📍 Jacksonville, Florida
⚾ Home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Known as the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville when it opened in 2003, the red brick ballpark at the corner of Adams St. and A.P. Randolph St. is one of the most quaint and underrated venues in the minor leagues. The Southern-style stadium, boasting a capacity of over 11,000, is full of palm trees, the good vibes of North Florida and crowds eager to cheer on their Triple-A Jumbo Shrimp.

The Shrimp’s direct predecessor is a team known as the Jacksonville Suns, which began play in 1962 and was also a Triple-A team. Previously, however, the city had hosted decades of minor league baseball, thanks to clubs like the Jays, Tars and Braves. The Suns competed at old Wolfson Park for 7 seasons before relocating to Norfolk, Virginia, but it wasn’t long until a Double-A entry of the same name replaced them.

The Suns – although they were known as the Expos for a time before reverting – left Wolfson Park in 2002 and became the Jumbo Shrimp in 2017, a move designed to help the franchise maintain relevancy and adhere to more locally-tied branding. As a result of Minor League Baseball’s realignment in 2021, the Shrimp were elevated up to the Triple-A International League – bringing baseball’s top development class back to the region for the first time in more than fifty years – and the team continued their already existing affiliation with the Miami Marlins.

Behind home plate, legendary players and owners who have spent time in Jacksonville are enshrined on informative plaques – from all-timers like Nolan Ryan and Hank Aaron to less widely-known locals such as Peter Bragan Sr. and Sam Wolfson, the latter whose name adorned the Shrimp’s former stadium.

Even before their arrival at VyStar Ballpark, the franchise enjoyed much success, securing 2 Southern League titles as a farm team for the Tigers and Dodgers. Since their move across the street, the team has gone on to clinch 6 more Southern League titles, and 1 crown in the International League, culminating in their first-ever Triple-A National Championship in 2025.

As one of the finer facilities in its circuit, VyStar Ballpark is a contemporary ballpark that capitalizes on typical modern amenities while still maintaining an old-school classic feel. Rich with gently-sloping berms, social areas and concessions galore, the venue is a little gem with cityscape views and beautiful Florida iconography.