Rickwood Field is located in Birmingham, Alabama, is the oldest surviving professional baseball…read morepark in the United States, originally opening on August 18, 1910. Often referred to as "America's Oldest Ballpark," it has stood for over a century as a living monument to the sport, civil rights, and Southern culture.
In 1936, it became one of the first minor league ballparks in the country to install distinctive field lights, allowing for night baseball.A Pillar of the Negro Leagues (1920-1963)Shared Home: During an era of strict segregation, the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues began playing their home games at Rickwood as early as 1920.The "Every Other Sunday" Tradition: Because the white Barons and Black Barons could not play against each other or share the field, the teams shared the stadium by alternating schedules, a tradition famously known as "Every Other Sunday".Willie Mays: The legendary Willie Mays grew up in the Birmingham area and launched his professional career with the Black Barons at Rickwood in 1948.
The minor league Barons eventually outgrew the stadium and moved to a larger venue in 1987. After Comiskey Park in Chicago was demolished in 1990, Rickwood officially inherited the title of America's oldest ballpark.Hollywood Sets: Sitting empty for several years, the stadium was later rented as a filming location for classic baseball movies such as Cobb (1995), Soul of the Game (1996), and 42 (2013).
Willie Mays began his professional career with the Negro Leagues' Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood. Other notable legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Ernie Banks, and Hank Aaron (who played for the Indianapolis Clowns) all competed at the historic stadium.
Early pioneers like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb played on the field, alongside Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Reggie Jackson. Bo Jackson also played on the field early in his career.
