SL1 Birmingham Barons

Rickwood Field, a true testament in time

by Marc Viquez
Published on May 18, 2005 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons


I think I am somewhat envious of the city of Birmingham, Alabama and it is not for the warm temperatures in February, burgers from Krystal's or the Southern hospitality. It is something else that I saw when I was there recently, Rickwood Field. The oldest ballpark in the country and it is still be used for baseball.

There it was shining as if it was opening day in 1910. I had seen pictures of the ballpark, but nothing could describe what it was like to actually be sitting in front of the ballpark. I honestly did not think I was going to be able to get inside, but I had stumbled up the first day of high school baseball in Birmingham. I guess I can throw away my grappling hook I had in the trunk of my car.

It was just about 5 o'clock PM when I drove though the neighborhood when I saw the stadium's lights glaring in the distance. They helped me lead the rest of the way and there I was in front of all its 95-years of baseball grandeur. I entered inside he park's fencing and up the ramp to the main concourse. You can say that I passed through time as I glance brilliantly around the stands and playing field.

I am not sure if Rick Woodward would think his ballpark that he built would still be housing baseball in the 21st century, but the city has been using Rickwood Field for a multiple of usage since the Birmingham Barons left for Hoover Metropolitan Stadium after the 1987 season. In fact the Barons play in the Rickwood Classic each year at the ballpark. In between the stadium hosts high school baseball, over 30 and 40 leagues, Police Leagues and a slew of amateur leagues throughout the season.

So there I was marveling at the vintage signage on the outfield walls, the covered grandstand seating, old-fashion scoreboard in centerfield, the pillars that hold up the roof and lights that adorn the top of the ballpark. It was an experience no other ballpark has ever given me before.

All of this could not have been made possible if it was not for the volunteer organization Friends of Rickwood who have been working the past 12-years in raising funds for preserving the ballpark. There effort has helped add the centerfield scoreboard, reinstate the press box gazebo to its 1910 form, replace the roof and add much needed touchups throughout the ballpark. While most cities razed their old ballparks for parking lots and apartments, and some turned them into midget auto racing tracks, Rickwood Field is still being used for its intended purpose.

I am not sure what two high schools were playing that night and I am sure most of the players may not even know they are playing in the oldest ballpark, but nothing felt better at that moment than sitting back in the warm February air and enjoying the game. It could have been late April or May for all I was concerned.

What is Rickwood Field's brilliance is that it is a living testament to what was occurring in baseball during that area. In 1909 Shibe Park in Philadelphia opened up and ushered in a new approach in the design for baseball parks. Shibe Park was built out of steel and concrete and it replaced the old wooden fields that were small and fire friendly. Within the next few years of Shibe Park opening the likes of Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Fenway Park, Navin Field (Tiger Stadium) and Ebbets Field debuted.

Rickwood Field was built on the same principle, in fact Philadelphia A's owner/manager Connie Mack, who helped design Shibe Park, helped layout the field at Rickwood. Rickwood would feature a fancy entrance, covered grandstands, large scoreboards and robust construction. All of the parks built in the 1910's, except for Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago, had been knocked down years ago. Shibe Park itself was left in ruins for six-years before being razed 29-years-ago.

Rickwood Field might have suffered the same faith, but it stands as a memento of the ballgames past. Its green exterior and narrow concourse are a reminder of what the game was becoming almost 100-years-ago. We can read all we want about baseball in the early 20th century, but to actually have a ballpark that was used for baseball is something else. When we have the habit of getting rid of what is old, Rickwood Field still remains the same as it did way back when.

Sans the lights.

Check out the Birmingham Barons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from May 18, 2005


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central