SPRINGFIELD, MO — A minor league baseball stadium in Springfield, MO, Hammons Field has a capacity of 8,000, plus approximately 2,500 in general admission seating. Originally opened in April 2004, it’s the home to the Springfield Cardinals, the Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the Missouri State University Bears.
In February 2023, the city of Springfield purchased Hammons Field and its surrounding parking lots for $12 million with plans to spend $4 million on stadium improvements. Earlier this year, integrator Paragon 360 was contracted for the design and installation of new stadium-wide audio systems that were part of the facility upgrade plans.
A Complete Sonic Overhaul
Paragon had designed and installed the original audio systems in the stadium when it opened in 2004, which then lasted nearly 22 years. The new audio systems, totaling a half a million dollars, included the main stadium seating area, the Red Bird Roost, the main concourse, entrances, control rooms, and all suites. The outdoor installation was scheduled over the winter, so systems would be ready for opening day in early April.
Paragon’s design called for Eastern Acoustic Works MKD1296 3-way full-range loudspeakers and Fulcrum CS118 cardioid subwoofers for the main seating area. The upper deck, or Red Bird Roost area, included EAW MKC120 speakers for the deck area and EAW MKC80 for the balcony seats. Concourse areas were covered with Community R.15COAX while EAW MKC120 were deployed for entrances. For the new third floor suites, QSC AD-C6T ceiling speakers were installed with EAW MKC80 for the outdoor seating areas.
In addition, Shure Axient Digital Quad wireless receivers and Shure Axient handheld wireless transmitters with Nexadyne mic elements were part of the package. The full system is processed and controlled with Q-SYS. Main processing uses Q-SYS core with networked QSC 4, 8 channel amplifiers and Q-SYS touchscreen for user control.
The Verdict?
Springfield Cardinals’ production manager Tysen Hathcock said, “the Cardinals wanted Paragon due to their experience in this field and being one of the best companies in the area for live sound installation.” Paragon 360 proudly supported the local community with the project that was ready for opening day of the 2025 season.
For more info about Paragon 360, visit: www.paragon360.com.
For more info on Eastern Acoustic Works, go to: www.eaw.com
