The Ball Park
Encyclopedia
The Ball Park is a baseball stadium
, located in and owned by the Town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine
. The stadium has a seating capacity of 6,000 and was a former Triple-A baseball facility, that was almost destroyed by years of neglect until a community organized volunteer effort revived the stadium.
and was the home field of the Triple-A International League's Maine Guides
from 1984-88.
The Guides were the top minor league affiliate for Cleveland
from 1984–1986 and the Philadelphia Phillies
from 1987-1988. The owners of the team believed that, due to the large amount of vacation traffic that the town enjoys in the summer months, numerous vacationers would attend games. However, after only five years in existence, the Maine franchise relocated to Moosic, Pennsylvania
, following the 1988 season.
Although attendance was not a major problem during the franchise's existence, the park was hampered by three main driving forces: First, in the summer the stadium was home to a large population of Maine Black Flies that pestered fans. Second, there was only one road leading to and from the stadium, thus creating a traffic nightmare. Finally, soon after the stadium was built, current stadiums expanded and new ones were built to make it normal for most Triple-A stadiums to hold well over 10,000 people, far above the 6,000 that the newly constructed Ball Park held.
Stadium owner Jordan Kobritz fell behind on debt payments to The Finance Authority of Maine which had lent Kobritz the funds to construct the ballpark in 1984. In July 1987, Kobritz agreed to relinquish the deed to the ballpark to The Old Orchard Beach Town Council in exchange for releasing Kobritz from his financial obligations.
After the Guides left, the stadium was leased to a group called, Seashore Performing Arts Center (SEAPAC), who hosted many concerts in the late 80s and early 90s.
The concerts were ceased after local residents complained about the loud noise late at night.
By the 2000s, the Ballpark was shuttered and the facility had suffered from years of neglect. The grass turned into brush and overgrowth, and the walls of the facility started to fall down. The most frequent guests to the stadium were drug users, arsonists, and vandals.
In 2005, Old Orchard Beach considered selling the 50 acres (202,343 m²) site that held the ballpark, as well as the 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) site that included Old Orchard Beach High School's athletic fields. Then Town Manager Jim Thomas speculated at the time that the site could be sold for $2.5 million and generate $1 million per-year in property taxes.
To make matters worse, a major fire caused by a lightning strike, damaged the facility on June 21, 2007.
In June 2008, the town placed a referendum question on the local election ballot proposing to sell the stadium and create room for a condominium complex. However, much to the relief of the 10,000 citizens of the town, the question was largely voted down.
In October 2009, the website ballparkdigest.com officially removed The Ball Park in Old Orchard Beach from its "Endangered Ballparks List." On October 31, 2009, the stadium took a major step in resuming active baseball play. Two teams, made up of local high school players from all over Southern Maine
played the first game at the stadium in nearly 20 years. In May 2010, The United States Collegiate Athletic Association
Baseball National Tournament was held at The Ball Park, and the tournament announced that it will hold its 2011 Tournament there as well.
Also, The Can-Am League's Brockton Rox
played a pair of exhibition games at the Ballpark against the Quebec Capitales
on May 22 and 23. On July 2, 2010, the park hosted its first New England Collegiate Baseball League
game between the Sanford Mainers
and the Lowell All-Americans before a crowd of 550 fans. Many feel that an NECBL team, rather than minor league baseball
, may be the best fit for the ballpark as the nearby City of Portland
is currently the host of the Boston Red Sox
Double A affiliate, The Portland Sea Dogs
. The Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide
of the NECBL made their debut in Old Orchard Beach in 2011.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
, located in and owned by the Town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach is a town and census-designated place in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,856 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. The stadium has a seating capacity of 6,000 and was a former Triple-A baseball facility, that was almost destroyed by years of neglect until a community organized volunteer effort revived the stadium.
History
The Ball Park was opened in 1984. It was built primarily for baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and was the home field of the Triple-A International League's Maine Guides
Maine Guides
The Maine Guides were an American minor league baseball franchise that played in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, between 1984 and 1988. The Triple-A International League club was named for a classification of registered hunting and wilderness guides in the state called Maine Guides for its first four...
from 1984-88.
The Guides were the top minor league affiliate for Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from 1984–1986 and the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
from 1987-1988. The owners of the team believed that, due to the large amount of vacation traffic that the town enjoys in the summer months, numerous vacationers would attend games. However, after only five years in existence, the Maine franchise relocated to Moosic, Pennsylvania
Moosic, Pennsylvania
Moosic is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania six miles south of Scranton and northeast of Wilkes-Barre on the Lackawanna River....
, following the 1988 season.
Although attendance was not a major problem during the franchise's existence, the park was hampered by three main driving forces: First, in the summer the stadium was home to a large population of Maine Black Flies that pestered fans. Second, there was only one road leading to and from the stadium, thus creating a traffic nightmare. Finally, soon after the stadium was built, current stadiums expanded and new ones were built to make it normal for most Triple-A stadiums to hold well over 10,000 people, far above the 6,000 that the newly constructed Ball Park held.
Stadium owner Jordan Kobritz fell behind on debt payments to The Finance Authority of Maine which had lent Kobritz the funds to construct the ballpark in 1984. In July 1987, Kobritz agreed to relinquish the deed to the ballpark to The Old Orchard Beach Town Council in exchange for releasing Kobritz from his financial obligations.
After the Guides left, the stadium was leased to a group called, Seashore Performing Arts Center (SEAPAC), who hosted many concerts in the late 80s and early 90s.
The concerts were ceased after local residents complained about the loud noise late at night.
By the 2000s, the Ballpark was shuttered and the facility had suffered from years of neglect. The grass turned into brush and overgrowth, and the walls of the facility started to fall down. The most frequent guests to the stadium were drug users, arsonists, and vandals.
In 2005, Old Orchard Beach considered selling the 50 acres (202,343 m²) site that held the ballpark, as well as the 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) site that included Old Orchard Beach High School's athletic fields. Then Town Manager Jim Thomas speculated at the time that the site could be sold for $2.5 million and generate $1 million per-year in property taxes.
To make matters worse, a major fire caused by a lightning strike, damaged the facility on June 21, 2007.
In June 2008, the town placed a referendum question on the local election ballot proposing to sell the stadium and create room for a condominium complex. However, much to the relief of the 10,000 citizens of the town, the question was largely voted down.
Revitalization and present day
Around April 2008, a local volunteer organization known as The Ballpark Group took on the task of cleaning up the 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) property and renovating the facility to a condition suitable for hosting games and special events. The volunteers removed the debris from the skybox fire, cleared vegetative overgrowth, rebuilt the dugouts and outfield wall, leveled off the playing field and planted new sod. Much of the skilled work was completed with the volunteer help of local plumbers, contractors, carpenters and electricians and most of the funding has come from private donations.In October 2009, the website ballparkdigest.com officially removed The Ball Park in Old Orchard Beach from its "Endangered Ballparks List." On October 31, 2009, the stadium took a major step in resuming active baseball play. Two teams, made up of local high school players from all over Southern Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
played the first game at the stadium in nearly 20 years. In May 2010, The United States Collegiate Athletic Association
United States Collegiate Athletic Association
The United States Collegiate Athletic Association is a national organization in the USA for the intercollegiate athletic programs of less than 100 small colleges, community collegs and junior colleges. It holds 11 "National Championship" tournaments in seven sports...
Baseball National Tournament was held at The Ball Park, and the tournament announced that it will hold its 2011 Tournament there as well.
Also, The Can-Am League's Brockton Rox
Brockton Rox
The Brockton Rox were a professional baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Rox were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2002 season to 2011, the Rox played their home...
played a pair of exhibition games at the Ballpark against the Quebec Capitales
Quebec Capitales
The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
on May 22 and 23. On July 2, 2010, the park hosted its first New England Collegiate Baseball League
New England Collegiate Baseball League
The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a 12-team collegiate summer baseball league founded in 1993 and sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball. Each NECBL team plays an eight-week, 42-game schedule during June and July, with a playoff in early August...
game between the Sanford Mainers
Sanford Mainers
The Sanford Mainers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Sanford, Maine. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Goodall Park.-Postseason appearances:-External links:* *...
and the Lowell All-Americans before a crowd of 550 fans. Many feel that an NECBL team, rather than minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, may be the best fit for the ballpark as the nearby City of Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
is currently the host of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
Double A affiliate, The Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
. The Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide
Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide
The Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide is a collegiate summer baseball team based in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at The Ball Park. For the first ten years of the team's existence, its home was in Lowell,...
of the NECBL made their debut in Old Orchard Beach in 2011.