Bicentennial Park (Allentown) facts for kids
| Full name | ECTB Stadium at Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park |
|---|---|
| Former names | Fairview Field (1939-1976) |
| Location | Lehigh and South Howard Streets, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°35′15″N 75°28′32″W / 40.587506°N 75.475522°W |
| Owner | City of Allentown |
| Capacity | 4,600 |
| Surface | Grass and Clay |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1939 |
| Renovated | 1976 |
| General contractor | Alvin Butz's Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| Allentown Dukes (1939) Allentown Fleetwings (1940, 1942-1943) Allentown Wings (1941) Allentown Cardinals (1944-1947) Allentown Ambassadors (1997-2003) Philadelphia Force (2006-2009) Allentown Railers (2012-present) |
|
Bicentennial Park is a fun baseball and softball stadium located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It's a place where many exciting games happen. The park was first named Bicentennial Park in 1976. This was to celebrate the 200th birthday of the United States.
Later, in 1987, the park was renamed Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park. This honored Earl F. Hunsicker, who helped a lot with the park's renovation. In 2005, it got another name change to ECTB Stadium at Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park. ECTB stands for Elite Championship Tournament Baseball. This is a group that organizes youth baseball games.
The City of Allentown owns the stadium and the land around it. The ECTB group currently leases it. They also let other community groups use the stadium for events. The ballpark can hold up to 4,600 people.
Contents
The History of Bicentennial Park
Early Days as Fairview Field
The stadium first opened its doors in 1939. Back then, it was called Fairview Field. It was home to the Allentown Dukes. This team was a "farm team" for the Boston Braves. A farm team helps young players get ready for the big leagues.
The Dukes were part of the Interstate League. They won the league championship in their first year. Some future Major League Baseball players, like Joe Antolick, played for the Dukes.
Changing Teams and Names
After the Dukes, other teams played at Fairview Field. In 1940, the Allentown Fleetwings took over. They were connected to the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1941, the team became the Allentown Wings. They were linked to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The team went back to being the Cardinals' affiliate in 1944. They played their last season at Fairview Field in 1947. The Allentown team played for the Interstate League title three times. They lost each time. The team then moved to a new ballpark in 1948.
Renovation and New Beginnings
Fairview Field got a big makeover in the mid-1970s. It reopened in 1976 as Bicentennial Park. It was then used for softball games. Earl F. Hunsicker led the renovation project. He helped raise a lot of money for the park.
After 1960, Allentown did not have a professional baseball team for a while. Then, in 1997, the Allentown Ambassadors arrived. They were part of the independent Northeast League.
The 21st Century at the Park
Professional Women's Softball
The Allentown Ambassadors eventually left in 2004. This was because fewer people were coming to their games. Many talented players had played for the Ambassadors.
From 2006 to 2009, Bicentennial Park hosted professional women's softball. It was home to the Philadelphia Force. They played in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
Keeping the Stadium Open
Around 2009, there was a discussion about the land the stadium sits on. A public transportation group called LANta wanted to build a new garage. This plan might have meant tearing down the stadium.
However, many people wanted to save the park. The family of Earl Hunsicker and the stadium owner spoke out. In 2017, a solution was found. LANta and the City of Allentown traded some land. This allowed the stadium to stay open. LANta used vacant land nearby for their expansion.
In February 2024, Muhlenberg College made an agreement. They decided to lease and renovate ECTB Stadium. The college's baseball team started playing their games there in the 2025 season.
See also
