Springfield Cardinals warn of parking fees

The return of Minor League Baseball comes with a familiar headache for the Springfield Cardinals: parking issues.  

New York-based JD Holdings LLC informed the team April 30 it would charge $20 per parking spot during games at lots it owns near Hammons Field, according to a news release from the Cardinals. JD Holdings owns the parking lot directly to the south of the center city stadium, as well as the Jordan Valley parking garage to the southwest. The company also operates a handful of local hotels via Atrium Hospitality. 

"As recently as last week, the Cardinals were led to believe that the price for this season was going to be $15 for all games," officials said in the release. "We are extremely disappointed that Atrium Hospitality and JD Holdings continue to price-gouge our fans.

"The Cardinals feel the actions by Atrium Hospitality and JD Holdings to further increase rates to $20 are intentional, purposeful and hurtful to fans, once again waiting until right before the home opener to communicate this outrageous price."  

Officials with Atrium Hospitality could not be reached immediately for comment by deadline.

It's a similar story to that of the 2019 season, when JD Holdings increased parking fees to $20 from $14. The 2020 season was not held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, the Cardinals reached shuttle and parking deals with J. Howard Fisk Limousines Inc. and Ozarks Technical Community College, respectively, that brought fan attendance up through the end of the season. The team’s 2019 season ended with 328,217 fans attending games, up from 326,362 in 2018, according to past reporting.

The release did not indicate whether deals had been reached this season with Fisk Limousines and OTC.  

The Cardinals' home opener is scheduled May 4.