Year Opened: 1989
Capacity: 7,500
Architect: HOK Sport
Dimensions: 340L, 375LC, 400C, 375RC, 340R
Playing Surface: Grass
Website: sarasotareds.com
Phone: 941/954-4464
League: Florida State League (High Class A)
Parent: Cincinnati Reds
Parking: Plentiful near the ballpark.
Address/Directions: 2700 12th Street (12th Street and Tuttle Avenue), Sarasota. Coming from the north on I-75, exit at University Parkway; go west on University to Tuttle; turn left and head south on Tuttle; stadium is located on the right at the intersection of 12th and Tuttle. There is adequate signage to the ballpark.

Ed Smith Stadium is a very basic ballpark, serving as the spring home of the Cincinnati Reds and the regular-season home of the Sarasota Reds. Built in 1989 as the spring home of the Chicago White Sox, Ed Smith Stadium lacks many of the amenities you'd expect in spring training, such as a covered concourse or expanded concessions.

The design is basic. All seating is between the foul poles, and seating down each line is not angled toward the infield. The better seats are in the back of the grandstand: these seats are shaded.

Concessions are in back of the grandstand. Even for spring training the concession offerings are basic, though you can find Big Red Smokies on the menu in the spring.

It’s no surprise the Reds are moving spring operations to Arizona. Ed Smith Stadium was built before the retro movement in Florida spring-training facilities. While the complex is convenient for the Reds -- practice fields are beyond center field -- the ballpark isn't designed to draw in the fans, and as a result the Reds rarely sell out a spring game. The situation is even worse for the Sarasota Reds: there's nothing at the ballpark to attract the fans, no places to stand and watch the game, and none of the specialty areas (like the Tiki Hut in Clearwater) that have proven so successful both in spring training and the regular season.