There used to be a ballpark

 

 

Ballparks, Baseball Stadiums & Fields of Dreams

Yankee Stadium, The Polo Grounds, Griffith Stadium, Wrigley Field, and countless other homes for Major League franchises often stir up indelible memories.
Imagine yourself playing at Ebbets Field with the legendary Abe Stark Sign along the outfield wall - hit it, and you would have won a free suit! You would also know this is where the first televised game was played, and where Jackie Robinson played his first Major League game. The eye, it is known, records everything it sees.
But then, there is the most mysterious of all the 5 senses, the sense of smell. How often have you entered a ballpark to be greeted by the invigorating fragrance of hotdogs, mustard, and relish, and have been returned instantaneously to joyous memories of your youth? Or all of a sudden, a certain perfume in the breeze makes you turn around to see if that special someone you once knew was sitting nearby.

It seems that only ballparks are conducive to such limitless memories, somehow combining the wide open heavens with the solid earth, green and fertile. Although new stadiums are being built almost yearly to maximize team profits, while older stadiums are becoming relics of the past, we must bear in mind that the new stadiums of today will most likely become treasure troves of memories for generations to come. Finally, all memories will be intricately connected to what transpires on the field of action and in which 'theatre' of drama the events occurred.
Baseball Almanac is pleased to present the information you need to contact any current ballpark and walk through and breathe in the essence of some of the green fields of yesteryear.

THERE USED TO BE A BALLPARK   Oh, there used to be a ball park where the field was warm and green, and the people played a crazy game with a joy I've never seen. How the people watched with wonder, how they laughed and how they cheered Yes, there used to be a ball park.... right here.... And the people ate rock candy on a great big 4th of July and the fireworks exploded all across the summer sky. And the air was filled with wonder from the hot dogs and the beer Yes, there used to be a ball park... right here.... Now the children try to find it, and they can't believe their eyes For the old team isn't playing, and the new team hardly tries And the sky has gotten cloudy when it used to be so clear and the summer....went so quickly... this year... Yes, there used to be a ball park... right here.....