Latest news with #FriendsofRickwood
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Accessibility upgrades coming to Rickwood Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The city of Birmingham is investing $900,000 into Rickwood Field. The city said the money will be used to make the facility more accessible. According to the Gerald Watkins, the executive director of the Friends of Rickwood, the ballpark was grandfathered into not having to meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Now, it's choosing to make upgrades thanks to support from the city and in anticipation of some big games that are coming up. New regulations for hemp businesses could soon happen across Alabama if bill becomes law He said these are necessary upgrades that make sure everyone can enjoy baseball at Rickwood Field. 'We want the ballpark to be seen by as many people as possible, and we don't want those with special needs to have difficulties here,' Watkins said. 'So we are really happy those things are going to happen and as we come up on a very ambitious summer. We are going to have the SWAC tournament next week. We have the Barons coming back June 4 to play the Trash Pandas, the World Police and Fire Games, and we have the East-West Game.' There's no timetable for when these improvements will be made, but Watkins said temporary improvements will be made for events in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former MLB players play at Greystone to help preserve Rickwood Field
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — Over 20 former MLB players hit the golf course to help preserve the nation's oldest existing professional ballpark. The Friends of Rickwood hosted the second annual Rickwood Field Golf Classic on Monday. Dozens of golfers, including Willie Mays' son, played 18 holes at the Greystone Founders course. Some of the former big leaguers swinging clubs were Tim Hudson, Mike Mordecai and Kenny Lofton. Esquire piece on Alabama mayor who took his life after being outed for secret online life wins Pulitzer Prize Organizers said even though the event is young, word is getting out. 'People who had never heard of us before know of us,' said Gerald Watkins, the executive director of the Friends of Rickwood. 'So it's a lot easier sell, and we reached out to these players, and one of the benefits we have is the players had such a good time last year. They're telling their friends.' Mays would have turned 94 on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
