Just like the city of Birmingham, Rickwood Field is known for having its own rich history. We’re traveling back in time to visit America’s oldest professional baseball park, still with its original structure, to examine its design and how it’s utilized today.
In the spring of 1910, construction began on Rickwood Field after industrialist Rick Woodward became the owner of Birmingham's minor league baseball team, the Birmingham Barons. On August 18, 1910, the city celebrated the ballpark’s Opening Day with over 10,000 attendees – the Barons went on to beat the Montgomery Climbers.
During the design process, Shibe Park and Forbes Field served as inspiration. Similar to Forbes Field, the grandstand near first base wrapped around to right field. Rickwood Field’s structure was made of concrete and steel, the first minor league ballpark to do so. It was also deemed a pitcher’s park, with its broad proportions making it challenging for players to hit home runs.
In 1920, the Black Barons, or the Birmingham Stars, of the Negro Southern League, became the second team to call Rickwood home. During the mid-1920s, updates were made to the ballpark such as covering the right field bleachers in order to shade fans. In 1928, visitors piled into the entryway through a new Spanish Mission-style facade. Rickwood also became one of the first ballparks to host night games when lights were installed in the 1930s. Other notable updates included adding a wooden outfield fence, covering the concrete one, and replacing the wooden seats with plastic ones in the late 70s.
It has been 113 years since Rickwood Field opened its doors and it still stands proudly to welcome fans and visitors year after year. It is because of efforts from groups like Friends of Rickwood that it has become a living museum. The almost 11,000-seat ballpark has been busy hosting tournaments and events like the Rickwood Classic, where the Barons return home for a game, and has even been featured in baseball scenes of several movies.
Next year, the 2024 Field of Dreams game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will take place here. Rickwood Field is just one example of the good that can come from preserving such historic landmarks. We can simultaneously look forward to its future while also keeping its roots alive – a true home run for our city.
References
Bennett, B. (2013, September 19). Rickwood Field – Baseball’s Time Capsule. Deadball Baseball. https://deadballbaseball.com/2013/09/rickwood-field-baseballs-time-capsule
History of Rickwood Field. (n.d.). Rickwood Field. rickwood.com/history-of-rickwood-field
Markusen, B. (n.d.). Rickwood Field Features Baseball’s Past And Present. National Baseball Hall of Fame. baseballhall.org/discover/rickwood-field-features-baseballs-past-and-present
Watkins, C. (n.d.). Rickwood Field (Birmingham). Society for American Baseball Research. sabr.org/bioproj/park/rickwood-field-birmingham