By Savanah Eve Stewart, age 12

Today I got to visit Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  It is the oldest ballpark in America.  We were there to celebrate the 13th year of the Rickwood Classic.  It was loud and the air was filled with excitement and anticipation of the game.  I was thrilled to spend the day with my best friend Leah Street, my mom and my dad.
I have had the opportunity to go to the Rickwood Classic for the past 6 years.  My dad, Chuck Stewart always brings his vast collection of the Birmingham Barons and Rickwood Field memorabilia to put on display.  It is extremely interesting to see what he and other collectors will bring every year.
This was Leah’s first baseball game, ever!  So, I had the opportunity to show her around.  We sat in the stands behind home plate and watched the beginning of the game.  The teams that played were the Birmingham Barons and the Jacksonville Suns.  The players were dressed in uniforms from the early 1950’s.  The umpires were all dressed in white dress shirts, dress pants, caps, and bow ties.  Near the 6th inning my dad, Leah and I climbed the old wooden stairs that led to the roof at Rickwood Field and watched the game.  It was incredible.  You could see everything from up there.  My dad pointed out to us where the stands at one time were segregated and where it was once divided.  Thank goodness those days are in the past.
At the end of the game I had the chance to interview David Brewer.  He is the director of the “Friends of Rickwood .”  These are the questions that I got to ask him…
1.    When was Rickwood Field built and by whom?
“It was built in August 1910 and by a local businessman named Rick Woodward.”
2.      Who are some famous players that have played on this field?
“Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Piersal, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Micky Mantle, and Reggie Jackson to just name a few.” 
3.    What can children learn about the history of Rickwood Field?
“People can learn a lot by just looking at the ballpark.”  “It is not only about the baseball but what Birmingham and the community as a whole has been through the past 98 years.”  “It is extremely important for everyone that we keep this historical landmark going on for future generations to learn from.”
4.    What is your favorite part of being involved with Rickwood?
“In college I majored in history but did not want to be just a teacher or professor.”  “I wanted to be a “historian” but in a fun way.”  “Working at Rickwood has given me that opportunity.”
5.    When did the Rickwood Classic start?
“It began in 1996 and we are celebrating the 13th year though there have actually been 14 classics in all.”  “One year we had a rain out and we had two classics in one year.”
6.    Do you think that there will ever be a museum built for Rickwood?
“It is possible and definitely on the “to do” list.”  “ The main reason that one has not been built yet is due to lack of money.”  “It costs a lot of money for the upkeep and maintenance of the park and as of now we have been unsuccessful in raising enough money to do that.”

After talking with Mr. Brewer I thanked him for his time and all the information he gave me about Rickwood Field.  As my dad packed up and the ballpark emptied there was an eerie silence there as Leah and I walked out onto the field.  We both knew we were walking where many famous ball players had played the all American favorite pastime of baseball and we too were now a part of the history here.