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 |
| 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 seats for 5,500 fans. The stadium opened on May 21, 1998. It was home to the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team. They played in the Atlantic League. The stadium was located right next to the Webster Bank Arena.
The name "Harbor Yard" was chosen to sound like Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. This was because both stadiums helped bring new life to their cities. The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was located by the Long Island Sound. It was easy to reach from major roads and train lines. The city decided to close the stadium in 2017. It was then changed into an outdoor concert venue. The Bluefish baseball team moved to a new city.
History of the Ballpark at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard opened its doors on May 21, 1998. It was built where an old factory used to be. The stadium and the nearby Webster Bank Arena helped make Bridgeport a popular place to visit. They brought new energy to the city's waterfront area.
Building the ballpark cost about $19 million. This money came from both public funds and the baseball team. The stadium was designed to hold 5,500 people. One of the team's founders, Jack McGregor, believed the ballpark would help Bridgeport grow. He named it "Harbor Yard" to connect it with Baltimore's successful Camden Yards area.
From 2001 to 2003, the Ballpark at Harbor Yard was also home to a lacrosse team. This team was called the Bridgeport Barrage. 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 a special award. It was named the "2009 Atlantic League Park of the Year." This award recognized it as the best park in the league that year.
On August 8, 2017, the city announced that the Bluefish team's lease would not be renewed. This meant the 2017 season would be their last at the ballpark. The stadium was planned to become a concert venue. It would host many events each year. The Bluefish played their final game there on September 17, 2017. The stadium officially closed after that game. Work began in 2018 to turn it into a concert space.
All-Star Games Hosted at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was chosen to host several important games. It held four All-Star games during its time. The first Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game took place there in 2001. The ballpark also hosted the Atlantic League All-Star games in 1999, 2006, and 2015. These games brought many fans and players to Bridgeport.
Fun Things to Do at the Ballpark
The ballpark offered many things for fans to enjoy. There were places to buy classic stadium food. Two restaurants also served meals. The People's Bank Marina offered an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Harbor Club was a restaurant with a more special menu.
Kids visiting the ballpark had their own special area. The United Way Kids' Cove had playground equipment. It was a fun spot for younger fans to play. There was also a party suite available. This was a great place for birthday parties and other celebrations.
In 2015, a new area was added for adults. It was called the Two Roads Beer Garden. This section was sponsored by a local brewery from Stratford, Connecticut.
