Welcome to Clearwater’s BayCare Ballpark, the place the solar shines all yr lengthy and future Phillies get their begin. Start your day by taking a stroll down America’s finest seashore and finish it on the Spring Coaching residence of baseball’s oldest steady one-name, one metropolis franchise.
Clearwater Threshers (Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1985)
Established: 1985
Ballpark: BayCare Ballpark (opened 2004)
League: Florida State League
Championships: 1993, 2007
Notable Alumni: Jim Thome, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Jimmy Rollins, Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling, Chase Utley
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
The Clearwater Threshers are situated in Clearwater, Fla., on the east coast of the Sunshine State. The membership has been a Phillies affiliate since its inception, first donning the title of its dad or mum membership earlier than altering to the Threshers as a part of a rebrand when the workforce modified stadiums in 2004. The membership performed in Jack Russell Memorial Stadium from 1985-2003, and their present stadium went via three totally different names earlier than adopting its present moniker in 2021 — Vibrant Home Networks Subject, Vibrant Home Subject and Spectrum Subject.
The Phillies have referred to as Clearwater their Spring Coaching residence since 1947, however the Threshers did not come to be till 1985. The membership’s Single-A associates have gone via a number of totally different title and placement adjustments, however proper earlier than they grew to become the Threshers, they have been the Peninsula Pilots in Hampton, Va., a membership that ultimately advanced into the Nationals’ present Excessive-A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Like many Minor League groups, the Threshers typically undertake an alternate id. On the final Friday residence sport of the month, the membership turns into the Seashore Canine, in tribute to calling probably the greatest seashores within the nation their residence. You’ll be able to even carry your canine to the park on choose days, with canine ticket proceeds benefitting native pet charities.
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
BayCare Ballpark
Ballpark location (by way of Google Maps)
Threshers Roster
Threshers Schedule
601 N, 601 Outdated Coachman Highway
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-712-4300
Capability: 8,500
Dimensions: left area, 329 toes; heart area, 408 toes; proper area, 330 toes
Along with internet hosting the Phillies’ Spring Coaching complicated, this metropolis is residence to probably the greatest seashores in America — the truth is, Clearwater Seashore was named one of the best seashore within the US by TripAdvisor in 2019, in no small half due to its white sand, breathtaking sunsets and year-round leisure.
Clearwater is without doubt one of the three cities that make up the Tampa Bay Space, the place baseball is aplenty. BayCare Ballpark pushes up towards Route 19, which travels north-south earlier than merging into I-275 the place the Sunshine Skyway Bridge begins. The park sits on the east aspect of Clearwater, about two miles from Outdated Tampa Bay, whereas the famed seashore and the Atlantic Ocean are to the west.
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
In entrance of the west entrance is a statue of Steve Carlton titled The Ace, which depicts the Corridor of Famer in his windup atop a fountain. The park additionally celebrates the Spanish-style structure of the area, with massive buildings that includes barrel-shaped tile roofs, thick stucco and dramatic arches with minimalist touches.
Followers who proceed via the west entrance will stroll up a flight of stairs and enter the third-base concourse. Persevering with left would first carry you to the Tiki Pavilion, a bar that includes a wide range of drinks and first-come first-serve seating. Subsequent to the pavilion is the bullpen space, then the berm in each left- and right-center area. Followers who take a proper after getting into via the west gate will proceed onto the remainder of the concourse, which ultimately ends in proper area.
The park provides customary field-level seating in addition to a wide range of different choices. There are three picnic terraces in left area in addition to luxurious suites and membership seating on the second degree behind residence plate.
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
Concessions
What would a Phillies affiliate be and not using a good place to seize a cheesesteak? Even 1,000 miles away from town of concord, followers can deal with themselves to a Philly staple on the Homerun Grille behind residence plate. You may as well buy customary ballpark fare right here. On the first-base concourse, you’ll be able to go to the Strikeout Cafe for warm canines and sandwiches. Additionally on the first-base aspect is Westshore Pizza, which additionally provides a meatball sub. Over on the third-base concourse, you’ll be able to seize boneless wings at Abe’s Place Faucet & Grill, sliders at Pete & Shorty’s and ice cream on the Pineapple Shack Island Creamery.
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
Mascot
In step with the Phillies’ model, the Threshers’ mascot is a shark named Phinley. He sports activities both an orange Hawaiian shirt with white flowers or a blue shirt with the Threshers cap insignia and pairs it with some board shorts. The cuffs on each clothes are lower as much as seem like shark bites. Phinley all the time has the largest smile on the ballpark — wouldn’t you for those who lived on the seashore?
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
Native Sights
Clearly, Clearwater Seashore takes the cake right here. Pier 60, named for State Route 60 that ends the place the seashore begins, boasts a fishing pier, playground, retailers and eating places which can be open yr spherical and deep into the evening. The Seashore Stroll provides bike racks, water fountains and a normal protected place for households, whereas additionally providing loads of fishing spots.
If you wish to be away from the water, the revamped Cleveland Road district provides 3.5 miles of eating places, bars and boutiques as a part of a bustling downtown scene. You’ll be able to catch a comedy present or a play on the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, or pedal throughout the causeway on the Memorial Causeway Bike Path.
Meals and Drink
Whether or not you need to keep on the town or head over to the seashore, there are many choices round. Eight minutes northeast in Security Harbor is Crooked Thumb Brewery, which provides a family-friendly indoor/outside area in addition to two lovely cats that patrol the premises. Throughout the road from the park is Lenny’s Diner, providing conventional breakfast fare for those who’re catching a day sport. Heading over to Clearwater Seashore, there are a plethora of grills, cafes and bars alongside Pier 60.
Lodging
In case you’re trying to avoid wasting cash and be nearer to the park, south of the complicated are a number of chain motels, in addition to motels alongside Route 60. In case you’re after a seashore view, there are many waterfront choices about quarter-hour west at Clearwater Seashore, starting from $100-$300 per evening.
Transferring On
There may be actually no scarcity of baseball to take pleasure in in Florida. Simply 10 minutes north is Dunedin, the place the Blue Jays’ Single-A affiliate performs. Drive 25 minutes east throughout the causeway and also you’ll attain the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate in Tampa. Lakeland, residence of the Tigers’ Single-A affiliate, is about an hour’s drive east, whereas Pittsburgh’s Single-A affiliate performs about 45 minutes south in Bradenton. In whole, there are 12 MiLB groups in Florida to take a look at, starting from Pensacola within the panhandle all the way down to Fort Myers on the state’s west coast.
Artwork or Picture Credit score: Tom Hagerty
The Highway to Philadelphia
Whereas the Threshers get to take pleasure in enjoying on the Phillies’ Spring Coaching complicated all yr, they’re a methods away from Philadelphia’s three different associates which can be all situated inside 75 miles of Residents Financial institution Park — the Excessive-A BlueClaws in Lakewood, N.J., the Double-A Fightin Phils in Studying, Pa., and the Triple-A IronPigs in Lehigh Valley, Pa.
Single-A: Clearwater Threshers
Excessive-A: Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Double-A: Studying Fightin Phils
Triple-A: Lehigh Valley IronPigs
