Businesses cheer on Cards in suite style

When Alexander Joy Cartwright developed the modern baseball diamond in 1845, he couldn’t have envisioned watching the game from digs like the deluxe suites at Hammons Field.

The Springfield Cardinals’ home boasts 24 deluxe suites on the second level and two suites on the third level. Each suite is enclosed and climate controlled, allowing users to take in a ballgame in style and with a variety of food and drink choices.

Companies or individuals can purchase full, half or quarter-suites by the season and use them as they wish, said Kim Inman, Springfield Cardinals vice president of sales and marketing.

“They use them as a place to bring customers or vendors and as a reward program for their employees,” Inman said. “We never see the same people in the same suite every night.”

For those who don’t purchase suites, the third-level suites are available to rent by the game, or individuals might be able to rent from suite-owner companies, Inman said.

Settled in the suites
Great Southern Bank has purchased a deluxe suite for six seasons, since Hammons Field opened.

The bank finds plenty of ways to use the suite, said Teresa Calhoun, director of marketing for the bank.

“Sometimes a loan officer will take customers, or sometimes a whole department might use the entire suite,” she said, noting that it also came in handy after an annual shareholders meeting across from Hammons Field at Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.  

“We … walked over to the ballpark and entertained shareholders at the suite in the afternoon,” she added.

Great Southern executives also use the suite to treat vendors to a ballgame. Some tickets are donated for charitable auctions, and some are used in employee drawings or for staff rewards, Calhoun said.

SRC Holdings primarily uses its full suite as a perk for employees, occasionally sharing with customers and vendors, said Becky Lane, executive assistant.

SRC Human Resources Director Keith Boatright said the company initially bought its suite to support Hammons Field when it opened.

“We used to hold back tickets for other uses, but in more recent times, they’re given to employees right down to the front line,” he said.

The company tries to make sure every employee who wants to use the suite can do so at least once and take a guest. Lane said it’s a good opportunity for her to meet co-workers from other SRC divisions.

“My husband loves baseball, so he goes just to watch the game, but it is also a nice social time for me,” she said.

Calhoun said the novelty hasn’t worn off inside Great Southern’s suite.

“People here are still anxious to have the opportunity to go,” she said. “Other businesses have wanted to split the suite with us, but it just wouldn’t work for our company. The demand for the tickets is too great.”

While the deluxe suites aren’t all-inclusive, suite owners can preorder food if they choose. They also are rewarded with benefits each year, Inman said, including cups, hats, pins, discounts and the first option for the same suite the next season.

“This year, they also received one voucher for a St. Louis Cardinals game,” she said.

Inman declined to disclose the cost of a deluxe suite for a season, citing individual contract privacy. In 2005, Hammons Field’s inaugural season, the suites sold for roughly $37,000, according to Springfield Business Journal coverage.

Upscale experience
Groups of 25 to 40 people can rent the All-Star Suite or Cardinal Suite on the third level of Hammons Field for $25 a person, Inman said, and they can choose refreshments from ballpark food to higher-end fare, with varied pricing.

And this summer, larger groups can take advantage of Champions Club.

Prior to this season, Hammons Field had 28 deluxe suites, but four are being converted to the Champions Club. Season-ticket holders will be able to upgrade to the club to take in a ballgame suite-style. Champions Club, which will accommodate up to 100 people, also will be available for rent, though pricing hasn’t yet been determined. Inman said team officials hope to have the club open by the end of the month.[[In-content Ad]]