The Ballpark at Harbor Yard facts for kids
| Harbor Yard | |
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Ballpark exterior on opening day of the Bluefish's 2012 season
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| Location | 500 Main Street Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604 |
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| Coordinates | 41°10′19″N 73°11′15″W / 41.17194°N 73.18750°W |
| Public transit |  Bridgeport |
| Owner | City of Bridgeport |
| Operator | Bridgeport Bluefish |
| Capacity | 5,500 |
| Field size | Left field: 325 feet (99 m) Center field: 405 feet (123 m) Right field: 325 feet (99 m) |
| Surface | grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | May 21, 1998 |
| Closed | September 17, 2017 |
| Construction cost | $19 million |
| Tenants | |
| Bridgeport Bluefish (ALPB) 1998–2017 Bridgeport Barrage (MLL) 2001–2003 Sacred Heart Pioneers (NCAA) 2001–2017 Bridgeport Purple Knights (NCAA) 1998–2017 |
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The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was a baseball stadium in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It had 5,500 seats and opened on May 21, 1998. The stadium was right next to the Total Mortgage Arena. Its name, "Harbor Yard," was inspired by Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
The ballpark was located on Bridgeport's Long Island Sound waterfront. It was surrounded by Interstate 95 and a train line. The city decided not to continue its agreement with the Bluefish baseball team. The stadium closed after the 2017 baseball season. It has since been changed into an outdoor concert venue. This new venue is called the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater.
The Ballpark's History
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard opened on May 21, 1998. It was built where an old factory used to be. In 2002, some apartment buildings were taken down. This made more parking available for fans coming to games. The Ballpark and the Total Mortgage Arena helped make Bridgeport's waterfront a popular place to visit.
The stadium was built between 1997 and 1998. It cost $19 million, paid for by the city and the baseball team. It could hold 5,500 people. One of the team's founders, Jack McGregor, believed the ballpark would help renew Bridgeport. He chose the name "Harbor Yard" to connect it to Baltimore's Camden Yards, which also helped renew its area.
From 2001 to 2003, the Bridgeport Barrage lacrosse team played their home games here. They were part of Major League Lacrosse. After the 2003 season, the Barrage team moved to Philadelphia.
In 2009, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball gave the ballpark an award. It was named the 2009 Atlantic League Park of the Year.
On August 8, 2017, the city announced that the Bluefish team's lease would not be renewed. This ended their 20 years at the ballpark. The Bluefish played their last home game on September 17, 2017. They lost 9–2 to the Somerset Patriots.
The old baseball stadium was then turned into a concert amphitheater. This new venue is called the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. Work on the amphitheater began in July 2018. It officially opened its doors on July 28, 2021.
All-Star Games Hosted
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard hosted four All-Star games. It held the first ever Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game in 2001. It also hosted the Atlantic League All-Star games in 1999, 2006, and 2015.
Fun Things to Do
The park had places to buy food, like traditional ballpark snacks. There were also two restaurants. The People's Bank Marina offered an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Harbor Club restaurant served fancier ballpark food.
Kids could play on playground equipment at the United Way Kids' Cove. There was also a special party room for birthday parties and other events.
For the 2015 season, the Bluefish added the Two Roads Beer Garden. This was sponsored by the Two Roads Brewery from Stratford, Connecticut.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I baseball venues
