The Ballpark at Harbor Yard

Infobox_Baseball_Stadium
stadium_name = The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
nickname = Harbor Yard


location = 500 Main Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
broke_ground =
opened = May 21, 1998
closed =
demolished =
owner = City of Bridgeport, Connecticut
operator = Bridgeport Bluefish
surface = grass | construction_cost = $ 19 million
architect =
tenants = Bridgeport Bluefish (1998-present)
Bridgeport Barrage (2001-2003)
Sacred Heart University Pioneers
seating_capacity = 5,300
dimensions = Left Field: 325 ft (99.06 m)

Center Field: 405 ft (123.444 m)

Right Field: 325 ft (99.06 m)

The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a 5,300-seat baseball-only stadium in Bridgeport, Connecticut that hosted its first regular season baseball game on May 21, 1998, as the tenants of the facility, the Bridgeport Bluefish, lost to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The stadium is located next to the Arena at Harbor Yard. It was named "Harbor Yard" as a subliminal reference to the Baltimore Orioles' ballpark, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was the home field of the Bridgeport Barrage of Major League Lacrosse from 2001 to 2003. The Barrage relocated to Philadelphia after the 2003 season.

Harbor Yard hosted two different All-Star games in its history: the first MLL All-Star Game in 2001, and the 2006 Atlantic League All-Star Game.

History

The Ballpark at Harbor Yard opened on May 21, 1998 on the site of the former Jenkins Valve factory, with the success of the Bridgeport Bluefish paving the way for progress in the city of Bridgeport. Improvements to the Bridgeport waterfront in the past few years have included the creation of the Arena at Harbor Yard in October 2001, and the Transit Parking Garage. The demolition of the Pequonnock apartment buildings in 2002 improved the parking situation for fans attending games at the Ballpark, as well as for other places in Bridgeport. The Ballpark and the Arena are accredited for revitalizing the city into a prosperous waterfront attraction and destination. [cite web | title=History of the Ballpark at Harbor Yard | work=Bridgeport Bluefish | url=http://www.bridgeportbluefish.com/history.html | accessdate=January 2 | accessyear=2007]

The Ballpark at Harbor Yard was constructed in between 1997 and 1998, and its $19 million price tag was funded through public and team contributions. It has a seating capacity of 5,300, with room for 200 more fans for sold-out games. The name Harbor Yard was an idea that co-founder Jack McGregor had in a homage to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Believing that Harbor Yard would be one of the important pieces of Bridgeport's renewal, McGregor chose the name to refer to Baltimore's renewal by Camden Yards. The Ballpark occupies an area once home to some of Bridgeport's most notable homes and industries. Before the Ballpark at Harbor Yard was constructed, the site was occupied by the Jenkins Valve Corporation and Sprague Meter Company.

Ballpark Attractions

* Hi-Ho D'Addario Kids' Cove-Provides entertainment for children with a various equipment.
* Party Suite-A suite for staging birthday parties or other special occasions.
* People's Bank Marina-An all-you-can-eat ballpark buffet.
*The Harbor Club-A restaurant that serves an upscale ballpark menu in a relaxing atmosphere.

References

External links

* [http://www.bridgeportbluefish.com/ballpark_atoz.html The Ballpark at Harbor Yard]
* [http://www.ballparkreviews.com/bport/bport.htm Ballpark Reviews' visit to The Ballpark at Harbor Yard]

succession box
title = Home of the Bridgeport Bluefish
years = 1998 – present
before = None
after = Current