Historic Hicks Field facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hicks Field
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 111 E Freemason St, Edenton, North Carolina 27932 |
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| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Architect | Works Progress Administration |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001050 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1995 |
Hicks Field is a historic baseball stadium located in Edenton, North Carolina. It's a special place recognized for its history. Today, it's home to the John A. Holmes High School Aces. It also hosts the Edenton Steamers, a team in the Coastal Plain League.
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The Story of Hicks Field
Building a Community Ballpark
Hicks Field was built in 1939. It was a project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. Workers built many important structures, including this baseball field. The stadium is right next to John A. Holmes High School.
A Historic Landmark
In 1995, Hicks Field was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important site with a rich history. The main part of the stadium is a wooden grandstand with a roof. It was built to hold over 500 people. This grandstand is the oldest wooden one of its kind still standing in North Carolina.
Home to Many Teams
Over the years, Hicks Field has seen many baseball teams play. It hosted minor league and semi-pro teams. Minor league teams are professional teams that help players get ready for the major leagues. Semi-pro teams are made up of talented players who might also have other jobs.
Teams like the Edenton Colonials played here in 1951. The original Coastal Plain League also played at Hicks Field in 1952. The stadium was also a big part of the semi-pro Albemarle League. This league was known for great baseball from the 1930s onwards. It featured top local players and college stars.
Spring Training Spot
During the 1940s, Hicks Field was a popular place for spring training. This is when baseball teams practice before their regular season starts. Minor league teams from places like Binghamton, New York, and Reading, Pennsylvania, came to Edenton to get ready for their games.
Famous Players and Big Games
Many famous baseball players have played at Hicks Field. One of them was Bob Feller, a legendary pitcher. In 1946, a very exciting game happened here. An all-star team from the Albemarle League played against a team of major league all-stars. These major league players came from famous teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. Even though the local team lost, 4,500 fans watched an amazing game.
Hicks Field Today
Modern Upgrades for a Classic Field
In 1997, Hicks Field got a big makeover. The main grandstand was completely updated. Two new grandstands were added along the first and third baselines. New bathrooms were built, and a cool manual wooden scoreboard was put in right field. The outfield fence in left field was made taller, giving the stadium a feel similar to "Fenway Park." After these changes, Hicks Field could seat 1,200 people.
A Hub for Baseball
Since 1998, Hicks Field has been the home of the Edenton Steamers. They are part of the new Coastal Plain League, a summer league for college baseball players. The stadium also hosts Edenton-Holmes high school baseball games. American Legion Post 40 contests and various summer tournaments also take place here. In 2004, Baseball America magazine called Hicks Field the second-best summer collegiate baseball venue in the country.
