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38-769: The ballpark, originally known as City Island Ball Park, opened in 1914. It consisted of a baseball field and a set of wooden bleachers. The present day grandstand and press box were built in 1962. It is the home of the Daytona Tortugas and the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats . The Daytona Tortugas were founded in 1993. They have won six Florida State League championships, 1994, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2011, and 2013. The Bethune–Cookman Wildcats have also achieved recent success, including six consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball championships from 1999 to 2004, and seven more in 2006–2012. Daytona Beach and

76-800: A Multiple Property Submission to the National Register. On May 12, 2018, the stadium hosted a concert by rapper Nelly with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Juvenile as the opening acts. Daytona Tortugas The Daytona Tortugas are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds . They are located in Daytona Beach, Florida , and play their home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark . Opened in 1914,

114-1033: A baseball capacity of about 11,000 and is located across Dale Mabry Highway from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' home of Raymond James Stadium . The facility has an adjacent parking lot that is sufficient for most minor league crowds, and a pedestrian bridge allows for spring training attendees to park at the football stadium's much larger parking area and safely cross the busy highway to Steinbrenner Field. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches [REDACTED] 7-day injured list * On New York Yankees 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated November 18, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB  •  Florida State League → New York Yankees minor league players Note : Years indicate service time with

152-680: A deal with the city of Tampa, the Tampa Sports Authority agreed to publicly finance a new ballpark for the New York Yankees to use during spring training and the Tampa Yankees to use during the summer. Legends Field has the same dimensions as Yankee Stadium and includes some design elements of the previous ballpark in the Bronx. The Tampa Yankees played their first two seasons (1994 and 1995) at Red McEwen Field on

190-604: A double-header against the Palm Beach Cardinals . The game was moved this time to benefit a local charity in DeLand, as well as provide another opportunity to showcase the Daytona Cubs to fans in DeLand. The team's color scheme consists of blue and green. Jerseys and pants for home games are made of white fabric with green trim, while those for road games are made of gray fabric with blue trim. On home jerseys,

228-791: A home game to Melching Field at Conrad Park , located in nearby DeLand . This ballpark is the home of the Stetson University Hatters baseball team. Kobritz's goal was to generate some fan interest in the Cubs, in the western part of Volusia County . The game (vs. the St. Petersburg Devil Rays ) was played on June 26, 1999. In August 2004, the D-Cubs had to move several games to Melching Field, due to damage to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, caused by Hurricane Charley . The Cubs paid another visit to Melching Field on June 20, 2007, when they played

266-472: A new name with a "local angle" in 2015. They chose the name "Tortugas", Spanish for "turtles". On June 3, 2015, Big Game Florida, LLC, headed by Andy Rayburn, sold the team to Tortugas Baseball Club, LLC, headed by Reese Smith III with partners Bob Fregolle and Rick French. Smith plans to keep the team in Daytona. In conjunction with Major League Baseball 's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021,

304-647: A professional baseball team or venue. In 1994, the New York Yankees established a new Class A-Advanced FSL team and placed them in Tampa, replacing their previous Class-A Advanced affiliate, the Prince William Cannons . After operating as the Tampa Yankees for 24 seasons, the club was rebranded as the Tarpons in 2018, reviving the name of Tampa's longest-lasting minor league ballclub. For

342-430: Is a Daytona Tortugas logo on the right shoulder. Numbers, in white surrounded by blue, are sewn on the back in block characters. The official home and road caps were green with Daytona Tortugas logo centered on the front. The batting practice/alternate caps are blue in color, with a white front and blue brim. The alternate Shelldon head logo is in the center of the cap. A green belt is typically worn. From 1993 to 2014 as

380-619: The Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees . They are located in Tampa, Florida . The Tarpons play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field , which is also the spring training home of the New York Yankees and incorporates design elements from old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx , including identical field dimensions. They competed at the Class A-Advanced level from 1994 to 2020 before being reclassified Low Single-A in 2021. Since their inception,

418-729: The Sarasota White Sox , the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox who left Daytona Beach five years earlier. After the 2014 season, the Cubs ended their affiliation with Daytona, and signed a new contract with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League . Daytona reached an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2014 season, and announced the team would be rebranded with

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456-761: The 2021 season, the FSL was reconfigured as a Low-A circuit, and the Florida State League name was retired, with the circuit being called the Low-A Southeast . In 2022, the Low-A Southeast became known as the Florida State League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit. On January 9, 2022, the Yankees announced that Rachel Balkovec has been hired to manage

494-663: The Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox . In September 1987, the White Sox decided to move their Class A affiliate to Sarasota . This left Daytona without a major league player development contract, resulting in the Admirals' owner selling the team to the New York Mets . The Mets moved the team to Port St. Lucie to become the St. Lucie Mets . Daytona did not have professional baseball for five years after

532-523: The Cubs, the team's color scheme consisted of red, white, and blue, the same colors used by the Chicago Cubs . The uniforms of the Daytona Cubs were descendants of the Chicago Cubs' uniforms. Jerseys and pants for home games were made of white fabric with blue pinstripes, while those for road games were made of gray fabric with blue pinstripes. On home jerseys, the Chicago Cubs logo was located on

570-653: The Florida State League Many Daytona players have advanced to play in the major leagues. Thirteen men have managed Daytona baseball teams since the franchise's inception in 1993. Six managers have guided the team to win the FSL Championship: Dave Trembley (1995), Richie Zisk (2000), Steve McFarland (2004), Jody Davis (2008), Buddy Bailey (2011), and Dave Keller (2013). Trembley won 290 games from 1995 to 1996 and 2001 to 2002, placing him first on

608-400: The Tarpons. She is the first woman to manage a minor league team affiliated with Major League Baseball. Notable major league players to once play for the Tampa Yankees / Tarpons include Aaron Judge , Derek Jeter , Rubén Rivera , Mariano Rivera , David Robertson , Joba Chamberlain , Ian Kennedy , Phil Hughes , Ramiro Mendoza , Tim Raines , Eric Milton , and Luis Sojo . As part of

646-783: The Tortugas were organized into the Low-A Southeast at the Low-A classification, though they remained affiliated with the Reds. In 2022, the Low-A Southeast became known as the Florida State League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit. The Daytona Tortugas' current, and only, ballpark is Jackie Robinson Ballpark . The venue has experienced several expansions and renovations since its completion in 1914, and currently seats 4,200 spectators. In 1999, Daytona Cubs' owner and General Manager Jordan Kobritz decided to move

684-415: The all-time wins list for Daytona managers. Having managed the team for 545 games, he is also the longest-tenured manager in team history. The manager with the highest winning percentage over a full season or more is Steve McFarland (.556). Conversely, the lowest winning percentage over a season or more is .429 by the team's first manager, Bill Hays . Buddy Bailey managed his first Daytona game in 2006,

722-517: The campus of the University of South Florida while their permanent home was under construction. In 1996, the New York Yankees held spring training at newly completed Legends Field, moving from their long-time spring facilities at Fort Lauderdale , and the Tampa Yankees played at the new ballpark that summer. In 2008, Legends Field was renamed in honor of ailing long-time Yankees owner George Steinbrenner , who lived in Tampa. Steinbrenner Field has

760-477: The club has won five league championships , in 1994, 2001, 2004, 2009, and 2010. The club was established in 1994 as the Tampa Yankees and played for 24 seasons under that name. Before the 2018 season, the team was rebranded as the "Tampa Tarpons", reviving a name that had been used by an earlier franchise in the FSL for over 30 years. Tampa has a long history of amateur and organized baseball, with

798-426: The community and is Shelldon's girlfriend. She debuted as the second team mascot in 2018. Prior to becoming the Tortugas, the Daytona Cubs originally used a version of the Chicago Cubs emblem. In 1994, the Cubs hired Benedict Advertising, a local marketing firm, to develop a new logo. Benedict's design department created a bear cub wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap. As a mascot, Cubby first appeared on

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836-581: The field on May 27, 1994. He had brown fur and wore the same style of uniform as the team, but wearing his hat backwards. Justin Rocke, the Tortugas Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, provided the play-by-play coverage until leaving in the 2023 Season. On April 1, 2023, Brennan Mense took over the role of Tortugas Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, and provides the play-by-play coverage currently. Local newspaper coverage of

874-472: The first spring training held in the city in 1913 and the Tampa Smokers founded as charter members of the FSL in 1919. In anticipation of a potential Major League Baseball expansion team, the original Tampa Tarpons of the FSL relocated in 1988 and Al Lopez Field was demolished soon thereafter. However, the expected franchise was eventually awarded to nearby St. Petersburg , leaving Tampa without

912-515: The game, which was played on March 17, 1946. This contributed to Robinson breaking Major League Baseball 's color barrier the following year when he joined the Dodgers. The refusal by Jacksonville, previously the Dodgers' spring training home, led the team to host spring training in Daytona in 1947 and build Dodgertown in Vero Beach for the 1948 season. A statue of Robinson is now located at

950-510: The left chest, and a Daytona Cubs logo was located on the left sleeve. On road jerseys, the word "Daytona" was written across the chest in red script, and a Daytona Cubs logo was present on the left shoulder. The player's number was written on the back in large blue characters surrounded by red. Blue T-shirts of varying sleeve lengths were worn underneath the jerseys. The team's batting practice uniforms, which doubled as alternate uniforms, were made of light blue fabric with white pinstripes. "Daytona"

988-532: The minor league franchise, wanted the team to play in Daytona Beach instead. Negotiations to bring the Cubs to Daytona Beach went on for a couple of months and were completed just in time to start the new season. The Daytona Cubs opened their first season on the road, sweeping the Vero Beach Dodgers , two games to zero. The home opener was scheduled for April 12. Jackie Robinson Ballpark

1026-557: The move. Prior to 1993, the Chicago Cubs were affiliated with the Winston Salem Warthogs , a Class A team that played in the Carolina League . At the end of the 1992 season, the Cubs decided to move their Class A affiliate to Florida. The Florida State League originally assigned the transplanted Cubs team to play at Baseball City Stadium in Davenport . However, Jordan Kobritz, the new owner and general manager of

1064-553: The park seats 4,200 people. The club was previously known as the Daytona Cubs from 1993 to 2014 when they were an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs . The team has won six Florida State League championships : in 1995, 2000, 2004 (co-champions with the Tampa Yankees ), 2008, 2011, and 2013. The last Florida State League (FSL) baseball team to play in Daytona Beach, was known as the Daytona Beach Admirals ,

1102-427: The reward for superior play is to be taken away from Daytona and sent up to a higher farm team. Shelldon has been an adequate substitute to represent the team to the public and can constantly be seen tumbling, breakdancing, and generating fun around Daytona. Shelldon was also named the #1 Florida State League Mascot by The Athletic. He is also joined by Shelly, a female turtle who supports the Tortugas' involvement in

1140-708: The south entrance to the ballpark. The ballpark was previously the home field of the Daytona Beach Islanders (1920–1924, 1936–1941, 1946–1966, 1977, 1985–1986), Daytona Beach Dodgers (1968–1973), and Daytona Beach Astros (1978–1984). The major league Montreal Expos conducted their spring training at the park from 1973 to 1980. As of the 2021 season, Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the oldest active ballpark in Minor League Baseball . The stadium sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Donna in 1960. A $ 2 million historic renovation project

1178-647: The stadium were the first Florida city to allow Jackie Robinson to play during the 1946 season's spring training . Robinson had been signed to play for the Triple-A Montreal Royals who held spring training in Florida with Brooklyn Dodgers . Both Jacksonville and Sanford locked their stadiums to the Royals and forced the cancellation of scheduled exhibition games due to local ordinances which prohibited "mixed" athletics. Daytona Beach permitted

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1216-692: The team is provided by The Daytona Beach News-Journal . Five Daytona players have hit for the cycle to date: Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches 60-day injured list [REDACTED] 7-day injured list * On Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated August 31, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB  •  Florida State League → Cincinnati Reds minor league players Some Daytona players have distinguished themselves in

1254-448: The team's Goodwill Ambassador, visiting local schools and charity events when he is not performing at home games. Shelldon is a green and white sea turtle with a blue shell on his back, dark green spots, and an occasional backwards cap. He sports his white Tortuga jersey almost daily but changes into elaborate costumes for on-field skits and performances. Daytona Tortuga fans have learned to not get attached to any particular players, since

1292-408: The word "Tortugas" is scripted across the chest in green. On road jerseys, the word "Daytona" is written across the chest in blue script. The player's number is written on the back in large green characters surrounded by blue. The team's batting practice uniforms, which double as alternate uniforms, are made of green fabric. "Tortugas" is written across the chest in white script, trimmed in blue. There

1330-629: Was accelerated after Hurricane Floyd ripped off the metal roofs over the seating in 1999. In 2004, the ballpark suffered moderate damage during Hurricane Charley , causing several home games to be moved to Melching Field at Conrad Park in nearby DeLand . On October 22, 1998, the stadium was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places . This property is part of the Daytona Beach Multiple Property Submission ,

1368-480: Was replaced as manager following the season but returned to Daytona in 2009. Eli Marrero managed the Tortugas from 2015 to 2017. Former shortstop Ricky Gutierrez, who won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and was the Tortugas bench coach in 2017, was named the team's full-time manager for the 2018 season. 2022 Tampa Yankees The Tampa Tarpons are a Minor League Baseball team of

1406-521: Was sold out on opening night. Chelsea Clinton , President Clinton 's daughter, was invited to Daytona to throw the opening pitch. The young Ms. Clinton could not attend due to a family medical emergency, and Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and FSL President Chuck Murphy threw the ceremonial opening pitches instead. The Cubs' public address announcer led fans to sing " Go, Cubs, Go ", although with slightly altered lyrics (substituting "Daytona" for "Chicago"). The Daytona Cubs won their home opener 5–2 against

1444-531: Was written across the chest in red script. There was a Daytona Cubs logo on the left shoulder. Numbers, in blue surrounded by red, were sewn on the back in block characters. The official home and road caps were blue with either the Chicago Cubs or Daytona Cubs logo centered on the front. A blue belt was worn on all the different uniforms along with blue ankle-length socks. The team's mascot is an anthropomorphic turtle ("Tortuga") named Shelldon. Since his first season in 2015, "Daytona's favorite party animal" acts as

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