A joy ride in the Minors' busiest ballpark
Walt Disney World has long branded itself "The Most Magical Place on Earth," but a similarly hyperbolic slogan could be applied to Roger Dean Stadium: "The Busiest Ballpark on Earth." Located in Jupiter, Fla. (approximately 150 miles south of the Magic Kingdom), the stadium stands alone in the world of
Walt Disney World has long branded itself "The Most Magical Place on Earth," but a similarly hyperbolic slogan could be applied to Roger Dean Stadium: "The Busiest Ballpark on Earth."
Located in Jupiter, Fla. (approximately 150 miles south of the Magic Kingdom), the stadium stands alone in the world of Minor League Baseball when it comes to use. While most Minor League front offices are gearing up for the grind of a 70-game season, those who work at Roger Dean are gearing up for the grind of a 170-game campaign. The 16-year-old facility serves as the Spring Training home for the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins and then goes on to host the Class A Advanced Florida State League affiliates of both teams (the Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads respectively).
That amounts to 15 Spring Training games for both Major League clubs, then 70 each for the two Minor League teams that call Roger Dean home. (They played each other 19 times last year). As if that weren't enough, the stadium also hosts the Cardinals and Marlins' Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliates on its surrounding back fields -- admission is not charged for these games -- as well as a wide variety of tournaments and community events.
Mike Bauer, Roger Dean's general manager, sums it up in an understated fashion: "We stay busy."
Roger Dean Stadium is located in Abacoa, a "live, work and play" planned community in Jupiter that includes 17 neighborhoods (each possessing a distinct architectural style) and some three million square feet of commercial space. Bauer refers to the stadium as "the centerpiece of an enormous Leave It to Beaver-type environment," and says even after 16 years of heavy use, it is still "state of the art."
Roger Dean Stadium was built in 1998 with the specific intent of accommodating two teams, and therefore each tenant has its own clubhouse, practice fields and training facilities. During its first six seasons of existence, the ballpark hosted the Cardinals and Montreal Expos, but after the latter team dissolved, a series of transactions resulted in the Marlins organization taking their place.
"What we have is a partnership between the two teams called Jupiter Stadium Limited, and I'm the general manager of that partnership," said Bauer, going on to explain that the "Roger Dean" moniker is the result of a naming rights deal with a local car dealership.
After graduating from the University of Florida, Bauer landed an internship with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and then spent five seasons with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning were owned by Palace Sports and Entertainment, and after Palace purchased the Asheville Tourists, Bauer moved there to run the team. That's a formidable amount of front-office experience, but nothing could quite prepare him for the realities of running Roger Dean Stadium.
"It's grueling, I'm not going to tell you it's not. We have 170 professional baseball games as well as the GCL going on in the back," he said. "We also host regional youth tournaments as well as more high-powered ones like the USA Baseball and Perfect Game Tournaments. ... We've hosted a beer festival, had high school football in the outfield, and done boxing, bar mitzvahs, weddings and celebrity softball."
The offseason at Roger Dean Stadium, to the extent that it exists, is currently in its final stages.
"Things are slowest in December, January and into February, but that's our top sales time. The offseason is such an important aspect, because that's when we're building partnerships and forming relationships," said Bauer. "In a perfect world, sponsors would get with us for both Spring Training and the Florida State League, but it depends on the partner. If it's a local business, they might focus on the FSL, but if it's somebody national, then they'll probably want Spring Training. ... We find out what their goals are, what they're trying to accomplish and build a package around that."
Of course, Spring Training will soon be upon us. At Roger Dean, both the Cardinals and Marlins will play 15 games before heading north -- well, south, in the Marlins case -- for the regular season.
"We're phasing into execution mode, doing things like part-time hiring," said Bauer. "Spring Training is such a fun experience, a great starting point. After a grueling winter, you can be in the sunshine, have a beer and just enjoy baseball."
But for the Roger Dean Stadium staff, it's the summer that's grueling. The Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads don't have separate front offices, but there is a distinct division of labor so that the overall operation can run more smoothly. Alex Inman and Ryan Moore are both assistant general managers for Jupiter Stadium Limited, with the former serving as GM of the Palm Beach Cardinals and the latter as GM of the Hammerheads. Each team also has a different PA announcer and press box staff, although things can get a little confusing when the two teams play each other in what have been dubbed "Feather vs. Fins" games.
But in a broader sense, the Cardinals and Hammerheads are run as one team. Revenue from games that take place at Roger Dean Stadium are split equally between the Cardinals and Marlins franchises, and as such Bauer and his staff don't differentiate between the two FSL clubs when it comes to marketing. For example, the recently released "Great 8" promotional schedule, highlighting eight premier theme nights and giveaways, doesn't even mention which of the two teams will be playing.
"We promote them both -- see the Hammerheads or the Cardinals," he said. "But one of the challenges when you're dealing with 140 games in Minor League Baseball is that there's a tipping point where having more games isn't necessarily better. It's just more expenses."
It also means that off days can be hard to come by.
"This is our world, we're used to it -- you have to deal with it," said Bauer. "But you do hit a wall, and employees have to know when they're burned out so that they can come to me and say that they need some time off. ... I'm good at giving four-day weekends, because 170 games -- that can be a tough pill to swallow."
That said, there are distinct positives as well.
"You get a taste of big league action during Spring Training, and then the fun and zany atmosphere of the Minors," said Bauer.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now