Get an exciting peek into Birmingham’s prominent role in baseball—here’s how

Sponsored

Attention baseball fans and batter up! On deck is Vulcan Park & Museum‘s latest exhibit, From Factory to Field: The Dream of Baseball in Birmingham, now-January, 7, 2022. It’s sure to be a grand slam. Here’s a look inside the exhibit.

Inside the Exhibit

So what’s the exhibit all about? Baseball, obviously, but also, so much more. From Factory to Field: The Dream of Baseball in Birmingham gives the Birmingham community an exciting look into the famed Black Barons and Barons.

Some things you’ll discover include:

• Early baseball with the Industrial League, club baseball and amateur league play
• The construction of Rickwood Field and the golden age years of baseball in Birmingham
• Great players + events from 1900-1950
• The Birmingham Black Barons + the 1948 Negro League World Series
• The Postwar + Modern Era with greats like Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan + Rollie Fingers

Event Details

When: Now-January 7, 2022
Time: Daily from 10AM-6PM
Where: Linn-Henley Gallery at Vulcan Park & Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
Price: Included in cost of admission. Adults (13+) – $6 | Seniors (65+)/Military – $5 | Kids (5-12) – $4 | Kids 2 + under – FREE

Awe-inspiring Artifacts

Thanks to the Board of the Friends of Rickwood and the Rickwood Field collection, the exhibit also includes countless artifacts that honor Alabama’s 12 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, including: 

• Hank Aaron
• Joe Sewell
• Mule Suttles
• Monte Irvin
• Satchel Paige
• Willie Mays
• And other greats

Their collection of rare artifacts hits it out of the park with priceless pieces like an autographed photo of baseball legend Willie Mays and a 1915 TCI League Championship team photo.

If you have your smartphone with you–and who doesn’t these days–you can pull up biographies on each inductee by using your phone’s QR code function. Just scan the exhibit code provided and ta-dah!, more stories behind the stories.

More to Experience

Make it a double-header during your visit to Vulcan Park and Museum by attending special one-time events throughout the year. Baseball buffs can delve deeper into America’s greatest pastime with an Alabama angle.

Mark your calendar for these events:

The Birmingham Barons: Pipeline to the Majors

• What: An informal talk/Q&A with Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. He’ll give a rundown of the big league talent who made their mark in Birmingham.  
• When: Monday, July 12, 3PM
• Where: Electra at Vulcan Park & Museum
• Price: Members – $8 | Nonmembers – $10
• Tickets

Homeplate Heroes 

• What: Young actors of Make it Happen Theatre Company take audiences on a tour of the Negro League baseball era during their production of Homeplate Heroes, written by Alicia Johnson-Williams and directed by LaShanna Tripp and Eric Marable.   
• When: Thursday, August 26, 6PM 
• Where: Electra at Vulcan Park & Museum
• Price: Members – $8 | Nonmembers – $10
• Tickets

Negro League Legends from Birmingham and Beyond

• What: Join panelists Larry Lester, Rich Megraw (moderator), Bill Plott, Larry Powell, Dr. Layton Revel + Lamar Smith as they discuss Negro Legends from Birmingham and beyond.
• When: Thursday, September 16, 2:30PM
• Where: Electra at Vulcan Park & Museum
• Price: Members – $8 | Nonmembers – $10
• Tickets

Hank Aaron, American Legend

• What: Baseball historian Rich Megraw discusses Hank Aaron’s storied career, his other major league records and how the experience of breaking Babe Ruth’s homerun record impacted his life.
• When: Thursday, November 18, 6PM
• Where: Electra at Vulcan Park & Museum
• Price: Members – $8 | Nonmembers – $10
• Tickets

Ready for a grand slam?

Then check out From Factory to Field: The Dream of Baseball in Birmingham, now-January 7, 2022, at the Linn-Henley Gallery at Vulcan Park & Museum.

From Factory to Field: The Dream of Baseball in Birmingham is sponsored in part by the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Birmingham City Councilor, District 3 – Valerie A. Abbott, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Rickwood Field and Birmingham Barons.

For even more happenings at Vulcan Park & Museum, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Sponsored by: