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Endangered Ballparks
San Francisco's Seals Stadium meets the
wrecking ball.
The economics of baseball are not kind to old ballparks. In the past, we had concession stands, ticket sales and rainchecks; today we have revenue streams, luxury boxes and CRM software. For many, old ballparks represent simpler times and a more egalitarian atmosphere; they also serve as direct links to the past, bridges to childhood memories of time spent as a child with parents and loved ones.
No wonder, then, that an old ballpark can stir some powerful memories. In an ever-changing world, an old ballpark is an island of stability and tranquility. There are few places that are the same as they were 20, 30 or 75 years ago. Your grandfather's Tiger Stadium is the same as your father's Tiger Stadium. Sadly, it's not your Tiger Stadium if it's torn down to make way for a Best Buy or a Home Depot. That's why this list was compiled: to stir public awareness and to perhaps make people realize that there are old ballparks worth saving.
Keep in mind, though, that not every old ballpark is worth saving. There will be few tears shed when the Metrodome is imploded -- the same way San Francisco residents never objected when the Giants moved to SBC Park. And we are not bothering to list Busch Stadium II (the current home of the St. Louis Cardinals) on the list because there's been no movement to keep the ballpark when the Cards move to Busch Stadium III next season.
This list was updated June 7, 2007, to reflect changes in the ballpark world. Interestingly, things are looking better now for many of the older ballparks on our list. In fact, we took the following ballparks off our list:
- The danger of Dodger Stadium being torn down was lessened when Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt committed to staying there as part of a refinancing deal. Still, we are leaving it on this list; the politics of Los Angeles are always shifting, and we can't help but think a real-estate developer like McCourt wouldn't consider redeveloping the valuable property in Chavez Ravine.
- Activists have persuaded Paterson (N.J.) school officials to preserve and renovate Hinchliffe Stadium, the former home of the New York Black Yankees of the Negro Leagues. While the plan is not finalized, it shows enough promise for us to move Hinchliffe down the list.
- The folks in Tacoma seem committed to saving Cheney Stadium.
- We took Greenville's Municipal Stadium off the list. It's now under lease to a group running youth baseball academies.
This is by no means a complete list of all endangered ballparks. To add your thoughts to this list, please send email to kevinreichard@ballparkwatch.com or join the discussions at Ballpark Digest Discussions.
1 (tie). Shea
Stadium/Yankee Stadium, New York City
It seems heresy to think
that the New York Yankees want to move from The House That
Ruth Built, but Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is
moving ahead with a plan for a new Yankee Stadium across the street from
the current one. And
while Shea Stadium isn't that old or historic -- in fact,
it's rather run down and unloved by the New York sporting
populace -- the New York Mets have a deal to move to a new
ballpark near the current one. Things
have progressed to the point to where it's a certainty both ballparks will
be torn down. In the case of Yankee Stadium, the teardown will be partial:
the playing field and first level of the grandstand will remain intact and
used for college and high-school games. In the case of Shea, it will be
totally torn down.
Chances that Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 100%
Yankee Stadium.
Shea Stadium.
3. Sarge Frye Field, University of South
Carolina
Sarge Frye Field
has been the home of the Gamecocks since 1977. It's a cramped ballpark,
which is why USC is building a new ballpark on the edge of campus. There
won't be a need for Sarge Frye once the new ballpark is done, but the
Gamecocks will be playing there at least through the 2008 college-baseball
season.
Chances that Sarge Frye Field will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 100%
Sarge Frye Field.
4. Old Orchard Park, Old Orchard Beach
The former home
of the Maine Guides (Class AAA; International League) never really struck
the fancy of Maine tourists, who were on the road to avoid crowds, not
embrace them in a ballpark. Today Old Orchard Park is choked with weeds as
city officials decide what to do with it. Really, the only issue is what
will be built after the ballpark is demolished, and the only reason this
isn't a sure lock is because city officials don't have a plan for
development on the site. A fire in July didn't help the chances for any
renovation.
Chances that Old Orchard Park will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 95%
5. Cooper
Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Yes, it's old, and there's a
lot of nostalgia surrounding the longtime home of the Columbus Clippers
(and before that the Columbus Jets). But with the relatively limited
facilities at Cooper, a new downtown ballpark is now inevitable, and we
don't see a use for Cooper Stadium once the Clippers move.
Chances that Cooper Stadium will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 92%
Cooper Stadium.
6. Tiger Stadium, Detroit
The handwriting was on the wall when the Detroit Tigers
moved to Comerica Park, and the only question is how long before the city
tears down Tiger Stadium. There have been some proposals to keep baseball
in Tiger Stadium -- the independent Northern League once proposed putting
a team there -- but the city wants to see a big-box retailer occupy the
Tiger Stadium site and has turned away any development proposal that could
reuse the historic ballpark. The city will probably need to tear down the
ballpark before any developer comes in; no one in Detroit wants to be
known as the company that tore down Tiger Stadium.
Chances that Tiger Stadium will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 90%
Tiger Stadium, shown in a 1950s postcard.
7. Siebert Field, University of Minnesota
Siebert Field,
the home of the Golden Gophers, is literally falling down. University
officials removed a set of bleachers down the first-base line because they
were unsafe, and a new ballpark is on the agenda of Coach John Anderson
and the athletic department. The only issue is whether the Golden Gophers
build their own on-campus ballpark or share a ballpark with the St. Paul
Saints.
Chances that Siebert Field will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 90%
Siebert Field, 2003.
8. Ray Winder Field, Little Rock
With the Arkansas
Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) striking a deal to play at a new
ballpark in North Little Rock, the future of the team's current home is in
doubt. Ray Winder opened in 1932 as Travelers Stadium and is one of the
joys of minor-league baseball, but the economics of the game have made the
venerable old ballpark obsolete. Little Rock officials don't seem to have
given much thought to the future of the ballpark, but there are some
voices calling for the ballpark's preservation.
Chances that Ray Winder Field will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 88%
Ray Winder Field, 2004.
9. Civic Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
The longtime home
of the Eugene Emeralds (short season; Northwest League) dating back to the
days when the team played in the Pacific Coast League may be in its last
seasons, as the local school district (which owns the ballpark) wants to
rid of it. The Ems and the University of Oregon have already had
discussions about a new ballpark; if those talks come to fruition, you can
expect to see Civic Stadium eliminated.
Chances that Civic Stadium will meet the wrecking
ball within five years: 85%
10 (tie). RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Currently the
home of the Washington Senators, RFK Stadium has seen new life as District
fans rediscover the joys of baseball. But with both the Nationals and DC
United seeking new facilities, RFK could lack a major tenant when both
teams move. If that happens, one of the original 1960s cookie-cutter
stadiums could be torn down as part of a larger redevelopment.
Chances that RFK Stadium will meet the wrecking ball
within five years: 50%
RFK Stadium, 2006.
10 (tie). Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg
The home of
spring training in downtown St. Pete for decades, the future of Al Lang
Field is dim now that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have announced plans to
shift spring operations to Charlotte County in 2009. The future of Al Lang
Field may lie in attracting an indy league as a tenant -- otherwise the
land is too valuable to leave open.
Chances that Al Lang Field will meet the wrecking ball
within five years: 50%
Al Lang Field, 2006.
12. Astrodome,
Houston
The pioneering Astrodome
makes it back on the list, as it sounds like plans to renovate the
facility are stalled and local officials like Harris County Judge Ed
Emmett are tired of paying millions to keep it open for a limited number
of events.
Chances that the Astrodome will meet the wrecking ball
within five years: 45%
13. Bush
Stadium, Indianapolis
Opened in 1931, Bush Stadium
was the longtime home of baseball in Indianapolis, serving as the home of
the Indianapolis Indians. It opened as Perry Stadium in 1931 and was
renamed Victory Field in 1942 to honor the United States victory in World
War II. The ballpark was renamed Bush Stadium in honor of former player,
manager and team president Owen J. Bush on August 30, 1967. Bush Stadium
still stands as Indianapolis officials continue to plan its future, but no
use for the old ballpark has popped up and city officials are debating
whether to tear it down
Chances that Bush Stadium will meet the wrecking ball
within five years: 40%
14. Dunn Field,
Elmira, N.Y.
Opened in 1939, Dunn Field
has been home to many affiliated teams and is currently the home of the
Elmira Pioneers (summer collegiate; NYCBL). No one wants to pay for
Dunn Field, as the county and city tussle over funding.
Chances that Dunn Field will meet the wrecking ball
within five years: 35%
15. Capital City Stadium, Columbia, S.C.
The former home of the Capital City Bombers (Class A;
Sally League) is neither old or historic, but it's already fallen into
disuse a year after the Bombers moved to Greenville. A Coastal Plain League team
now plays there, but that's not necessarily a long-term solution.
Chances that Municipal Stadium will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 30%
16. Municipal Stadium, Hagerstown,
Md.
It's old but not particularly historic, which is why the
ownership of the Hagerstown Suns (Class A; Sally League) are seeking a new
ballpark. If the Suns succeed in their redevelopment plan, look for
Hagerstown to tear down Municipal Stadium.
Chances that Municipal Stadium will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 35%
17. Duncan Park Stadium, Spartanburg, S.C.
This classic ballpark dates back to the 1920s, but it's
fallen into such disrepair it will take millions to renovate. Used as a
summer-collegiate ballpark in recent years, it could see new life as the
home for independent baseball after volunteers raise enough funds for
renovations.
Chances that Duncan Park Stadium will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 34%
Duncan Park Stadium, 2006.
18. Potter County Stadium, Amarillo, Texas
The home of the Amarillo Dillas (independent;
United League) was never great shakes when the Dillas played,
and the new Dillas are already seeking a new ballpark in Amarillo.
Chances that the Dilla Villa will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 20%
19. Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson,
N.J.
The New York Black Yankees once played games in this Art
Deco gem, but over the years the condition of this
historic stadium has serious deteriorated, to the point
where community leaders were asking that the facility
either be torn down or restored. There's currently a plan
before the local school district -- which owns the stadium
-- to restore the facility. Restoration, however, will
depend on funding. UPDATE: Hinchliffe Stadium has
been added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places,
which will enhance its long-term survival.
(Thanks to Brian LoPinto for the postcard.)
Chances that Hinchliffe Stadium will meet the
wrecking ball within five years: 5%
Recent Departures
Cobb Field, Billings, Montana
Opened in 1948 and named
after Robert Cobb, the former owner of the Pacific Coast
League's Hollywood Stars (who was key in bringing
professional baseball to Billings), Cobb Field is a
perfect representation of baseball ballparks from that
era. The Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) have
never been more popular, and part of that is due to the
ambiance of Cobb Field. After the Mustangs ended their
season on Sept. 7, 2007, the dismantling of the ballpark began, and a new
facility is being built on the site for the 2008 season.
Cobb Field comes down in 2007. (Photo by
Nelson King.)
Cobb Field, 2003.
Jack Russell Stadium, Clearwater, Fla.
The former home of the Clearwater Phillies (Class A;
Florida State League) and former spring-training home of the Philadelphia
Phillies was totally demolished on July 22, 2007.
Jack Russell Stadium, 2004.
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