Labatt Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Labatt Memorial Park

Former names	Tecumseh Park
Location	London, Ontario, Canada
Owner	City of London
Capacity	5,200
Field size	330 ft (100 m) down the lines; 402 ft (123 m) to centre field
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	May 3, 1877
Renovated	1883, 1937, 1950s (side stands), 1989 (added more side stands), 2001
Construction cost	2000 (new Grandstand): $1.97-million
Architect	Tillman Ruth Mocellin
Tenants
London Tecumsehs, International Association (1877–1878; 1888–1890) London Alerts (1897, 1899) London Cockneys, International League (1899,1908) London Cockneys, Canadian League (1911) London Tecumsehs, Canadian League (1912–1915) London Tecumsehs, Michigan–Ontario League (1919–1924) London Indians, Michigan–Ontario League (1925) London Majors, Intercounty Baseball League (1925–present) London Tecumsehs, Ontario League (1930) London Pirates, PONY League (1940–1941) London Tigers, Eastern League (1989–1993) London Werewolves, Frontier League (1999–2001) London Monarchs, Canadian Baseball League (2003) Western Mustangs Baseball Club (2006–present) London Rippers, Frontier League (2012)

Labatt Memorial Park (once called Tecumseh Park, from 1877 to 1936) is a famous baseball stadium in London, Ontario, Canada. It's located near where the Thames River splits. The park is about 8.7 acres in size and has 5,200 seats. It has a natural grass field, with home plate 402 feet from center field and 330 feet from left and right field lines. Today, it's home to the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League and the Western Mustangs baseball team.

Labatt Park is known as the "oldest continually operating baseball grounds in the world." Its history goes all the way back to 1877. Since December 31, 1936, the City of London has owned Labatt Park.

Early Days at the Riverforks

Before it became Tecumseh Park in 1877, the area where Labatt Park now stands was likely a grassy common space. People probably used it for fun games and activities. Baseball itself has roots in this area. The game, which came from the British game of rounders, might have arrived from nearby Beachville, Ontario. That's where the world's first recorded baseball game was played in 1838.

The London Tecumsehs Baseball Club

The London Tecumsehs Baseball Club started in 1868. This led to the creation of Tecumseh Park in 1877. The first game at the new park was on May 3, 1877. The London Tecumsehs played their junior team, the London Atlantics, and won 5-1. People at the time said the new park was "the most complete" in Canada.

On May 24, 1877, a huge crowd of 8,000 fans watched the National League champions, the Boston Red Stockings, play the London Tecumsehs. Even with their star pitcher, Fred Goldsmith, the Tecumsehs narrowly lost 7-6.

The park was named Tecumseh Park by London merchant W. J. Reid. It was named after Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. He fought with the British during the War of 1812 and died nearby in 1813.

Star Players and Big Games

Jacob Englehart, who owned the Tecumsehs, brought professional players from the U.S. These included pitcher Fred Goldsmith. Many believe Goldsmith helped invent the curveball. Goldsmith's "skew ball" pitching helped the Tecumsehs win many games.

In 1877, the Tecumsehs joined the International Association. They defeated the Pittsburgh Allegheny 5-2 to win the league championship. More than 6,000 people watched this game, even though the park was built for only 600!

The Tecumsehs later had financial problems and stopped playing in 1878. But they came back in 1888 and 1889. Famous players like Patsy Donovan played for them.

After 1920, the Tecumsehs played at the park again. Charlie Gehringer, who later became a star for the Detroit Tigers, played for them from 1921 to 1924. He was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1920, the London Tecumsehs were ranked among the Top 100 Minor League Baseball Teams of all time.

On September 15, 1920, the Detroit Tigers, with legendary player Ty Cobb, played an exhibition game against the Tecumsehs. The Tigers won 5-4. In 1920, the Tecumsehs led their league in attendance, with over 100,000 people watching them play.

In 1921, the Pittsburgh Pirates played an exhibition game against the Tecumsehs. The Pirates' manager, George (Mooney) Gibson, was from London. He even caught the first inning of the game! The Tecumsehs went on to win the Michigan-Ontario Baseball League championship that year.

George (Mooney) Gibson: A Local Hero

George Gibson baseball card, 1911

One of the first stars from Tecumseh Park was George Gibson. He was a bricklayer from London West who became a catcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and won the World Series in 1909 against Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers. When he returned home, over 5,000 fans greeted him!

Gibson played in the Major Leagues until 1918. He was known for his strong throwing arm and for helping young pitchers. He later managed the Pirates and the Chicago Cubs. In 1958, he was the first baseball player elected to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Park Changes and Floods

Tecumseh Park was damaged by a flood from the Thames River in 1883. The flood destroyed the original grandstands. After the flood, a new grandstand was built, and home plate was moved to its current spot.

The park was also used for other events. Starting in 1892, it hosted professional bicycle races. In 1895, it was the site of London's first-ever motion picture display. Baseball continued to be played there by various London teams. In the 1940s, lights were installed for night games.

Trailblazers and Negro League Players

Labatt Park (then Tecumseh Park) often hosted barnstorming Negro teams from the U.S. A famous visit was by the legendary African-American pitcher Satchel Paige in 1954. He played an exhibition game against the House of David baseball team.

After Jackie Robinson broke the "colour barrier" in baseball in 1947, many talented players from the Negro leagues played in the Senior Intercounty Baseball League. These players, like Ted Alexander, Wilmer Fields, and Jimmy Wilkes, often played at Labatt Park in the 1950s.

Historic Baseball Guides

Front cover to Bryce's Base Ball Guide 1876, published in London, Ont.

Baseball socks for sale in Bryce's Base Ball Guide 1876

In 2002, two very old baseball guides were found: Bryce's Base Ball Guide 1876 and Bryce's Base Ball Guide 1877. These small, hand-colored books were published by William Bryce of London, Ontario. They are considered the first important publications about Canadian baseball. William Bryce had a small share in the Tecumsehs team. Even U.S. President George W. Bush showed interest in these books during a visit to Canada in 2004.

Tecumseh Park Becomes Labatt Park

Another big flood hit the Thames River in 1937, damaging the park again. The Labatt Brewing Company helped by donating $10,000 to fix the park. They also gave the park to the City of London on December 31, 1936. As part of the deal, the park had to remain a public sports park forever and be renamed "The John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park." This name change showed how businesses like Labatt were becoming very important in the community.

London's Baseball Stars

Many London players who started at Labatt Park went on to play in the Major Leagues. These include Frank Colman and Tom (Tim) Burgess.

Frank Colman started with the London Winery team in 1936. He won the Most Valuable Player award and the league championship. He later played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees, even rooming with famous catcher Yogi Berra. After his Major League career, Colman bought the London Majors and won more championships. He also helped start the Eager Beaver Baseball Association (EBBA) for young players in London.

Tom Burgess signed a professional contract in 1946. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels. After his playing career, Burgess worked as a manager, coach, and instructor for many Major League Baseball teams. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Wartime Baseball and Champions

During World War II, Labatt Park was home to women's baseball and softball teams, like the London Supremes. The London Army Team also won the Canadian Sandlot title in 1943 and 1944.

After the war, the London Majors won the Canadian Sandlot Congress in 1947 and the Can-Am Baseball Congress championship in 1948. They also won Canadian, Ontario, and Intercounty titles.

Famous Pitchers at Labatt Park

In 1974, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Denny McLain played a season for the London Majors at Labatt Park. He mostly played home games and even hit two home runs in one game!

After his amazing Major League career, Fergie Jenkins, another Cy Young Award winner, pitched for the London Majors in 1984-85. Jenkins is one of the few players to be in both the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Professional Teams and Park Upgrades

Professional baseball returned to London in 1989 with the London Tigers, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Before their first season, Labatt Park received many improvements, including new lights, dressing rooms, and a large electronic scoreboard. In 1990, Labatt Park won the "Beam Clay Award" for having the best natural-grass field in North America!

The 1990 London Tigers won their league championship. However, the team moved after the 1993 season. The park was even considered for filming the 1992 movie A League of Their Own, but it didn't work out with the Tigers' schedule.

From 1999 to 2001, the London Werewolves of the Frontier League played at the park. They won the Frontier League championship in 1999. In 2001, the main grandstand was rebuilt, and a new underground irrigation system was installed. The park was then used for the Canada Summer Games.

In 2003, the London Monarchs played at Labatt Park. Their manager was former Major Leaguer Willie Wilson. The league's first game was held at Labatt Park and was even shown on TV!

A Busy Community Hub

Labatt Park has always been a busy place! Besides baseball, it has hosted soccer, fastball, softball, football, track and field, wrestling, boxing, and even winter skating. It's also been used for political rallies, horse showjumping, and special events like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride.

Today, the park is home to the London Majors and other youth and adult baseball teams. The UWO Mustangs Baseball Club also uses the park. They won the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) baseball title at Labatt Park in 2005 and 2006.

Did you know that Ted Giannoulas, also known as "The Famous Chicken" sports mascot, was born in London? He used to work part-time at Labatt Park changing the old manual scoreboard!

The Roy McKay Clubhouse

In 1996, the park's historic clubhouse was renamed the "Roy McKay Clubhouse." It honors Roy McKay, a longtime pitcher, manager, and coach for the London Majors. A special rock and bronze plaque were placed at the clubhouse entrance to remember him.

In 2005, a unique event happened at home plate: veteran baseball umpire Joe Serratore got married there! This was believed to be the first wedding at the ballpark.

Celebrating Labatt Park's History

On July 23, 2005, the City of London held a special event to celebrate its 150th anniversary and the park's long history. The day included a baseball clinic for kids, old-time baseball games, and displays of park history.

In September 2005, a series of funny "Got Milk?" TV commercials were filmed at Labatt Park. These commercials made fun of the steroid scandal in Major League Baseball. They showed players getting "caught" using milk as a "performance-enhancing substance."

Labatt Park was also featured in the 2006–2007 Roadway Express baseball calendar. It was one of three parks highlighted in the "Times of Greatness" calendar, which also supports the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

On Canada Day 2006, London held its second annual Baseball Day. It featured a baseball clinic, historical displays, a vintage baseball game, and a doubleheader between the London Majors and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"World's Oldest Baseball Diamond"

London Majors' SS Mike Ambrose (left) and first-team-all-star Kyle Piwowarczyk (2B) at the historic Roy McKay Clubhouse at Labatt Park on Canada Day 2006. PHOTO: Stephen Harding.

For many years, there was a debate about whether Labatt Park or Fuller Field in Clinton, Massachusetts, was the "world's oldest continually used baseball diamond." Fuller Field was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for a while. However, in September 2008, Labatt Park replaced Fuller Field in the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Oldest Baseball Diamond." As of 2016, Guinness's online record still states Labatt Park.

On May 30, 1994, London City Council officially recognized Labatt Park as an historic site. A special plaque was unveiled at the park's gates on Canada Day 1994. This happened after a group of volunteers called The Friends of Labatt Park worked hard to promote and protect the ballpark's history.

See also

• Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park in the United States