The Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) have spruced up the branding for their ballpark, unveiling a new America’s Classic Ballpark logo. The new logo includes homages to the history of FirstEnergy Stadium, which first opened in 1950.
The America’s Classic Ballpark logo was created by Jason Klein and Casey White of Brandiose.
America’s Classic Ballpark, FirstEnergy Stadium, has become a destination point for generations of families over the course of 67 years. Fans can identify with the logo all the history they have witnessed over the years. The logo not only displays the year of 1950, in which America’s Classic Ballpark debuted, but also features the stadium’s signature façade. The façade has been an integral piece in which fans can help identify America’s Classic Ballpark.
The new look was brought to life at Brandiose in San Diego, where they make teams famous by celebrating their brand stories. Partners Jason and Casey dreamed up top selling logos for the Reading Fightins, Richmond Flying Squirrels, and America’s oldest baseball club, the Cincinnati Reds.
“There’s Wrigley and Fenway in the Majors, and then there’s America’s Classic Ballpark in the Minors,” said Brandiose’s Jason Klein. “If there’s one classic ballpark in all of Minor League Baseball, it’s here in Reading. We’re honored to celebrate America’s Classic Ballpark with a logo to commemorate its iconic status.”
America’s Classic Ballpark is the oldest park in the Eastern League and has housed many signature moments on and off the field. It’s been named the #1 Classic Ballpark in all of the minor leagues according to Baseball America, the #1 Minor League Baseball destination in all of Pennsylvania according to Stadium Journey, the Best Ballpark in the Minor Leagues according to digitalballparks.com, and the third-best Minor League ballpark in the United States according to USA TODAY Travel Media.
In the early years, the ballpark was home to Indians and Red Sox farm clubs, welcoming notable players such as Rocky Colavito & Roger Maris. Beginning in 1967, America’s Classic Ballpark became home to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies relationship with Reading is the longest in all of minor league baseball, as Phillies greats like Larry Bowa, Bob Boone, Greg Luzinski, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and many more all honed their skills at America’s Classic Ballpark. Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, widely regarded as the greatest third baseman off all-time, actually played his very first professional game at America’s Classic Ballpark. In fact, a total of thirty future Baseball Hall of Famers played, coached or managed at America’s Classic Ballpark before going on to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Away from Baseball, America’s Classic Ballpark has hosted memorable concerts by such artists as Chicago, the Beach Boys, Tiny Tim, and Bob Dylan. Taylor Swift, at the tender age of nine, performed the National Anthem before her hometown Fightin Phils game, before going on to music stardom. Taylor has returned since then to perform two more times at America’s Classic Ballpark.
“This ballpark is a huge part of this community, and a huge part of our long-term success”, said Scott Hunsicker, general manager of the Reading Fightin Phils. “There is a soul to this ballpark, a soul built on hosting three generations, all sharing great times, in the same great place. This stadium is an important part of the history of Minor League Baseball, an authentic piece of Americana, and we are blessed that fans from near and far make a pilgrimage here to FirstEnergy Stadium each summer to experience it, and to share it with their kids. America’s Classic Ballpark needed a logo befitting of its status, and we are proud to say that it now has one.”