Robin Roberts Stadium - Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
- Eric Hasman
- Jul 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Photos by Eric Hasman and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Robin Roberts Stadium 1415 North Grand Avenue E Springfield, IL 62702
Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 5,200
Feeling Lucky in Springfield
Robin Roberts Stadium originally opened in 1925 as Reservoir Stadium (the name references the water reservoir located on what is now Lanphier High School). Then it was known as Lanphier Park, and then the stadium was renamed after Robin Roberts, a Hall of Fame MLB pitcher and a 1976 graduate of Springfield's Lanphier High School.
The stadium has a long history or Minor league baseball:
Springfield Senators (1925 -1935, Three-I League/Mississippi Valley League)
Springfield Browns (1938 -1942, and 1946-50 Three I League)
Springfield Redbirds (1978 -1981 AA - relocated from New Orleans (Pelicans)
Springfield Cardinals (1982 -1993 Midwest League)
Springfield Sultans (1994 - 1995 Midwest League)
Springfield Capitals (1996 - 2001 Frontier League)
Springfield Sliders (2001 - 2021 Central Illinois Collegiate League / Prospect League)
In 2022, Golden Rule Entertainment (the primary majority ownership group led by Jamie Toole, his wife, Melissa Gaynor-Toole, and WWE Hall of Famer and TNA Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett), became the owners and rebranded the team as the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes (2022 to present).
The Lucky Horseshoes name was chosen to honor the local delicacy, the horseshoe sandwich (an open-faced sandwich consisting of thick-sliced toasted bread (often Texas toast), a hamburger patty or other choice of meat, French fries, and cheese sauce), which originated in Springfield, Illinois. The “lucky” was added to play along with the name horseshoe, and to US President Abraham Lincoln, whose home, along with his library, is a tourist destination in town.
The first game played at Robin Roberts Stadium, then known as Reservoir Park, was on May 12, 1925. That day, the Springfield Senators dropped a 6-4 decision to the Terre Haute Hottentots in the Three-Eye League. The next day, a massive crowd of 12,000 people showed up for the opening ceremonies and witnessed a triple play and a grand slam. Sadly, the Senators lost 7-6.
In 1997, approximately $280,000 worth of renovations were completed on the stadium, including improved lighting, new locker rooms, increased seating capacity, and a new scoreboard with a small message board.
The stadium features a "turtleback" field, where the infield is elevated with a steep downslope to the outfield, making the pitcher's mound the highest point on the field. This was common in many ballparks of the 1920s and was created mostly for drainage purposes, as they allow rainwater to drain off the infield quickly. It is one of a handful of ballparks that features the quirk, but it is still effective.
The concourse displays paintings of the championship flags that occurred in the ballpark:1939 Browns, 1980 Redbirds, 1996 & 1998 Capitals, 2008 Sliders, and 2022 Lucky Horseshoes. The ballpark has two picnic areas down each foul line and a beer garden area in the concourse behind first base. The concourse is painted in the team colors of blue and yellow. For an old ballpark, it is a comfortable spot for a game during the summer months.
The playing field is big with dimensions of 320’ feet down the lines and 420 feet to center. There is a lot of foul ground here too.
Future renovations are planned that will change the ballpark significantly. The renovations will cost about $6 to 7 million and will include stadium lighting, a reimagined seating bowl configuration, increased ADA seating, bathroom renovations, increased parking spots, an improved PA & sound system, and a new team store.
In 2026, Robin Roberts Stadium is the home of the Women’s Professional Baseball League. The League has four teams: Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, and San Francisco Firebells. I find it odd that the League is playing in Illinois, as there is not an “Illinois” based team.
Food & Beverage 4
The main concession stands are underneath the grandstand and have almost anything you would need at a ball game. The prices range from approximately $5 to $11 per item; the Lucky Horseshoe and pulled pork nachos are the highest-priced menu items at $10.75. They also have a pork chop on a stick, pulled pork sandwich, walking taco, chicken strips, cheese curds, hot dogs, corn dog (sadly, it is not a Cozy dog), nachos, and burgers. The food is locally produced and quite tasty, especially the horseshoe.
Sodas / Gatorade cost $4.75, and bottled water is $4.50. Slushies are $5, and popcorn is $4.75.
Two bar areas serve cans of beer. If you want a domestic (Budweiser, Michelob, Busch, Coors, or Miller tall boy), it will cost you $6.75. In addition, they have beer locally brewed for the Horseshoes: Shoes on First Golden Lager, Springfield Lucky Lager, Limes on Second, Shoe Brew, Field of Blackberry Dreams, and Homerun Honey Wheat, which costs $8.25. Canned cocktails sell for $7.25.
Atmosphere 3
Even though the crowd was small, the atmosphere was fun, maybe because it was a fireworks night. It is a very comfortable and relaxing place to watch a game. The focus is on the field instead of the in-between promotions, which were absent during the night of this review.
The ballpark is wide open and consists mainly of aluminum bleacher seating down the foul lines and theater-style seating behind home plate. There is the main concourse between the reserved and general admission seating. A picnic area for groups is located down the first baseline of the facility with a small party deck down the left field line. On days when these areas are not rented out, anyone can sit there.
Horace, the club’s official mascot, makes his way around the concourse signing autographs and giving hugs and high-fives to fans of all ages.
The souvenir shop is a throwback to the old booths that used to exist in similarly constructed buildings. Fans can select from t-shirts, caps, jerseys, foam fingers, and other paraphernalia. A shirt starts at $25, a cap is about $30, and an official jersey is $80. They had game-worn specialty jerseys on sale for $20; however, the sizes were limited. Keychains and other novelties like baseballs, etc. sell for a few dollars to $20.
A Wall of Fame of former players lines the upper level of the stadium’s grandstand, featuring former high school standout and Hall of Famer Robin Roberts.
The Lucky Horseshoes have retired numbers on the left field wall: #30 Lucas Otto (who was killed by a driver going the wrong way in a car accident in 2020), Abraham Lincoln (#16 for the former president), #20 Robin Roberts (former Springfield resident who became an MLB Hall of Famer), and #42 Jackie Robinson.
Neighborhood 3
You can see residential houses over the right field wall, and behind the left field line is the Lanphier High School Football Field and School. In addition, the ballpark is not too far away from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, which features wonderful exhibits from the 16th president of the United States along with his presidential home and monument. A must-see if you are a history buff or just a fan of Honest Abe himself.
Across the street from the library is the Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery. The popular spot offers craft beer, food, and outdoor seating with a bocce ball court.
A few more places are the Illinois State Museum, the Dana Thomas House, and the Old State Capitol. A farmer’s market is held downtown every Saturday during the summer months, and one should enjoy a pint from Buzz Bomb Brewing Company or Anvil & Forge.
The city is on Route 66, and worthy of a visit to the Cozy Dog Drive-In (2935 S 6th St.) - the place is credited with inventing the corndog. It has a collection of memorabilia of the famous highway along with smash burgers, hand-cut fries, homemade chili dogs, and cozy dogs (deep-fried, battered hot dogs on a stick). You can also get a breakfast horseshoe with sausage gravy.
To get a regional dish called the horseshoe, I would go to D'Arcy's Pint (661 W Stanford Ave) to try a Springfield classic: the "Horseshoe.” The TV show Man vs Food went to Joe Rogers' Original Recipe Chili Parlor (located at 820 S 9th St). Adam Richmond attempted the "Firebrand Chili Challenge" (the challenge was to eat six bowls of their intensely hot, secret-spiced Firebrand chili). I am told this is really good chili.
Fans 3
The Horseshoe fan appears to be occupied with the game taking place on the field and very into the game quality of play. They enjoy a winner just like any other baseball city, but many are decked out in caps, jerseys, and shirts that make them stand out as legit fans.
Access 4
The ballpark is located on the north side of town, not that far from downtown attractions. Once inside, it can get a little crowded near the concession and entrance of the stadium. However, one can navigate quite efficiently once inside the grandstand. There is a lot of room at this ballpark and enough to stretch your legs out when applicable.
There is bus service to the park, but I didn’t see any buses go by the stadium. Check the local schedules before counting on the buses.
Return on Investment 3
An adult ticket is $14, a general admission ticket is $12, children (4-12) and military are $6, and children under 3 are free. Parking is free, and concessions are reasonably priced. A few things to keep in mind: Thursdays have Thirsty Thursdays where beer is cheaper.
Extras 3
The park gets an extra point for having the leagues’ team names and logos on the support poles on the concourse.
The Horseshoe sandwich is quite delicious and worth getting for just about $11 during the game.
A third point added because in the 5th inning, the general manager throws out cans of beer to fans.
Final Thoughts
The ballpark is not the most modern, but it is a nice historical park you should see, especially before the new renovations. Attending a Springfield Lucky Horseshoes game at Robin Roberts Stadium is both an economical and relaxing way to enjoy baseball in the Prospect League. It is a good old-fashioned ballpark that many will enjoy for the pure aspect of watching the game.
