85
BASEBALL GAME AT RICKWOOD FIELD IN ALABAMA
Where?
Rickwood Field
1137 2nd Avenue West
Birmingham, AL 35204
When?
Over 200 events from February to October.
Significance:
“America’s Oldest Baseball Park” has featured the likes of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Dizzy Dean, Stan “The Man” Musial, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, and Willie Mays playing on the historic ball field. And just think it all started with an Alabama industrialist still in his twenties. When Rick Woodward purchased the Coal Barons, he needed to build a home for his acquisition. Fueled by a new owner’s passion for baseball and $75,000, a staggering $50,000 over budget, Rickwood Field was built in 1910. Baseball fans have responded to that passion with passion of their own, filling Rickwood Field to capacity. The structure and the entire atmosphere hearkens back to a simpler time in baseball. It is intentionally out-of-date and anything but innovative. Call it a “wayback machine” for true baseball fans. Before free agency, multi-million-dollar contracts, and scandals over performance enhancements, Rickwood Field was about one thing. Baseball. Nothing more. Nothing less. It reminds us that while other sports are around and draw their fair share of fans, baseball is and will always be the National Pastime.
Who attends?
Baseball fanatics who want to be a part of continuing baseball history.
How to get there?
Conveniently located off Interstates 59 and 65. Rickwood is west of downtown Birmingham and South of the intersection of 3rd Avenue West and 12th Street West. The field is a couple of miles from Legion Field football stadium.
Tickets:
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comAccommodations:
Courtyard Birmingham Downtown
1820 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 254-0004
Fax: (205) 254-8001
Toll-Free: 1-800-321-2211
www.marriott.comNote: In the heart of Birmingham’s medical district and just eight minutes from the ballpark. The café serves breakfast, a la carte or buffet, and lunch and dinner.
The Hotel Highland Five Points
1023 20th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: (205) 933-9555
Fax: (205) 933-6918
Toll-Free: 1-800-255-7304
www.thehotelhighland.comNote: Advertised as the “city’s premier luxury boutique hotel” located in the historic Southside of Birmingham. Walking distance to the heart of the entertainment district.
Doubletree Hotel Birmingham
808 20th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: (205) 933-9000
Fax: (205) 933-0920
Toll-Free-1-800-222-TREE
www.doubletree.comNote: Close to Rickwood, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Birmingham Zoo, and various museums and theaters.
On-Site Hospitality:
Being an old-school ballpark, there is not much in the way of onsite hospitality except for some typical stadium fare. Just grab a hot dog and enjoy the game.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.comPremiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.com
Dining:
Cobb Lane Restaurant
Note: Enjoy year-round outdoor dining in a heated tent or indoors in a European style dining room. Favorites include She-Crab Soup and Chicken Divan.
Cosmos South Side Pizza
Note: Boasting pizza ingredients “from the simple to the sublime.” A full bar is available as well.
Five Points Grill
Note: Restaurant and bar that serves delicious Saturday and Sunday brunches. Enjoy nighttime entertainment.
Millie’s and Billy’s Square One
Note: Traditional supper club for fine dining and live entertainment. Enjoy a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, and entrées.
Ocean
Note: Fresh seafood served in a restaurant that has received a four-star rating from the Birmingham News and an AAA-Four Diamond/Four Star Award.
La Mesa Grill and Cantina
Note: Family-style atmosphere with traditional Spanish cuisine and unique cocktails.
Airport:
Birmingham International Airport
Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
While the Birmingham Barons are considered the main attraction, they only play one game a year after leaving in 1987. Over 200 games and numerous tournaments are still played by high schools, Miles College, and summer and men’s amateur baseball leagues. High school summer ball, in particular, is a showcase event and rivals the excitement of their minor league counterparts. Tickets are open to the public and free of charge for most events.
Best place to get up close:
Two hundred dates may be on the park’s calendar, but that should not prevent you from renting Rickwood to bring your team members or fellow employees together for a game. Be a part of Rickwood history. Costs are probably less than you think but will vary depending on the date you book.
Best travel tip:
If you’ve already visited Rickwood, you’re already in a sports mood. Visit the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame nearby. Around 5,000 sports artifacts are displayed in the 33,000 square foot building. Past inductees include baseball legends Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.
While they do not currently call Rickwood home, former tenants the Birmingham Barons play home games not too far from the stadium. Visit
www.barons.com for more information and game dates.
Notable Quotes:
“I love everything about Rickwood. Just the smell of this ballpark is different than the others. You can smell the hot dogs here and you don’t get that anywhere else. You can really feel the energy of the park.”
—B. J. LAMURA, minor league pitcher
“You can have those new fields with artificial turf and sky boxes. This is a ball park! You need the sun and the wind in your face. To me, Rickwood is a one of a kind place.”—DONNIE HARRIS, former center-fielder for the Black Barons
Relevant Websites: