Centennial Field facts for kids
Stadium grandstands
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| Location | University Road Burlington, VT 05401 |
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| Coordinates | 44°28′53.96″N 73°11′15.56″W / 44.4816556°N 73.1876556°W |
| Owner | City of Burlington VT |
| Operator | University of Vermont |
| Capacity | 4,415 |
| Field size | Left Field: 330 feet Center Field: 405 feet Right Field: 323 feet |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1906 |
| Opened | April 17, 1906 |
| Renovated | 1922 |
| Expanded | 1995 |
| Architect | Levering & Garigues, Co. |
| Tenants | |
| Baseball Vermont Lake Monsters (NYPL/TBD) (1994–present) Vermont Catamounts (1906–1917, 1919–1942, 1946–1971, 1978–2009) Burlington Cardinals (NoL) (1935–1941 and 1946–1952) Burlington Athletics (1955) Vermont Reds (EL) (1984–1987) Vermont Mariners (EL) (1988) AEC Baseball Tournament (2003, 2005, 2006) |
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Centennial Field is a famous baseball stadium located at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. It is the home field for the Vermont Lake Monsters, a popular baseball team. This historic field has seen many exciting games and hosted various sports teams over the years.
Besides baseball, the area beyond the left-field fence used to be home to the university's soccer and lacrosse teams. It was also where the college football team played until 1974.
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Discovering Centennial Field's History
Centennial Field got its name because the land was set aside for sports on July 6, 1904. This date marked 100 years since the first students graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM). The very first baseball game here was on April 17, 1906. UVM won 10–4 against the University of Maine.
Many talented players have played at Centennial Field. Larry Gardner was UVM's first batter, and Ray Collins threw the first pitch. Both went on to play in Major League Baseball. In total, 11 former Catamounts players from UVM have made it to the major leagues.
More Than Just Baseball: Other Sports Played Here
For many years, the field next to the baseball diamond was used for other sports. UVM's college football team played there until 1974. The men's and women's lacrosse teams also used it in the 1990s and early 2000s.
UVM's men's soccer team played at Centennial Field from 1975 to 2011. The women's soccer team played there from 1995 to 2011. They later moved to a new field called Virtue Field. The soccer stands at Centennial Field could hold 5,000 people. They saw huge crowds during important games, especially when UVM's men's soccer team did well in 1989.
When UVM had a football team, Centennial Field had stands on both sides of the field. A record 10,000 fans watched a UVM football game in 1966. This field also hosted several high school state championship games.
Building and Improving the Stadium
The original wooden baseball stands at Centennial Field burned down in 1913. The main grandstand you see today, made of concrete and steel, was built in 1922. It can now seat 4,415 baseball fans.
The large open area in foul territory (the space outside the playing field) is there because a running track used to circle the park. Even the first UVM ice hockey game was played on the football part of Centennial Field!
Centennial Field has gained national attention. In 2005, ESPN visited it during their "50 States in 50 Days" tour. In 2007, ESPN.com listed it as one of the top 10 ballpark destinations in the U.S. It's also featured in a book about great baseball places.
Modern Upgrades and Future Plans
By 2010, Centennial Field needed some repairs to meet modern baseball standards. The owner of the Vermont Lake Monsters, Ray Pecor, invested over $2 million in improvements. These upgrades happened before the 2012 and 2013 seasons. They included new lights, a modern video scoreboard, and better field conditions. Pecor agreed to a 20-year lease with UVM for just $1 per year.
In 2012, the Oakland Athletics baseball team extended their partnership with the Lake Monsters. They praised Burlington's baseball history and community support.
After UVM's soccer teams moved in 2011, baseball became the main sport at Centennial Field. The Vermont Principal's Association's state championship games for high school baseball also returned to the field in 2012.
Baseball Teams at Centennial Field
Centennial Field has been home to many professional and college summer baseball teams over the years.
Burlington Athletics: Vermont's First Pro Team
In 1955, Burlington got its first professional minor league baseball team, the Burlington Athletics. They were part of the Provincial League. The team attracted many fans, with 51,267 people coming to Centennial Field that season. The Burlington Athletics did well, reaching the league championship series. Two players from this team, Bob Davis and Bill Kern, later played in Major League Baseball. However, the Provincial League stopped operating before the 1956 season.
Vermont Reds: A Championship Era
Professional minor league baseball returned in 1984 with the Vermont Reds. This team was part of the Eastern League and was linked with the Cincinnati Reds. The Vermont Reds were very successful, winning the Eastern League championship three years in a row (1984, 1985, and 1986).
Many future Major League stars played for the Vermont Reds. These included Barry Larkin, Jeff Montgomery, Rob Dibble, and Chris Sabo. These players later became key members of the 1990 World Champion Cincinnati Reds team. Barry Larkin had an amazing career, becoming a 12-time All-Star and winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1995. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Vermont Mariners: Another Star Player Visits
After 1987, the team changed its name to the Vermont Mariners and partnered with the Seattle Mariners. The team reached the Eastern League finals that year.
A very famous player, Ken Griffey Jr., played at Centennial Field late in the 1988 season. He was a top draft pick and later became a huge star in Major League Baseball. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, joining Barry Larkin. Another future star, Omar Vizquel, also played for the Mariners in 1988. He was known for his incredible fielding skills.
After the 1988 season, the team moved to Canton, Ohio, seeking a larger fan base.
Vermont Expos and Lake Monsters: The Current Team
Minor league baseball came back to Centennial Field in 1994. A local businessman, Ray Pecor, bought the team rights, and the Vermont Expos began playing in Burlington. Over 5,000 fans attended their first game.
The Expos quickly found success, winning their division title in 1995 and the New York Penn League championship in 1996. By 2002, over one million fans had attended Expos games. In 2006, the team changed its name to the Vermont Lake Monsters. This happened after their parent team, the Montreal Expos, moved and became the Washington Nationals.
In 2011, the Lake Monsters changed their major league partner to the Oakland Athletics. That year, they made it to the postseason for the first time in 15 seasons. Many players who started with the Expos/Lake Monsters have gone on to play in Major League Baseball.
After the 2020 minor league season was canceled, the Lake Monsters were not invited to stay in the official minor league system. The team is currently looking into options to continue as a professional baseball team.
College Summer Baseball Teams
Centennial Field has also hosted college summer baseball teams. The Burlington Cardinals played here from 1935 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1952. Many future major leaguers played for the Cardinals, including Johnny Podres, who made his professional debut here in 1950.
Later, a revived college Northern League brought teams like the Burlington Expos and Burlington A's to Centennial Field. Future Major League pitchers Kirk McCaskill and Mike Rochford played for the Expos during these summers.
A Historic Marker at the Ballpark
In 1997, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation placed a special marker at Centennial Field. It tells visitors about the ballpark's rich history. The marker explains that the field was named to celebrate UVM's 100th anniversary. It mentions that the current grandstand, built in 1922, is one of the oldest still in use. The marker also lists some of the amazing players who have played on the field, including Larry Gardner, Ray Collins, Barry Larkin, and Ken Griffey Jr.
Images for kids
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Pre-renovation scoreboard.
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