Rickwood Field receives a fantastic plug in the November 2 edition of Sports Illustrated magazine.   In an article about the Phillies’ Ryan Howard, the opening paragraph of page 38 sets-up his family baseball history by referring to his grandfather, James Black,  having “starred in a sandlot league at Birmingham’s famed Rickwood Field, where he faced Willie Mays and Willie Mays, Sr.”  Lee Jenkins, the author of the piece, is presumably referring to Birmingham’s rich industrial and amateur ball past.

The Friends of Rickwood are grateful for this reference, and offer our thanks to both Mr. Jenkins and Sports Illustrated.

To view the on-line version of the article, please use the link below:

Preservation Magazine, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, cites Rickwood Field as a model for park revitalization (a case we have been making for some years now) in a piece concerning Hinchliffe Stadium (Paterson, NJ).   The on-line version of the current edition is now available at the link below, with hardcopy available  soon.  The Friends of Rickwood appreciate greatly the support of the National Trust, and this invaluable exposure.

Jonathan Nelson, Birmingham Barons’ General Manager, has been named Southern League Executive of the Year.

The Friends of Rickwood congratulate Jonathan on this exciting honor, and place great value upon our relationship with he and the Birmingham Barons organization.  Jonathan is a true friend of Rickwood, and it is a distinct pleasure to call him a colleague.

On behalf of the Friends of Rickwood, congratulations Jonathan.

To view the Southern League press release click link below:

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090914&content_id=6967244&vkey=pr_t247&fext=.jsp&sid=t247

On Saturday, September 5, I had the pleasure of meeting Travis Greene and his colleagues at the ballpark.  They are working on a documentary project, titled “30 Ballparks in 30 Days.”

From their website:

“We are four filmmakers out of Philadelphia and on April 18, 2009, we will embark on a thirty-day road trip to see a game in all thirty major league ballparks across the country. No planes, no trains – just a car. Driving only. Whatever it takes. Every moment of the trip will be documented and the finished film will portray the troubles and the triumphs that were faced along the way.

The purpose of this project is to raise money and promote the Girls and Boys Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball. Proceeds from all DVD sales of the finished film will be shared with the Girls and Boys Clubs of America.”

Read their Rickwood blog post and visit their site:

 30ballparks30days.com

Rickwood Feild captures the imagination of baseball fans, near and far.  Recently received comments from a San Fransisco resident highlight that excitment:

“I had a chance to stop at Rickwood, and let me say, WOW!

Anyway, you and your organization are doing a wonderful thing by 
preserving Rickwood. I am a huge baseball fan and while I am a San 
Francisco Giants fan with no roots to Birmingham (other than 
Mays?!???), I am interested in becoming one of your Friends of 
Rickwood in order to contribute to the continued preservation and 
maintenance of the park.”

We are of course always eager to receive park feedback, and look forward to hearing from you.

Please see link below for Birmingham News images of the August 13 ceremony.

http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/2009/08/baseball_museum_5.html

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford’s office announced yestserday its plan for an August 13 groundbreaking cermemony, as a public kick-off for the proposed Rickwood Field museum.

The Mayor’s Office press release is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

April Odom

Mayor’s Office of Public Information

254-2823

 GROUNDBREAKING FOR BIRMINGHAM BASEBALL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

Celebrating both the Negro Baseball League and the Southern Baseball League

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, representatives from the Negro Baseball League and Rickwood Field will be on hand this Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. for the groundbreaking of the city’s only Baseball Hall of Fame Museum.

The estimated $7.5 million dollar facility which includes the renovation of the existing Rickwood Field — the oldest baseball field in the country – will capture the history of both the Negro Baseball League and the Southern Baseball League. Both leagues called Rickwood Field home throughout their shared histories.

“This museum has been talked about and talked about and talked about,” Mayor Langford said. “Now, reality is here and it’s time we come together to preserve the history of the old Negro league players while they still live.”

The museum will feature, among other things, the history of the leagues, highlights of past players and state-of-the-art conference amenities, Mayor Langford said.

“It’s amazing that this project has generated interest by people who don’t even live in the city of Birmingham. We have gotten calls of support and gratitude for the concept plus calls from well wishers who just love the game. Players in the Negro league paved the way for the Henry (Hank) Aarons, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinsons of the world. It would be a tragedy to not preserve that part of Birmingham’s unique and rich history in sports,” Mayor Langford said.

Past players will be on hand to autograph commemorative baseballs, plus traditional baseball snacks will be served. Come enjoy the history of Rickwood Field and help us celebrate this great project.

 #####

April Odom
Director of Communications
Mayor’s Office of Public Information
City Hall
710 North 20th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
(205) 254-2368
visit: http://www.birminghamal.gov

Cal Ermer, 1958 Barons Manager, passed away in Chattanooga on Saturday, August 8, at age 85.

Link below is to article in Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/aug/09/ex-lookouts-boss-ermer-dies-at-85/

Related links:

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_133982.asp

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_156468.asp

The Friends of Rickwood will be holding a merchandise and memorabilia sale on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Birmingham’s Brookwood Mall.  Items will include t-shirts, caps, posters, books, vintage gloves and bats, autographs, and more. 

Author Ben Cook will also be signing his book, Good Wood: A Fan’s History of Rickwood Field, from 4:00- 6:00 p.m.

Net procedes from sale to benefit the the Friends of Rickwood Field.

Click link below to view event flyer:

August 1 Sale

The Friends of Rickwood would like to thank roadtripsforfamiles.com for having chosen Rickwood Field as the number 1 suggested destination in their  ”Top Ten Sporting Events for Families” promotion.

To view the rankings, please visit:

www.roadtripsforfamilies.com