Fans of the famed comic strip "Beetle Bailey" should include this 2,212-acre Missouri Department of Conservation area on their travel schedule. This site was the location of Camp Crowder Army Base during World War II and it was this site that gave cartoonist Mort Walker the inspiration for "Camp Swampy," the mythical military base that figures prominently in the cartoon strip. This link to the comic strip is honored in the Crowder Area's "Mort Walker Trail," an 11-mile hiking/bicycling/horse trail. Hunting for all major game species is permitted in season. Primitive camping (no amenities provided) is permitted on the area, except for seasonal closures for some hunting activities (call 417-451-4158 for details). Dogs must be leashed or confined when not being used for training or hunting purposes. There are no fishable streams or ponds on the area. There is an unmanned shooting range and an archery range on the area.
The Springfield Cardinals are the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are one of eight teams in the Texas League, along with the Arkansas Travelers, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Tulsa Drillers, the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Midland RockHounds and the San Antonio Missions.
Home games are played at Hammons Field. Individual game tickets can be purchased by calling 417-863-2143, at the ticket office at Hammons Field or online by visiting our website. Ticket prices range from $6 to $24, depending on seat location. Season tickets and group tickets are available.
When the Cardinals play on Saturdays and Sundays, the ticket office opens at 10 a.m. On game days, the ticket office remains open through game time.
The Hammons Field gates open one hour prior to game time.