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Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Since its opening, Camden Yards has become one of the most powerful 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 conception of a new stadium in Baltimore began in 1988 when plans were drawn up for a new ballpark to be built in downtown Baltimore.

The design of the Orioles new ballpark was revolutionary because it was followed by nearly every team that built a new ballpark after 1992. The new ballpark was built similar to ballparks built in the early 1900’s. Steel columns, beams and trusses were used, not concrete 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 growing on the hitter’s backdrop give the ballpark nostalgia feel.

The ballpark consists of a three tier grandstand that stretches from behind home plate, down the third base line and 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. 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 picnic area along with a small park like area with beautiful trees and flowers is located beyond centerfield.

After the 2000 season Camden Yards underwent some minor adjustments. The dimensions were increased from 318 to 320 feet right, 400 to 406 feet center, 410 to 417 feet and from 333 to 337 feet. 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.

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