Batter Up

Just before the Rickwood Classic began.

Have A Seat!

Rickwood Field, America's oldest baseball field, since 1910. 

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

I'm betting this boy and his dad will be enjoying many baseballs games together.

Rickwood Classic

Rollie Fingers

Last Wednesday, my grandson Davis and I went to Birmingham's Rickwood Field to photograph the Rickwood Classic game. This year's honoree was Rollie Fingers, Major League Baseball All Star, Cy Young Award winner, and former Birmingham A pitcher. Fans stood in the heat for over an hour to have Rollie sign their baseballs  and posters. We were lucky to be able to be on the field when he threw out the first ball.  As he left the field, Davis was thrilled to get his autograph!!

Davis for the score!

Play Ball!

Davis and Courtney Hawkins

Yesterday I was a lucky girl.  I was fortunate to get a Press Pass to photograph the Rickwood Classic. Rickwood Field is the oldest baseball field in America, and a Birmingham treasure. Each year they play a game in vintage uniforms and it's a great day for baseball and Birmingham. My date was my very cool grandson Davis. He had a great time getting his ball signed by so many of the Barons who couldn't have been greater with the kids, and older fans as well. I will be bringing you a Rickwood Series for the next few days. PLAY Ball!

Vintage

There's a lot of hoopla about our new Regions Baseball Park that recently opened downtown, but let's not forget historic Rickwood Field,  America's oldest baseball park .  Built in 1910, it's a treasure.

Happy 100th Rickwood Field!

Please join me in wishing Birmingham's Rickwood Field, the oldest baseball park in the America, a very happy 100th birthday!! Today the Rickwood Classic will be played at 12:30 and players will take the field in replicas of the 1910 uniforms. Built in 1910 for the Birmingham Barons by owner and industrialist Rick Woodward, this nostalgic park still hosts baseball games for local high schools and of course the Classic each spring. Documentaries and movies have also been filmed right here.

I've posted many photos here, here, here and here. I asked my friend Robert Woodward, nephew of Rick Woodward AND BADP contributor, to select today's photos from those that I had left in my archives. These are Robert's picks. I've made him promise to take Jean and me to Rickwood the next time he's in town for another photo field trip!

Theme Day - Wood

All I have to say is I am very thankful that France is 7 hours ahead of my time zone! I visited my friend Jilly's Menton and Monte Carlo blogs last night, and she had posted her Theme Day photos. I will admit it had totally slipped my mind. You would think after doing this for 20 months, I would catch on! And may I add a partisan comment here. I think Jilly's portrait today on her Menton blog is one of her very finest!

I found this photo in my archives. It's the well worn wooden steps leading to the dugout at Historic Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark ( 100 years in August 2010!) in America. This one is for my friend Robert who's family founded Rickwood Field. There will be a terrific 100th birthday celebration this summer. I'll be there!

Today City Daily Photobloggers from around the world are putting their spin on the theme WOOD.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Rickwood Nuptials

* Last month my guest photographer was my friend Jean Reed. Her friend Robert has offered me a few of his. Robert's from LA ( Lower Alabama !) in Baldwin County. Thanks Robert!

Rickwood Field is 99 years and the Oldest Baseball Park in America! Each year in late May the Rickwood Classic is played. The Birmingham Barons and their opponents dress in period uniforms and play at this historic field. It's a great even for families and baseball enthusiasts. This year the field was the site of a Rickwood Family Wedding!

(Family photo)

Robert - Guest Photographer

Shadow Series VII- The Ticket Booth

SHADOW SERIES V

I've brought you to Rickwood Field many many times. Some of my favorite photographs were these with the strong shadows criss crossing the walls and ticket booths. If you live in Birmingham or come here to visit, you need to buy a ticket and experience a ballgame at America's Oldest Baseball Park!

Play Ball!

We've been to Rickwood Field on many occassions ( here, here and here!).  I would say this is the last post,  but I can't be sure I won't go back and get some new photos.  By now you all know it's America's Oldest Baseball Park,  and I guess the seats are starting to look a bit worn.  But come to think of it,  shiny, new seats would just be wrong!

*  Yesterday I had some clever viewers who tried to guess where that photo was taken.  The answer is .....Mountain Brook - Birmingham's most upscale suburb.  It was shot behind two recent posts: Charlotte Woodson Antiques and Gilchrist!!!  I'm including a photo of the block where the alley is located.  

Tonight's Line- Up

It's almost baseball season.  How do I know?  Because I have seen the wee tiny tots out "practicing" when I walk every afternoon.  I promise I will take my camera and capture some of the "Baby Ruths" one day soon.  

Today, a shot of my friend Connor that I took at Rickwood Field.  Some of you may remember that I have shared other photos from Rickwood, here and here.  It's America's Oldest Baseball Field and we are quite proud of it.  It has been lovingly preserved down to the vintage signs on the outfield fencing.  The Friends of Rickwood Field have done a nice job of keeping it up to par.  Maybe we'll see Connor play there one day!

Baseball Dreams Do Come True

What boy or girl  doesn't dream of a chance at bat in a real baseball park?  Well, my friend Connor got to do just that,  at none other than Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field.  For those of you who don't already know, Rickwood is the oldest baseball park in America.  What a thrill for me to be able to capture that moment when Connor got to live his dream.  

Scroll back to previous Rickwood posts.

Batter Up!

This is one of my favorite photos from historic Rickwood Field.  As you know from  an earlier post, Rickwood is America's oldest baseball park.  When I look at this photo I can almost see a player climbing those worn wooden steps for his turn at bat. The vintage signs that surround the field are visible in the distance.  Rickwood  Field is a Birmingham treasure. 

Shadows from the Past

Historic Rickwood Field is the oldest ballpark in the U.S.  The Friends of Rickwood Field have done a good job preserving this Birmingham landmark.  Today it is used for high school and some college games and the Birmingham Barons play the Rickwood Classic here each year.  I love the way the afternoon sun cast shadows across the walls and floor through the front entrance gate.