Rickwood Field
Birmingham, AL
A historic ballpark in Birmingham, still used for games, with a classic grandstand and a small museum on its baseball past. Check the calendar before you go, since the field is easiest to see on game days and tour days.
Rickwood Field in Birmingham, at 1137 2nd Avenue West, is regarded as the oldest surviving professional baseball ballpark in the United States. The industrialist Rick Woodward had it built; it opened on August 18, 1910, with a 3-2 win for the Barons over Montgomery in front of more than 10,000 spectators. It was the first concrete-and-steel stadium in minor league baseball. The Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues also played here, and Willie Mays began his professional career with them in 1948.
On June 20, 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals played the San Francisco Giants here, the first Major League game in Alabama. The ballpark had been renovated beforehand for about $5 million. Today it sees itself as a "working museum" where visitors can see the grandstands and grounds. The Barons play an annual retro game, and since 2025 the Miles College baseball team has played here too. Check in advance when games or tours take place. Allow about one to two hours.
- Nearest town
- Birmingham, AL
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 33.5106, -86.8497
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Brookside GreenwayCampsite10 mi from Rickwood Field · 46 pitchesElectricityShowers
- Hoover RV ParkMotorhome stopover12 mi from Rickwood FieldMotorhomes
- Oak Mountain State Park CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Rickwood FieldTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- South Birmingham RV ParkMotorhome stopover16 mi from Rickwood FieldMotorhomes
- Hargis Christian CampCampsite18 mi from Rickwood Field
- Campground #3Campsite22 mi from Rickwood FieldTentsCaravans
All campsites in Alabama · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Rickwood Field?
Rickwood Field is in Birmingham, AL, at GPS 33.5106, -86.8497. It is about 77 mi from Selma.
Can you camp near Rickwood Field?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Brookside Greenway, about 10 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Rickwood Field?
Places worth a stop nearby: 16th Street Baptist Church (2 mi), Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (2 mi), Sloss Furnaces (3 mi) and Vulcan Park and Museum (3 mi).
When is the best time to visit Rickwood Field?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)