Sutter Health Park
Sutter Health Park is the home ballpark of the Sacramento River Cats Minor League Baseball team, which is a member of the Pacific Coast League.
Known as Raley Field from 2000 to 2019, the facility was built on the site of old warehouses and rail yards in West Sacramento, California, across the Sacramento River from the California State Capitol. It is directly adjacent to downtown Sacramento. It is planned be the home of the Oakland Athletics from 2025 through 2027 (with an option for 2028), leading up to the franchise's move to Las Vegas.
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.jpg) Sutter Health Park in 2023 | |
| Former names | Raley Field (2000–2019) |
|---|---|
| Location | 400 Ballpark Drive West Sacramento, California United States |
| Coordinates | 38°34′49.34″N 121°30′49.68″W / 38.5803722°N 121.5138000°W |
| Public transit |   Sacramento Valley Station 7th & Capitol (southbound) 8th & Capitol (northbound) |
| Owner | River City Regional Stadium Financing Authority |
| Operator | River City Stadium Management, LLC |
| Capacity | 10,624 (Fixed Seats) 14,014 (Total, including Fixed Seats, Lawn and Standing Room) |
| Field size | Left field: 330 feet (101 m) Center field: 403 feet (123 m) Right field: 325 feet (99 m) Backstop: 58 feet (18 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 28, 1999 |
| Opened | May 15, 2000 |
| Construction cost | $46.5 million ($82.3 million in 2023 dollars) |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Project manager | Cordell Corp. |
| Services engineer | Frank M. Booth, Inc. |
| General contractor | JR Roberts Corporation |
| Tenants | |
| Sacramento River Cats (PCL/AAAW) 2000–present Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL) 2012 Sacramento State Hornets (NCAA) 2013–present, Occasional The Athletics (MLB) (2025–2027) | |
History
The $46.5 million stadium was built in eight-and-a-half months, but extended periods of bad weather forced the River Cats on a season-opening one month-long road trip, as completion was delayed by 45 days. The completion time, however, was estimated to be about two years. The home opener was played on May 15, 2000.
The stadium is one of the few professional sports facilities in the nation built without a public sector contribution. Although constructed using bonds financed by the River City Stadium Financing Authority, bond payments are paid from ticket, concession, advertising, and other revenues, not taxes. Because the $46.5 million project cost was too large for the host city to finance, Christopher Cabaldon, in his first term as Mayor of West Sacramento, recruited Sacramento County and Yolo County to join his city in a joint-powers agency which became the stadium financing authority.
The stadium has 10,624 permanent seats and grass berms in both right and left fields for a total capacity of 14,014. Its original capacity was 14,611 and was decreased to 14,414 in 2005 with the addition of a party deck. It further decreased in 2010 with the opening of the Diamond Club behind home plate. The stadium has 2,798 club seats and 750 seats in 36 suites.
The naming rights for the facility were sold to Raley's, a regional chain of supermarkets which is also based in West Sacramento, for $15 million over 20 years. The stadium was not designed with expansion in mind; therefore, if a major league ballclub ever moved to Sacramento there would be significant work required.
The ballpark hosted the 2005 Triple-A All-Star Game in which the Pacific Coast League All-Stars defeated the International League All-Stars, 11–5.
There was discussion of the Sacramento Mountain Lions, an American football team in the United Football League, using the field during the 2012 season. A final agreement to this effect was announced on August 6, 2012. The UFL, including the Mountain Lions, abruptly shut down operations in the middle of the 2012 season.
On July 18, 2013, Raley Field hosted a soccer match, a friendly featuring Mexican side Dorados de Sinaloa and Premier League side Norwich City F.C. The game finished 3–0 to Norwich, with goals from Luciano Becchio, Anthony Pilkington and Josh Murphy. The match's attendance was 14,014.
As part of the Golden State Hockey Rush, Raley Field hosted a minor league hockey game between the Stockton Heat and the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League on December 18, 2015.
The ballpark was renamed Sutter Health Park before the 2020 season as part of a naming rights agreement with Sacramento-based Sutter Health.
On April 4, 2024, it was announced that the Oakland Athletics will play at Sutter Health Park from 2025 through 2027, with an option for a fourth year pending the team's transition to Las Vegas. With it's total capacity of 14,014, it is set to become the smallest ballpark in Major League Baseball.
Gallery
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View of the city skyline from the grandstand -
Entrance during the day -
Entrance during the night -
Entrance with new sign
References
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