Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel

Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel
El paraíso del beisbol (The paradise of baseball)

Estadio Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel
Location Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela
Coordinates 10°12′21″N 64°37′51″W / 10.205808°N 64.630934°WCoordinates: 10°12′21″N 64°37′51″W / 10.205808°N 64.630934°W
Capacity 18,000
Field size
  • Left field - 325 ft (99 m)
  • Center Field - 400 ft (120 m)
  • Right field - 325 ft (99 m)
Surface 1991-2010 Grass
2010-present Artificial turf
Construction
Opened 1991
Renovated 2010
Tenants

Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel is a baseball stadium based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela, which serves as home for the Caribes de Anzoátegui of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

The stadium can seat 18,000 people and was originally built in 1959 under the name of Estadio Municipal de Puerto La Cruz. From 1956 through 1964, the facility served as the home for the Indios de Oriente and Estrellas Orientales clubs.

Then, it was rebuilt and opened in 1991, being created exclusively for professional baseball, and was renamed after former major league baseball player, Alfonso ′′Chico′′ Carrasquel.

Eventually, it was used as a multi-purpose stadium in 2006 and 2007 by hosting soccer games for the local team Deportivo Anzoátegui.

Through its history, the stadium has hosted two Caribbean Series editions in 1994 and 1998.

New renovation

In 2010, after many talks and relocation threats, the government of Anzoátegui state started a renovation which included structural changes, a parking lot, brand new lighting kits, and artificial turf which features dirt around the bases and pitcher's mound, but dirt colored turf infield and base paths.

Since then, lounges and other amenities have also been added. In 2013, the stadium unveiled a large LED video display board and a new clubhouse.

First baseball game after renovation
The stadium from the distance