Sioux Falls, South Dakota
⚾ Sioux Falls Canaries

Situated in South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls Stadium is fittingly the largest ballpark in the state and the home of the Canaries, an entry in the independent American Association. While the current franchise may be somewhat fresh on the stage, the Canaries nickname has endured for well over a century in the East River, keeping baseball alive and celebrated in the unlikeliest of places.

The first incarnation of the Canaries was formed in 1902, joining the Iowa-South Dakota League before folding two seasons later. When baseball was revived in Sioux Falls two decades later, the team played in the Dakota League and Tri-State League under the “Soos” moniker before switching to the Canaries. A few more teams later and the loveable nickname would persist into the modern era, being adopted by the current club when they began play in the Northern League in 1993. Now, since 2005, the Canaries have been faithful members of the American Association.

Sioux Falls Stadium, which was built in 1964 and has been gradually upgraded throughout the years to keep up with changing times, has been the Canaries home for more than half of their existence across multiple circuits, earning it the honor of being called “The Birdcage.” It was following improvements in the late ’90s that the venue would fall in line with more of its small-city ballpark peers, seeing the addition of a picnic area, box suites and a grass berm. In recent years, additional renovations included a vibrant new turf field and updated seating, with the park now boasting a capacity of just under 4,500 fans.

As the historic home of a historic club that maintains deep ties with its host city, Sioux Falls Stadium features several informative displays and plaques celebrating the history of baseball in the region. The Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame is also located on the concourse, dedicated to some of the most overlooked contributors to the success of the sport.

While the ballpark overall has a primarily classic layout and not much to distinguish it – barring a unique strikeout zipline where Ks are attached to a rope and slid down towards the field from the press box – Sioux Falls is still blessed with a baseball team that’s fully ingrained into its culture. The Canaries have been around town on and off since before living memory, and there’s no doubt that they’ll continue to sing right here in The Best Little City in America.