Canada’s Favourite Ballpark contest is here! Please vote for your favourite ballpark below. The ballpark that receives the most votes by July 18th at 10am ET will advance to the semi-final round.
Best of Luck to all ballparks!
PLAY BALL!
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1) Memorial Baseball Field – Charlottetown, PEI
Memorial Baseball Field is located in beautiful Victoria Park in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Vitoria Park was named in 1873, and has a long history of recreation and sport facilities.
On September 20, 1947, a baseball field and running track named “Memorial Field”, which was dedicated in honor of the PEI athletes, who sacrificed their lived in World War I & II.
Two softball fields were built in the 1970’s opposite Memorial Field.
In 2007 & 2008 Memorial Field received major upgrades, including the infield being converted to a grass infield, addition of an electronic scoreboard and the construction an announcer’s booth.
Memorial Field has played host to numerous tournaments/events over the years, with the most recent national tournaments including the 2008 National Baseball Championships and the 2009 Canada Games.
Currently, the following teams call Memorial Field their home field: 2 midget teams, 3 KCBL teams, PEI Youth Selects, and the Charlottetown Islanders.
2) James Donaldson Field – Grand Forks, BC
James Donaldson was a citizen of Grand Forks, BC back in the 1930s. Kids in his neighbourhood needed a place to play baseball. He offered his property and armed with shovels and rakes the rocks and weeds were cleared away. This generous man died in 1961 but Jim had bequeathed his field to the City of Grand Forks. How fitting that in 1969 the Grand Forks Mets won the BC Junior baseball championship in the ballpark bearing his name.
An annual baseball tournament commenced. In 1981 lights were installed; in 1987 a new grandstand was built; the event continued to grow. Teams came from Canada and major US cities, providing outstanding baseball on a field that was exceptionally manicured by volunteers. Japan made its debut in 1987. Taiwan, Russia and China would follow. And this year for the first time Australia will be part of the Grand Forks International. Talk about a favourite ballpark!
This beautiful facility, located in the heart of the community, has hosted incredible athletes with no less than 35 going on to play in the Major Leagues.
The ballpark is also used by Babe Ruth, High School and Senior Men’s teams.
3) Seaman Stadium – Okotoks, AB
“Canada’s Favourite Ballpark” has to be Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alberta. What makes Seaman Stadium unique is that it is a $10M, state of the art facility including a year round training center (“Duvernay Fieldhouse”), new midget diamond (“Tourmaline Field”) and 2 Bantam sized diamonds, all 100% non-profit and dedicated to amateur and youth baseball. There is nothing like Seaman Stadium in the world!
Seaman Stadium is the centerpiece of summer activities in the area. More than 4000 fans (20% of the population) attended the Canada Day 2010 Dawgs game. An average of 2223 fans, (10% of population) attend every Dawgs’ game. Dawgs support 100’s of charities and youth groups. Dawgs Baseball at Seaman Stadium raised more than $85,000 for Breast Cancer and was recognized by Baseball America as North America’s “Top Community Project”.
Seaman Stadium was featured in the Globe & Mail, Sportsnet, Ballpark Business, and various Alberta media.
One visual demonstration of why Seaman Stadium has to be “Canada’s Favourite Ballpark”. The “Our Town” video includes participation of local organizations in the community, including the Mayor of Okotoks, the Rotary Club, Okotoks Minor Baseball, police, firemen, emergency services, elementary and high schools…the list goes on.
4) Emslie Field – St. Thomas, ON
Emslie Field is one of the greatest baseball diamonds within Southwestern Ontario and has been an important facility for St. Thomas since 1898. Located in beautiful Pinafore Park, this Historical Designation is a lit field within a gorgeous natural setting with a Carolinian Woodlot as a backdrop. Emslie Field also features an audience grandstand and bleachers, accessible comfort station, picnic facilities and a concession stand.
Emslie Field is one of the largest attractions to Pinafore Park, drawing large crowds to the St. Thomas Tomcats Junior Inter-County League’s home games as well as to the London & District Baseball Association and St. Thomas Minor Baseball Association games. Emslie Field has been host to several Minor Baseball tournaments, Ontario Baseball Association Championships and coaching clinics.
Emslie Field was named after Bob Emslie who was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1859 yet called St. Thomas his hometown. Bob Emslie was an outstanding curve ball pitcher, who played in the Major Leagues, playing majority of his career with Baltimore Orioles (1883-1885). His career ended in 1887 as a result of a sore arm. After umpiring in the National League for 32 years, Bob became the Umpire-In-Chief. Bob died in St. Thomas at the age of 84 but was later named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. Although Bob has passed on, Emslie Field remains a large part of St. Thomas. Emslie Field is truly a gem.
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