Willie Mays played at Rickwood Field as a teenager. More than 75 years later, the same Birmingham ballpark hosted a Major League Baseball game between the Giants and Cardinals in 2024.
It’s a remarkable connection between baseball’s past and present, and Rickwood is far from the only place with a story like that.
Across America, century-old baseball grounds continue to host college teams, minor league clubs, and summer leagues. Some have welcomed legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.
Others have survived major renovations, changing leagues, and generations of players while keeping their original locations.
What makes these places special is that they’re not just historic landmarks. Fans can still watch games at many of them, sometimes in grandstands that have been around for decades.
From famous Major League stadiums to modest college diamonds, these 13 ballparks offer a chance to experience baseball history without giving up the excitement of a live game.
1. Stan Galle Field, Mobile, Alabama
Baseball was being played on this Spring Hill College ground back in 1889. That puts it among the oldest active college diamonds in the country.
The Spring Hill Badgers still call it home, so today’s players chase grounders where students did in the 1800s. The college itself dates to 1830, making it one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the South.
Don’t expect towering upper decks or long concession lines. This is a modest campus field, and that’s the appeal.
You sit close enough to hear the coaches and see every pitch clearly.
Check the Badgers’ spring schedule before you go, since college seasons run roughly February through May. A weekend doubleheader is an easy way to see plenty of baseball in one visit.
Address: Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608
2. Joseph J. O’Donnell Field, Boston, Massachusetts
Harvard has been playing baseball on this patch of ground since 1898. Plenty of famous professors have come and gone in that time, and the infield is still here.
Although Harvard’s main campus sits in Cambridge, the athletic fields are across the Charles River in Boston’s Allston neighborhood. The Crimson compete in the Ivy League, which brings old rivals like Yale and Columbia to town each spring.
Games here tend to feel relaxed and personal. You can grab a seat, watch talented student athletes, and still catch the subway home afterward.
Pair a game with a walk across the river to Harvard Yard. It turns a few innings of baseball into a full afternoon of history.
Address: 65 North Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02163
3. Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
How many Big Ten teams play on a site used since 1902? Michigan State can make that claim, and it’s a fun one to bring up between innings.
The Spartans’ ballpark has been rebuilt and upgraded over the years, with McLane Stadium opening in 2009. Even so, the location ties today’s program to more than a century of college baseball in East Lansing.
Big Ten baseball brings strong pitching and conference rivals like Michigan and Ohio State. Early spring games can be chilly in Michigan, so pack a jacket even if the forecast looks friendly.
The stadium sits on Michigan State’s large campus, so give yourself extra time to find parking. Exact street address details vary by source, so check the athletics site before heading out.
Address: Michigan State University Campus, East Lansing, MI 48824
4. Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, Worcester, Massachusetts
Opened in 1905, Fitton Field shares space with a football stadium on the Holy Cross campus. That setup gives the ballpark an old-school, multipurpose feel you rarely see now.
The Holy Cross Crusaders play here, and the hillside campus rises right behind the action. Brick buildings and church spires make the view feel very New England.
Holy Cross has real baseball credentials, too. The Crusaders won the College World Series in 1952, a title that still surprises many fans.
Worcester also has the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox downtown. Baseball lovers could plan a weekend that mixes century-old college ball with modern minor league games in the same city.
Address: 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610
5. Centennial Field, Burlington, Vermont
The concrete grandstand here dates to 1922, while the field itself opened in 1906. It’s one of the oldest ballparks still used for regular summer baseball.
The Vermont Lake Monsters play at Centennial Field in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Rosters feature college players spending their summers sharpening skills, so you might spot a future pro.
The University of Vermont once played here too, though the school ended its baseball program in 2009. The Lake Monsters kept the lights on and the game alive.
Burlington summers are mild, which makes evening games pleasant. The Lake Monsters lean into family fun with promotions and their mascot, Champ, named after the legendary creature said to live in Lake Champlain.
Address: 287 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405
6. Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, Corvallis, Oregon
Three national championships have been celebrated by the team that plays here. Oregon State won College World Series titles in 2006, 2007, and 2018.
Baseball on this site goes back to 1907, which makes the modern facility feel like a new house on very old land. Major renovations have added seating and amenities over the years.
The Beavers are a West Coast powerhouse, so tickets for big series can be in demand. Buying ahead is smart when a top rival visits.
Corvallis is a small college town in the Willamette Valley. Spring weather can be rainy, so a hooded jacket is a better bet than an umbrella in the stands.
Address: Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
7. Rickwood Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Willie Mays was just a teenager when he played here for the Birmingham Black Barons. Today, the field is widely recognized as America’s oldest surviving professional ballpark.
Rickwood opened in 1910 and hosted the Birmingham Barons for decades. Its old-fashioned grandstand and manual scoreboard have made it a favorite location for baseball movies, including 42.
In June 2024, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals played an MLB game here honoring the Negro Leagues. Sadly, Mays passed just days before the event, which made the tribute even more meaningful.
The Friends of Rickwood group works to preserve the park. The Barons also return for an annual Rickwood Classic, so check the calendar before visiting Alabama.
Address: 1137 2nd Avenue West, Birmingham, AL 35204
8. Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
A 37-foot wall in left field has been frustrating hitters for generations. Fans call it the Green Monster, and it’s Fenway’s most famous feature.
Fenway opened on April 20, 1912, just days after the Titanic sank. It’s the oldest active Major League ballpark, home to the Boston Red Sox.
Look for Pesky’s Pole in right field, named after former player Johnny Pesky. The quirky outfield shape creates odd bounces that keep outfielders guessing.
Want a different view? Seats on top of the Green Monster are a bucket-list ticket for many fans.
Ballpark tours also run on many days, letting you see the park up close even without a game.
Address: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215
9. Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Daytona Beach, Florida
In 1946, other Florida cities refused to let Jackie Robinson play. Daytona Beach allowed it, and his spring training game here became a key moment in baseball history.
The ballpark opened in 1914 and was later renamed in Robinson’s honor. A statue of him stands outside, and it’s a popular spot for photos.
Today the Daytona Tortugas play here as a Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Many young players on the roster could reach the majors in a few years.
The park sits on an island close to the Halifax River. Summer evenings in Florida stay hot, so bring water and sunscreen for early innings.
Address: 105 East Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
10. Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Ivy was planted on the outfield walls in 1937, and it’s still there. Balls that disappear into the vines can turn into ground-rule doubles.
Wrigley opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park, built for a Federal League team. The Chicago Cubs moved in two years later and have played here ever since.
The hand-operated scoreboard in center field is still updated by workers inside. The red marquee at the main entrance is a favorite meeting spot before games.
Neighbors on nearby rooftops even sell seats to watch games. Day games remain a Wrigley tradition, so an afternoon ticket gives you the classic experience in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
Address: 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60613
11. Luther Williams Field, Macon, Georgia
A team named the Macon Bacon calls this 1929 ballpark home. The name alone tells you summer nights here lean playful.
The Bacon play in the Coastal Plain League, a summer circuit for college players. Promotions, silly mascots, and family-friendly games keep the energy high.
Luther Williams Field has a classic grandstand that has hosted minor league teams for decades. Hollywood noticed, too, and the park appeared in the movie 42.
The field sits beside Central City Park, close to downtown Macon. Arrive early to explore the area before the first pitch.
Address: 225 Willie Smokey Glover Drive, Macon, GA 31201
12. McCormick Field, Asheville, North Carolina
Remember the baseball movie Bull Durham? Some scenes were filmed at McCormick Field, which opened in 1924.
Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Jackie Robinson all played here during exhibition stops. The stadium was rebuilt in 1992, but the location keeps its long baseball history.
The Asheville Tourists play here as a High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The right field wall is tall because a hill sits behind it, and the short distance gives hitters a fun target.
Asheville sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. A game pairs well with a scenic drive or a visit to the nearby Biltmore Estate.
Address: 30 Buchanan Place, Asheville, NC 28801
13. Doubleday Field, Cooperstown, New York
Abner Doubleday did not invent baseball, even though Cooperstown once claimed he did. The village kept the story’s name on its ballpark anyway.
Doubleday Field opened as a ballpark in 1920, with a brick grandstand added later. It sits just a short walk from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
The field hosts amateur, high school, and special games throughout the year. Hall of Fame events sometimes bring former major leaguers here for exhibitions.
The ballpark’s annual Hall of Fame Classic has brought retired Major League stars back onto the field, giving fans a chance to see familiar names play in Cooperstown. Its traditional grandstand and intimate setting make it easy to appreciate how different baseball felt before enormous modern stadiums became the norm.
Cooperstown is a small village in upstate New York. Plan to walk Main Street, tour the Hall of Fame, and finish the day watching a game on this historic diamond.
Address: 1 Doubleday Court, Cooperstown, NY 13326
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