Ainsworth Field facts for kids
| Former names | Athletic Field (1914–1947) |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington Place Erie, Pennsylvania 16502 |
| Owner | Erie School District |
| Operator | Erie School District |
| Capacity | 3,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1913 |
| Opened | 1914 |
| Tenants | |
| Erie Sailors (Central League) (1928) Erie Sailors (Middle Atlantic League) (1938–1939, 1941–1942, 1946–1951) Erie Sailors (New York – Penn League) (1954–1959, 1961–1963) Erie Senators (New York – Penn League) (1960) Erie Tigers (New York – Penn League) (1967) Erie Cardinals (New York – Penn League) (1981–1987) Erie Orioles (New York – Penn League) (1988–1989) Erie Sailors (Frontier League) (1994) Erie Glenwood League Baseball (1995–present) Central Tech High School Falcons (1995–present) East High School Warriors (1995–present) Strong Vincent High School Colonels (1995–present) |
|
Ainsworth Field is a baseball stadium located in Erie, Pennsylvania. It has seats for 3,000 people. This historic field was once home to the Erie Sailors and other professional minor league baseball teams. They played there from 1928 until 1994.
In 1995, a new stadium called UPMC Park opened. This meant Ainsworth Field was no longer used for professional games. However, it got a big update in 2004. Today, it's a busy place for high school baseball and other amateur games.
Contents
History of Ainsworth Field
How the Stadium Started
Ainsworth Field first opened its doors in 1914. Back then, it was known as Athletic Field. It quickly became an important place for sports in Erie.
A New Name for a Special Person
The stadium's name changed on August 25, 1947. It was renamed to honor James "Doc" Ainsworth. He was a beloved person in Erie who spent many years guiding and helping young people.
When Babe Ruth Played Here
A very famous baseball player, Babe Ruth, once visited the ballpark. This happened in 1923. Babe Ruth and his team, called Ruth's All-Stars, played an exhibition game. They played against the Erie Moose Club.
Ruth's All-Stars won the game with a score of 15-1. Babe Ruth played first base during the game. He hit two singles and made two errors. He also hit a home run! People still tell stories about where his home run ball landed. Some say it flew past the nearby Roosevelt Middle School. Others believe it went right into the school's smoke stack.
