Regions Field Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Barons and the City of Birmingham held a special groundbreaking ceremony on February 2nd, 2012, commemorating the start of construction on Regions Field, the new downtown home of the Barons opening in 2013. The event was held on First Avenue South between 14th Street and 15th Street South across the street from Railroad Park. The two-hour event drew over 1,000 spectators including Barons fans, city officials, former Birmingham Black Barons players, Barons staff members, representatives of the ballpark development team, Regions Financial officials and distinguished speakers including Mayor William A. Bell Sr. and Barons Owner Don Logan.



The new Ballpark is part of a comprehensive plan to revitalize downtown Birmingham in tandem with Railroad Park and other area developments. The Barons will call downtown Birmingham home for the first time since 1987. Since 1996, the team has played one game a year in downtown Birmingham at Rickwood Field as part of the annual Rickwood Classic.


"The Barons family is excited to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Birmingham," said Barons Owner Don Logan. "Our family has been a part of the Birmingham community for over 40 years and we are proud to be a part of this new chapter in the city's history. We're thrilled to continue and expand our relationship with Regions," he added. "Throughout the process, they've understood the importance of corporate support in maintaining family affordable entertainment options for our community.""


"When designing the ballpark, we considered the unique heritage of Birmingham, from steel manufacturing to the civil rights movement to the city's rich baseball heritage," said Byron Chambers, director of sports design, HKS Sports & Entertainment Group. "We designed a ballpark that is distinctly Birmingham. It is not replicated in any other city around the world. The seating bowl is sited to enhance the fan experience and provide dramatic views to downtown and Railroad Park. The new ballpark offers fans a major league experience including suites, club seating, berm seating, picnic areas, a banquet hall, a left field home run porch and a 360 degree concourse."