The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
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| The Ballpark at Harbor Yard | |
|---|---|
| "Harbor Yard" | |
| Location | 500 Main Street Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604 |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Owner | City of Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Operator | Bridgeport Bluefish |
| Construction cost | $ 19 million |
| Tenants | Bridgeport Bluefish (1998-present) Bridgeport Barrage (2001-2003) Sacred Heart University Pioneers |
| Capacity | 5,300 |
| Field dimensions | Left Field: 325 ft (99.06 m)
Center Field: 405 ft (123.444 m) Right Field: 325 ft (99.06 m) |
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a 5,300-seat baseball-only stadium in Bridgeport, Connecticut that opened on May 28, 1998 with a loss to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The stadium is the home of the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team and is located next to the Arena at Harbor Yard. It was named "Harbor Yard" as a subliminal reference to the Baltimore Orioles' ballpark, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was the home field of the Bridgeport Barrage of Major League Lacrosse from 2001 to 2003. The Barrage relocated to Philadelphia after the 2003 season.
Harbor Yard hosted two different All-Star games in its history: the first MLL All-Star Game in 2001, and the 2006 Atlantic League All-Star Game.
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[edit] History
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard opened on May 21, 1998 on the site of the former Jenkins Valve factory, with the success of the Bridgeport Bluefish paving the way for progress in the city of Bridgeport. Improvements to the Bridgeport waterfront in the past few years have included the creation of the Arena at Harbor Yard in October 2001, and the Transit Parking Garage. The demolition of the Pequonnock apartment buildings in 2002 improved the parking situation for fans attending games at the Ballpark, as well as for other places in Bridgeport. The Ballpark and the Arena are accredited for revitalizing the city into a prosperous waterfront attraction and destination.[1]
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was constructed in between 1997 and 1998, and its $19 million price tag was funded through public and team contributions. It has a seating capacity of 5,300, with room for 200 more fans for sold-out games. The name Harbor Yard was an idea that co-founder Jack McGregor had in a homage to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Believing that Harbor Yard would be one of the important pieces of Bridgeport's renewal, McGregor chose the name to refer to Baltimore's renewal by Camden Yards. The Ballpark occupies an area once home to some of Bridgeport's most notable homes and industries. Before the Ballpark at Harbor Yard was constructed, the site was occupied by the Jenkins Valve Corporation and Sprague Meter Company.
[edit] Ballpark Attractions
- Hi-Ho D'Addario Kids' Cove-Provides entertainment for children with a various equipment.
- Party Suite-A suite for staging birthday parties or other special occasions.
- People's Bank Marina-An all-you-can-eat ballpark buffet.
- The Harbor Club-A restaurant that serves an upscale ballpark menu in a relaxing atmosphere.
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is located on the south side of Bridgeport and is bordered by Ferry Access Road to the east and to the south, Broad Street to the west, and Main Street and South Frontage Road to the north.
[edit] References
- ^ History of the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Bridgeport Bluefish. Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by None |
Home of the Bridgeport Bluefish 1998 – present |
Succeeded by Current |
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