The Birmingham Barons will use the 2010 Rickwood Classic to mark the 100th anniversary of the historic facility.The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) will do their part to celebrate the 100th anniversary of historic Rickwood Field when the team returns to their old stomping grounds for the 15th Annual Rickwood Classic on Wednesday, June 2. The 12:30 p.m. contest will pit the Barons opposite the Tennessee Smokies. State Farm will once again sponsor the event.
The two franchises will use the occasion to pay homage to the early years of Rickwood Field. The $75,000, 7,000-seat facility opened on August 18, 1910 when the Barons took on the Montgomery Climbers in a game witnessed by an estimated 10,000 fans. The Barons took the stadium opener with a come-from-behind, 3-2 victory after scoring twice in the ninth inning. The Barons would continue their winning ways at Rickwood Field, winning nine league championships, including a title in the stadium’s final season in 1987.
“It is always a wonderful experience to be able to play a game at a ballpark with the rich history of Rickwood Field,” Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson said. “It is appropriate that we celebrate the 1910 season in this, the 100th anniversary of Rickwood Field’s opening.” The Barons will wear their uniforms from the 1910 season while the Smokies will wear their uniforms from the 1914 season when they were known as the Appalachian Smokies.
This will mark the second appearance for the Smokies in the Classic. The Barons defeated the Cubs Double A affiliate 3-2 in the 13th Annual Rickwood Classic in 2006. The Barons hold a 7-7 record in the event that has taken place since 1996. In 2009, the event was named the most desirable Minor League Baseball game to attend in a poll on MiLB.Com.
“In the decades following Rickwood's August 18, 1910 inaugural opening, the park hosted some of baseball's greats, firmly establishing its place in American culture,” David Brewer, Director of the Friends of Rickwood said. “The Friends organization is proud to serve as steward of Rickwood Field and is very excited about celebrating the park's Centennial at the 2010 Rickwood Classic.”
Share your news with the baseball community! Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!