An Interview with Ballpark Designer Janet Marie Smith

Ballpark designer Janet Marie Smith is known for her work on the design and construction of Camden Yards, her role senior vice president of planning and development for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and overseeing the preservation and expansion of Fenway Park from 2002-2009.  Now she’s working along side former Boston Red Sox executive Larry Lucchino planning the site for the future Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

Camden Yards Ranked #1 for 2016

For the third consecutive year, Oriole Park at Camden Yards was ranked No. 1 MLB Ballpark Experience by Stadium Journey.  Read more here.

Janet Smith on San Antonio Ballpark: Take Time, Do It Right

If San Antonio leaders want to hit one out of the park with a proposed downtown stadium, they first need to determine what type of development they want around such a new stadium, and how much investment they can expect to attract to a given site, so says big league architect and urban planner Janet Smith.  Read more here.

Team and State Officials Begin to Explore Camden Upgrades

The Baltimore Orioles are considering updates to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the 23-year-old stadium still celebrated for its retro charm and historic B&O Warehouse as the right field backdrop.  Read more here.

In an Unprecedented Move, Orioles Will Play in Empty Ballpark Today

With Baltimore under a nighttime curfew and police and National Guard troops deployed across the city after a night of riots, the Baltimore Orioles will close the gates to Oriole Park at Camden yards to the public for its game Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.  Read more here.

Protest Rally Forces Orioles to Close Gates to Keep Fans Safe

The Baltimore Orioles closed the gates at Oriole Park late Saturday night and forced fans to remain inside for their own safety as violent protesters continued to menace the area around the ballpark, causing both consternation and understanding in the stadium concourses.  Read more here.

Home of Martha’s Vineyard Sharks Getting Makeover

The home for the summer collegiate Martha’s Vineyard Sharks (Futures Collegiate Baseball League) is getting a few upgrades before the season begins in June, including installation of lights and stadium-style seating from Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.  Read more here.

Ripken to Sell 2131 Truck

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. has announced that he will be auctioning off the 1994 Chevy Suburban he drove for several years during his legendary career.  The vehicle was driven by Ripken to Camden Yards the nights he tied and broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played on September 5 and 6, 1995. Ripken also drove the Suburban to Baltimore Orioles post-season

Dodgers Tap Janet Marie Smith to Oversee Stadium Renovations

Janet Marie Smith got it done in Baltimore and Boston, and now the Los Angeles Dodgers have hired her to oversee the multiyear renovation of Dodger Stadium that is set to begin this winter.  The Dodgers are looking to add amenities without destroying the retro 1950s look and feel of the park.  Read more here and here.

Camden Yards at 20…and Beyond

My oh my, has time flown by.  Today marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards, as the Baltimore Orioles kickoff the 2012 season against the Minnesota Twins at 3:05 p.m Eastern.  With a few cool fan-friendly ballpark improvements already in the bag for 2012, the Baltimore Sun takes a timely look at the future for the once trend-setting stadium.  Our friend Joe Mock (BaseballParks.com) is quoted extensively in the story.  Read more here.  View video clip of improvements here.

Changes Coming to Camden Yards for 20th Anniversary Season

The Baltimore Orioles have released a rendering of some of the changes coming to Camden Yards in time for the ballpark’s 20th anniversary season, including a more fan-friendly short porch in right field, a new bar and raised seating area behind center field, and six new statues honoring Oriole greats Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray

Orioles Search for New Voice

After 14 seasons, Dave McGowan stepped down as the public address announcer for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.  A competition that began with 670 hopefuls is now down to 25 semi-finalists.  Read more here

Orioles Announce Oriole Park Improvements

PRESS RELEASE – As part of a continued commitment to honor the proud history of the franchise, and in conjunction with efforts to improve the design aesthetic and functionality of the ballpark and the bullpen picnic grove in center field, the Orioles today announced plans to enhance the fan experience at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for 2012, highlighted by a newly renovated area to honor

Brooks Robinson Statue Unveiled

A 9-foot-tall, more than 1,500-lb. bronze statue of Baltimore Orioles great and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson wearing a gold glove was unveiled on Saturday near the left field entrance to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  Read more and view statue here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Camden Yards: 20 Influential Seasons (+ Our 2010 Slideshow)

Has it really been 20 season since that Camden Yards, home of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles, opened for business?  Ryan Loy from The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA) takes a look at the now-seasoned stadium and its architectural influences across the industry.

After Nearly Two Decades, Time for a Camden Yards Makeover

The Baltimore Orioles have brought back Janet Marie Smith, the architect/urban planner largely credited with developing the new retro- style ballpark mimicked around MLB and the minors, to give Camden Yards a sprucing up.  It is hard to believe that Camden Yards made its debut almost 2o years ago in 1992.  Read more here.

A Camden Yards Makeover is on the Way

The Baltimore Orioles have issued an RFP to find the right partner firm to develop and execute a plan to improve the game-day experience for fans, including ballpark upgrades and a concessions overhaul.  Read more here.

The Camdenization of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

Janet Marie Smith, the vice president of planning and development for the Baltimore Orioles, is handling the design responsibilities for the $31.2 million rebuild of Ed Smith Stadium that the Orioles are expected to occupy in 2011.  As many of you know, Smith built an impressive resume for her work with Camden Yards and Fenway Park.  Read more here.