Peoria and a plant in East Peoria. Caterpillar makes bulldozers.
Here in Springfield, we have manufacturers and even a re-manufacturer.
Would they be interested?
In baseball lingo, “cheese” means a fastball with some giddy-up, making it hard to hit.
I see the park packed at “Cheese Night” at Kraft Stadium. That’s when our hardest thrower takes the mound. Louie could throw out the first cheese slice.
What about local car dealers?
The St. Louis Cardinals have a Single-A (the lowest minor-league level) team that plays at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.
Roger Dean was a car dealer. He opened a Chevrolet dealership in West Palm Beach in 1960 and went on to own others in South Florida. He died in 1999.
We certainly have car dealers here in Springfield.
What about “Corwin Ford Stadium”?
I think it has possibilities.
“Fireworks Fridays! And We’ll Buy Your Vehicle!”
This is Answer Man Column No. 37.
