Funding for renovations at Rickwood Field approved by Council

The Birmingham City Council approved a bid of $553,477 by Trawick Contractors Inc. for renovations at Rickwood Field.

It holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving professional baseball park in the United States.

Rickwood Field fell into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century, but efforts were made to restore and preserve the historic ballpark. In 1992, the Friends of Rickwood organization was formed with the goal of restoring the field to its former glory. Since then, the organization has worked tirelessly to maintain and promote Rickwood Field as a living museum of baseball history.

Today, Rickwood Field is recognized as a national treasure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ballpark continues to host regular baseball games, including the annual Rickwood Classic, which celebrates the history and legacy of the field. Soon the ballpark will be hosting the Savannah Banana’s, a baseball circus that brings thousands of spectators.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Councilor Hunter Williams, Chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, said that these investments guarantee the long-term survival of the ballpark.

“Obviously when you have a piece of history like Rickwood that is exposed to the elements, there are going to be repairs that need to be made,” Williams said. “This ballpark is such an important piece of the culture here in Birmingham and continues to bring so many people to our city. We’re happy to support the efforts to keep this field viable and successful for years to come.”

Last week it was also announced that the historic field will be the site of one of the MLB’s “Field of Dreams” games in 2024!