24th Annual Rickwood Classic Slated for June 8th

PRESS RELEASE – The Birmingham Barons and Friends of Rickwood welcome fans back to legendary Rickwood Field for the 24th Annual Rickwood Classic presented by Levy’s Fine Jewelry, Stewart Lubricants and Service Company, and Drummond Company, Inc.

Lou Piniella, Coal Barons Highlight 23rd Annual Rickwood Classic Tomorrow

PRESS RELEASE – This annual game is set for Wednesday, May 29th at 12:30 pm and will celebrate the beginning of baseball at Rickwood Field. The game will feature the Birmingham Barons against the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. Former veteran MLB player and Manager “Sweet Lou” Piniella will be the special guest of honor and will be available for autographs during the game.

Rickwood Classic Returns Today

The Rickwood Classic takes place on Wednesday, May 30, at Rickwood Field — America’s oldest baseball park, as the Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Southern League) play host to the Chattanooga Lookouts starting at 12:30 p.m.  The Barons will don uniforms from “Fabulous Fifties” when the club was affiliated with the New York Yankees from 1953 – 1956.  The Lookouts will also wear period unis.  View 2018 Rickwood Classic Fan Guide here.

 

Rickwood Classic Returns

The Rickwood Classic is back at historic Rickwood Field for the 2018 game to be held on Wednesday, May 30.  The Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Southern League) and the Friends of Rickwood have announced that the 22nd annual game is back at the venue after being cancelled last year due to structural repair issues to the 108-year old ballpark.  Read more here.

Rickwood Field Expected to Reopen in Time for 2018 Rickwood Classic

Emergency structural repairs to historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham (AL) are expected to start soon and be completed in time for the annual Rickwood Classic in May.  The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved awarding a $1 million contract to JJ Morley Enterprises Inc. to complete structural work under the grand stand of the field.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the heads up.

Repairs Underway for America’s Oldest Ballpark, Fundraising Continues

America’s oldest ballpark is getting some much-needed repairs.  The city of Birmingham (AL), which owns Rickwood Field, was forced to close the ballpark in April for structural repairs to the grandstands.  Construction for restoring the ballpark has already begun with hopes of re-opening in 2018. Read more here.  Read more about the fundraising campaign here.

Rickwood Field Closes for Emergency Repairs, Rickwood Classic Moved

Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in America and one of only two original Negro League baseball stadiums still standing, has been closed for emergency repairs.  According the Rickwood Facebook page:

“Based on preliminary inspections by the City of Birmingham engineers, structural shoring and repair will be necessary before Rickwood will be ready to host another event. The City has declared the need for repairs and emergency situation and work will begin immediately. The City has budgeted $450,000 in phase 2 bond funds to being the work.”).

As a result, the annual Rickwood Classic scheduled for May 31 has been moved to Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Southern League).  Read more here.

Happy Birthday to America’s Oldest Ballpark!

Rickwood Field in Birmingham (AL) turned 105 on Tuesday.  The historic stadium is home of the annual Rickwood Classic, which should be on every baseball fan’s bucket list, and the former home of the Birmingham Barons (Double-A, Southern League).  Read more here.  Learn more about the ballpark by going to Rickwood.com.

Darryl Strawberry to Headline 2015 Rickwood Classic

PRESS RELEASE – The Birmingham Barons and Friends of Rickwood are happy to welcome baseball fans back to historic Rickwood Field for the 20th Annual Rickwood Classic presented by State Farm Insurance in 2015. Set for Wednesday, May 27th, the classic celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first throwback game, played in 1996, and turns back the clock to the 1948 season.

Sunday’s ‘Beer for Baseball’ Event to Benefit Historic Rickwood Field

Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham (AL) his hosting a “Beer for Baseball” event Sunday, September 7, to benefit 104-year-old Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in America.  Admission is $10.  Learn more here.  Visit Friends of Rickwood Field here.  Coincidentally, we visited Rickwood Field and Avondale Brewing just a week ago.  View our photos here.  View our panoramic video inside Rickwood here.  Thanks to Rickwood caretakers David Brewer and Alvin Harris for taking the time to show us around!

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Rickwood Field (Birmingham, AL)

Eric and Wendy Pastore from DigitalBallparks.com visit historic Rickwood Field, former home of the Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern Association/ League), Birmingham Black Barons (Negro Leagues), and current home of the annual Rickwood Classic.  Read more and view huge photo gallery here.  Visit the Friends of Rickwood website here.

Outfield Entertainment Center Unveiled Tonight, Rickwood Classic Tomorrow

The Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern League) will unveil their new Outfield Entertainment Area at Regions Field Tuesday night.  Read more here.  The team will then take a break from the confines of their fancy new ballpark to play in the 18th annual Rickwood Classic at Rickwood Field on Wednesday afternoon.  Read more here.

Barons to Honor 1948 Black Barons at 18th Rickwood Classic

PRESS RELEASE – The Birmingham Barons and Friends of Rickwood announced details Thursday for the 18th Annual Rickwood Classic presented by State Farm Insurance. Set for Wednesday, May 29, the classic will celebrate the legendary 1948 Birmingham Black Barons. The 12:30 p.m. contest will showcase the Birmingham Barons against the Tennessee Smokies

Rickwood Classic Today at 12:30

The Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern League) take on the Chattanooga Lookouts today in the 17th Annual Rickwood Classic at Rickwood Field — America’s oldest baseball park.  The 12:30 p.m. contest will celebrate Wartime Baseball.  The Barons will don uniforms from the early 1940s when they were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds.  The Lookouts will also wear period uniforms.  Read more here.

America’s Oldest Ballpark: Bisbee or Birmingham?

There is a Hatfields and McCoys-style battle a brewin’ (okay, that’s a little overstated) between the Friends of Warren Ballpark in Bisbee (AZ) and the Friends of Rickwood Field in Birmingham (AL) over which city has the nation’s oldest ballpark.  Depending on the criteria used, both could probably lay claim to the title.  We’re just happy that these historic facilities have

Rickwood to Reach Century Milestone

Rickwood Field in Birmingham (AL) will turn 100 years old on Wednesday.  The inaugural opening day for the historic stadium was clear back on August 18, 1910.  Read more here.

A New Book About Historic Rickwood Field

Biographer Allen Barra takes a close look at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham (AL) in his new book Rickwood Field: A Century in America’s Oldest Ballpark.  Read more here.