YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Hammons Field was selected for the St. Louis Cardinals' taxi squad.
SBJ file photo
Hammons Field was selected for the St. Louis Cardinals' taxi squad.

Cardinals ‘taxi squad’ coming to Hammons Field

Posted online

As Major League Baseball prepares to return next month, the St. Louis Cardinals announced it selected Hammons Field in Springfield for use by its so-called taxi squad.

It’s unclear whether fans will be able to watch professional players in Springfield. Matt Turer, spokesperson for the Springfield Cardinals, said the Double-A affiliate has not yet received additional guidance other than what was provided in a news release yesterday. A taxi squad consists of players who are not on a team’s active roster but continue to train so they can be called up as needed.

“While we understand that our fans have many questions about what all of this means, we are learning details from Major League Baseball and will follow all safety and health protocols that Major League Baseball requires,” officials said in a news release. “Please note that this does not mean that the Minor League Baseball Season has been officially canceled. We are still waiting on details from Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball about our season, as well.”

A separate news release from the city of Springfield weighed in on the possibility of fan attendance. The release indicated it’s “unlikely fans will have access to watching the St. Louis Cardinals at Hammons Field as no games will be played and players will social distance from others to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

However, Turer said that statement did not come from the Springfield Cardinals.

In the city release, Mayor Ken McClure said the news has an economic impact on the area.

"I see this as a vital step towards economic vitality as our community reopens," he said in the release.

MLB team owners and the MLB Players Association yesterday agreed to a 60-game season scheduled to start on July 23 or 24. Players are expected to report for training camp by July 1, according to a separate news release.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences