Sports play a major role in Philadelphia's culture, baseball being the most crucial. One expression of this culture is the stadiums, whose design is often influenced by the needs of the teams and fans. Whether adding more seats or improving the field, there's a lot of history in the ballparks themselves.
As part of our effort to promote passion for the sport, our team of experts has researched some of the most iconic ballparks and their history. We also discuss the ones currently in use with many people attending them or watching through the best Pennsylvania sportsbooks. Read on to learn more about these ballparks.
Jefferson Street Grounds
One of the first ballparks in Philadelphia was the Jefferson Street Grounds, located at 26th Jefferson Street. It spanned a whole block, although the layout would be changed throughout the years. While it could only seat around 5,000 people, the first City Series game between the Phillies (then known as the Quakers) and Philadelphia Athletics sold over 9,000 tickets. It also hosted many Philadelphia Championship Series games.
The ballpark was also fully enclosed and was the location for the first-ever game of the National League, on April 22nd, 1876, between the Athletics and Boston Red Stockings. While Boston won the game 6-5, no other games were played that day due to rain. The ballpark closed in 1890 and is currently the location of Camelot Academy.
Recreation Park
Another significant ballpark is the Recreation Park, located on 24th Street. According to records, it has been around since the early days of Philadelphia baseball, when Equity beat Pennsylvania. It was abandoned until 1875 when the National Association and Philadelphia Centennials reworked it with grandstands and a 10-foot fence.
It was later acquired by Alfred J. Reach, who's resodded it and named it "Recreation Park". The park would become the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and the location of their first game in 1883 when they beat Manayunk Ashlands 11-0. After the lease expired in 1886, the team moved to a new field, and Recreation Park was closed for good. Currently, the land is occupied by urban housing and shops.
Baker Bowl
The Phillies' new home would be Baker Bowl, located on Broad Street. It was built in 1887 with a seating capacity of 12,500, although the Phillies first game exceeded that with 18,000 tickets being sold. Following a fire that burned down the stadium, it was rebuilt as the first brick and steel ballpark in the US to prevent fires.
It also used a cantilever design to support the upper deck, which was unique for its time. The Phillies played at the stadium for over 50 years, with some major events, including Babe Ruth's last professional game and the World Series in 1915. Aside from that, it also hosted a few games from the Philadelphia City Series.
It was also the first home field of the Philadelphia Eagles, although unfortunately the stadium was demolished in 1950. Currently, its location is indicated by a historical marker.
Shibe Park
Opened in 1909 on 21st Lehigh Avenue, Shibe Park was known for its innovative design. It popularized the Jewel Box design, as it had many columns, a dome, and arches that made it look like a French Renaissance building or a church. Although the building could accommodate up to 23,000 people, Opening Day saw an influx of 45,000 to watch the Athletics beat the Boston Red Sox.
Many people would even go up to the roofs of nearby buildings to try and catch games like the World Series. The Phillies would also eventually become tenants, sharing the venue with the Athletics. While the stadium received improvements like floodlights and parking, it would close down on October 1st, 1970. During the final game in the stadium, many fans dismantled it to get souvenirs.
Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium opened in 1971 on South Broad Street, with poor weather and rising costs delaying its construction. It was designed to be a multipurpose venue for football and baseball. Unfortunately, it also had many construction issues, such as players sinking into the ground or seams being visible.
While it could seat up to 70,000 people, fans complained they couldn't see the game because the upper seats were too high. Nevertheless, it was host to many memorable games, similar to top World Series moments, such as the longest game in baseball history that ended at 4 am. The stadium was demolished in 2003.
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex is the most recent stadium still in use. It was opened on April 3rd, 2004, with over 40,000 seats, and it was named after Citizen Bank, which agreed to a 25-year naming deal. This ballpark also contains the legacy of previous ones, with a statue of Connie Mack near it and a Liberty Bell replica from Veterans Stadium installed above the third base entrance.
Citizens Bank Park is still being modified and updated, most recently adding a new out-of-town scoreboard.
Conclusion
From simple fields to high-tech multipurpose stadiums, ballparks in Philadelphia have an impressive history. Regardless of the location, fans of the sport continue to watch their favorite teams, with the stadiums always seeking to improve the experience. With Citizens Bank Park recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, we look forward to seeing how it will continue to attract crowds in the future.
