MINOR LEAGUE

Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore, MD

Since its opening, Camden Yards has become one of the most influential ballparks built since Shibe Park and Forbes Field pioneered the modern fireproof baseball stadium in 1909. When it opened in 1992 Camden Yards ushered in a new age of ballparks. With an aging Memorial Stadium, the Orioles and city official developed a plan to build a new ballpark to be in downtown Baltimore. The ballpark was built on land that once was occupied by Babe Ruth’s father’s saloon. The owner of the Orioles at the present time, Eli Jacobs, and the head architect, Joseph Spear developed the design for the ballpark. Camden Yards revolutionalized the design and quality of future baseball stadiums. Since 1992, almost all ballparks have been designed in a similar way. It was built similar to ballparks built in the early 1900s. Instead of concrete, steel columns, beams and trusses were used to support the ballpark. The facade consists of brick with arches and the low raked upper deck keeps the ballpark from looming over other buildings. Bleacher seats, a picnic area behind part of the centerfield fence and ivy on the hitters backdrop give the ballpark a nostalgia atmosphere. Behind the right field wall, the 1898 B&O Warehouse stands eight stories high and spans several blocks.

The Baltimore Orioles played their inaugural first game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 6, 1992. The ballpark is nestled on the edge of downtown Baltimore. Many fans enter Camden Yards through the Eutaw Street entrance. Once a street that led into downtown Baltimore, Eutaw Street is a bustling area between the seating area and the B&O Warehouse. Fans can mingle, enjoy ribs and barbeque, see plaques of legendary Oriole Hall of Famers, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the ballpark. From Eutaw Street fans see a plethora of green seats in the main grandstand. Located below street level is the main playing field that prevents fans from having to walk up to get to the lower deck of the seating area.  Large open air concourses allow people to easily move around Camden Yards. Escalators, ramps and elevators allow easy access to the upper deck.

The ballpark consists of a three tier grandstand that stretches from behind home plate, down the third base line around the left field foul pole, and down the first base line. All 48,190 seats are green, replicating ones in bygone ballparks. Additional seating is located under the main score/video board in right center field. Two orange seats mark the landing spot of homeruns by two Hall of Fame Orioles, Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray. One in right- centerfield, marks the location of Murray's 500th homerun, and the other in left-field marks the spot of Ripken's 278th homerun, breaking Ernie Banks record for homeruns by a shortstop. Fans can stand and watch the game from behind the 25 foot high out of town scoreboard in right field or in an area over looking the bullpens in left centerfield. A beautiful grassy picnic and park area filled with colorful, flower gardens and shady trees is located beyond centerfield.

The latest improvement to Camden Yards was completed prior to the 2008 season as a new 24' x 74' LED videoboard replaced the original JumboTron. Almost every new park since 1992 has been built in the Camden Yards lineage of baseball-only intimacy: Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Coors Field in Denver and PNC Park in Pittsburgh. With its great setting in downtown Baltimore and excellent views of the city, fans still pack Camden Yards regularly.

BALLPARK MERCHANDISE

2009 Opening Day Camden Yards Poster with Signatures
12"x20" Limited to 2,009

Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards Poster
by Mike Smith
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Camden Yards Infield Dirt Photomint
by Highland Mint
13"x16" Limited to 5,000

Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. at bat at Camden Yards
by Rob Arra
13.5" x 39" Framed

Ballparks of Baseball's Camden Yards Pictures
Sizes Vary
MORE POSTERS

CAMDEN YARDS FACTS AND FIGURES

2009 ORIOLES SCHEDULE

CAMDEN YARDS PICTURES