1990 – 1999
1990
Chicago announces demolition of Comiskey Park, leaving Birmingham’s Rickwood Field as the oldest baseball park in America.
1992
The Friends of Rickwood Field organization is formed and designs a masterplan to save the ball park and bring new life (and revenue) through new uses – especially as a film locale given the popularity of League of Their Own and Bull Durham.
1993
Rickwood listed on the National Register of Historic Places
1994
Cobb, staring Tommy Lee Jones and directed by Ron Shelton, was Rickwood’s first at bat in the movie big leagues, earning Rickwood new revenue and national attention as a unique movie set for period film
1996
1996 Soul of The Game starring Delroy Lindo as Satchel Paige, Mikyti Williams as Josh Gibson, and Blair Undwerwood as Jackie Robinson, portrayed life in the Negro Leagues. Rickwood starred as itself.
1996
Barons agree to return to Rickwood for the first Rickwood Classic. Over 10,000 fans crowd the old ballpark to honor Walt Dropo and Piper Davis and their 1948 teammates, launching an annual ‘throw back’ event that became a must for baseball people across the country.
1997
Every Other Sunday, the story of the Birmingham Black Barons, written as his Master’s Thesis, is published posthumously in honor of Rickwood’s first Executive Director, Chris Fullerton. The famed gazebo pressbox on top of Rickwood is named in his honor. Need photo of Chris.
1999
Classic honored the Birmingham Black Barons, and 1958 alum Charley Pride sang the national anthem.