Bright House Field

West gate of Bright House Networks Field, Aug-2004.

A look at the stadium from above the bullpens in left field.

The line from home plate through second base is northeasterly.

• Location: Old Coachman Road at Sharkey Avenue (near US 19 and Drew Avenue), Clearwater, Fla.
• Opened: 2004 as Bright House Networks Field
• Additional names: Bright House Field (2009)
• Home team: Clearwater Threshers, Florida State League (2004-present); spring training, Philadelphia Phillies (2004-present)
• Capacity: 7,897 (including berm seating)

Chronological Tour: Stop 287

Rating: 4 baseballs

Three levels and how many miles to Philly?

This modern facility, convenient to the busy US 19, features full training facilities for the Phillies’ spring operations as well as several features that are good for spectators. There are no benches here, only 6,437 stadium seats in a single bowl (no cross aisle) as well as room for 460 more in the suites and club level and another 1,000 on the grass berm in the outfield. The seats down the lines are angled toward the field.

In addition, there is a tiki bar beyond left field. On the night I attended, a fireworks Saturday, it appeared there were more fans at the tiki bar than in the seating bowl ... and the folks in the tiki bar were paying little heed to the game in progress, perhaps in part because of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason game taking place across the bay and available on television.

There are only two entrances to the park, a south gate and a west gate. There is no access behind home plate, which could make egress difficult for fans leaving a spring training game. On the other hand, for Florida State League games, general admission is just $2 (at least in 2004).

Much was made by the Phillies of how they received both a new spring training facility and a new home park in the same year.