City of Springfield Officially Purchasing Hammons Field, Nearby Parking Lots

The final decision has now been handed down: The City of Springfield is the new owner of Hammons Field.

The $12 million purchase followed approval by a bankruptcy court judge and an agreement on closing, where the city took full ownership of the ballpark and the adjacent parking lots attached to the facility.

The park was previously owned by The John Q. Hammons Charitable Trust.

Hammons Field is home to both the Springfield Cardinals, the St. Louis Cardinals AA affiliate, as well as the Missouri State University baseball team.

A celebration event for the purchase has been scheduled for Thursday, where fans can come to the ballpark and watch the St. Louis Cardinals opening day game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Admittance for the event is free.

Officials say the lease agreement will allow the ballpark to be self-sustaining and capable of paying for maintenance and improvements with revenue made.