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Capital City Stadium

Coordinates: 33°59′0.7″N 81°01′42″W / 33.983528°N 81.02833°W / 33.983528; -81.02833
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Capital City Stadium
"The Cap"
Map
Address301 S. Assembly St.
LocationColumbia, South Carolina
Coordinates33°59′0.7″N 81°01′42″W / 33.983528°N 81.02833°W / 33.983528; -81.02833
Capacity6,000
Field sizeLeft field: 330 ft (100 m)
Center field: 400 ft (120 m)
Right field: 320 ft (98 m)
Construction
Opened1927 (1927)
Demolished2020 (planned)
Tenants
Capital City Bombers (SAL) 1993-2004

Columbia Blowfish (CPL) 2006-2014

Benedict College Tigers (SIAC) ?-2014?

Capital City Stadium is a stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Originally built in 1927, it is primarily used for baseball and was the home for more than 20 years of the Capital City Bombers. It is situated in the Olympia section, near the old Olympia Mill.

While playing at "The Cap" the Bombers enjoyed a rich history of success with numerous South Atlantic League Championships, including the memorable years of 1986, 1991, and 1998.

The stadium was rebuilt in 1991, but in 2005 lost its main tenant, the Bombers. The Coastal Plain League's Columbia Blowfish used the stadium from 2006 until their new stadium was opened in 2015. It had also been used for college baseball by the NCAA Division II Benedict College Tigers, but they left around the same time.[1][2] Hank Aaron played his last game as a minor league player at Capital City Stadium in 1953 before moving up to the Milwaukee Braves.[1]

In 1995, Capital City Stadium hosted a concert by Hootie & the Blowfish (with Greenville's Edwin McCain, Clemson's Cravin' Melon, and Cowboy Mouth). In 1999, there was the Rock 93.5 Fallout concert there with UK's Bush, Sponge, and Train.

On February 4, 2019, City of Columbia officials announced that the stadium would be torn down "within the next two months"[1] though it remained standing as of June 2019[2] and the demolition was still in the future as of September 2019.[3] A "closing day event" was announced in March 2020 for April 4, with demolition to follow.[4][5] The event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had not been rescheduled as of August 2020.[6][7] In October 2020, the Columbia City Council extended the deadline for developers to purchase the property until May 1, 2021, with demolition to follow.[8] These plans eventually fell through, reportedly "after more than a dozen extensions".[9]

The city issued a request for proposals on October 3, 2024, seeking plans to purchase the stadium from the city and redevelop it as a mixed-use project. The submission deadline was November 1.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ellis, Sarah (February 4, 2019). "Columbia baseball stadium where Hank Aaron played to be torn down after 92 years". The State. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019. Capital City Stadium is set to be torn down within the next two months after five years of sitting stoic and unused
  2. ^ a b Wilkinson, Jeff (June 4, 2019). "Columbia can party one more time at Capital City Stadium before it's torn down". The State. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2019. Capital City Stadium has stood unused for the past five years
  3. ^ Fitts, Mike (September 10, 2019). "When USC football isn't playing, trucks and students keep area around stadium busy". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 22, 2019. The long-vacant Capital City Stadium on Assembly Street would be demolished ...
  4. ^ Spedden, Zach (March 6, 2020). "Capital City Stadium Closing Day Event Set for April 4". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Ellis, Sarah (March 6, 2020). "Farewell planned for Capital City Stadium before demolition". The State. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Jeff; Daprile, Lucas; Ellis, Sarah; Feit, Noah; Marchant, Bristow (March 12, 2020). "COVID-19 in SC: here's what's canceled in the Midlands". The State. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Postponed - Closing Day at Capital City Stadium". Historic Columbia. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Trainor, Chris (October 6, 2020). "Columbia extends Capital City Stadium redevelopment plans for a 14th time". The Post and Courier. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Hughes, Morgan (October 15, 2024). "What should be done with Capital City Stadium? Columbia is asking developers for ideas". The State. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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