Growth, spectroscopic properties, and laser performance of Yb:SrF(2) crystals have been investigated. In spatial multimode operation of a diode-pumped Yb:SrF(2) laser a slope efficiency of 46% was measured. 180W output power with high beam quality at a pulse duration of 1.5ms was achieved by installing a mode cleaning aperture. A maximum average output power of 270mW and a tuning range of 73nm was observed.