CHS Field

CHS Field is a professional baseball stadium located in the Lowertown district of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It serves as the home of the St. Paul Saints, an independent league team that joined Major League Baseball's Minor League Baseball system as the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins in 2021. The ballpark is noted for its intimate design and integration into the urban fabric of the historic neighborhood, offering views of the downtown Saint Paul skyline. It is named for CHS Inc., a national Fortune 500 agricultural cooperative based in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

History

The push for a new ballpark gained momentum in the early 2010s as the Saints sought to replace their longtime home at Midway Stadium. Key political figures, including Mayor of Saint Paul Chris Coleman and the Saint Paul City Council, championed the project, which was funded through a combination of state, city, and private contributions. Construction by Ryan Companies began in 2013 on a former Metropolitan Council wastewater facility site and a former Gillette manufacturing plant parcel. The stadium opened on May 21, 2015, with a game against the Lincoln Saltdogs, marking a new era for the franchise and catalyzing further development in Lowertown. The venue's opening coincided with the revitalization of the adjacent Union Depot and the arrival of the Metro Green Line.

Design and features

Designed by AECOM, the stadium incorporates architectural elements from the surrounding historic warehouse district, utilizing brick and exposed steel. Its asymmetrical field dimensions, with a short right-field porch near the Raymond Avenue ramp, create a unique playing environment. Notable fan amenities include a craft beer garden in left field, the "Sue the Pig" mascot pen, and a variety of local food vendors like Red Cow and Pizza Lucé. The Minnesota State Capitol and the Cathedral of Saint Paul are visible from the upper concourse. A prominent feature is the "City of Baseball" sculpture by artist Roger Brodin, honoring Saint Paul's rich baseball history, including figures from the Negro leagues.

Tenants and events

The primary tenant is the St. Paul Saints, who played in the American Association of Professional Baseball before their affiliation with the Minnesota Twins and International League. Beyond baseball, the stadium hosts a wide array of events, including concerts, community festivals, and the annual Minnesota State High School League baseball tournaments. It has also been a venue for international sports, hosting the USA Baseball collegiate national team and various amateur tournaments. The field's design and central location have made it a popular site for corporate outings, weddings, and film productions, significantly expanding its year-round use.

Transportation and access

The stadium is a cornerstone of Transit-oriented development in Saint Paul, with direct access to the Union Depot multimodal transit hub. It is served by the Metro Green Line light rail, with a station at the ballpark's doorstep, and numerous Metro Transit bus routes. For drivers, it is accessible from Interstate 35E and Interstate 94, with several nearby parking ramps and surface lots managed by the Saint Paul Port Authority. The Midtown Greenway and Bruce Vento Regional Trail provide connections for cyclists and pedestrians, linking the site to broader networks like the Mississippi River corridor.

In popular culture

The distinctive backdrop and urban setting have made it a filming location for several projects, including commercials and television series. It has been featured in broadcasts by Fox Sports North and Bally Sports North, as well as national programming on ESPN. The stadium and the St. Paul Saints' quirky brand are chronicled in the book *The Saint Paul Saints: Baseball in the Capital City* and have been the subject of features in publications like *The Athletic* and *Minnesota Monthly*. Its presence adds to the cultural landscape depicted in works about Minnesota sports, often mentioned alongside venues like Target Field and Xcel Energy Center.

Category:Baseball venues in Minnesota Category:Saint Paul, Minnesota Category:Sports venues completed in 2015