This
legendary land may lack an appropriate name and seem like the second-class
citizen in a neighborhood that includes the Yale Bowl, Class of 1954 Field, across the street,
but Yale Field has a proud tradition that has produced legendary figures
and historical events. What once was part of an apple orchard and farm,
purchased by the school in 1882, is now a baseball field of major league
proportions.
The Bulldogs have been playing on this land since 1902, when it was
just an open field with a few bleachers. In 1927, Yale began construction
on a concrete and steel structure that would cost approximately a half
million dollars. There were bleachers along the outfield foul lines
that allowed an overall seating capacity of 12,000 at Yale Field. The
bleachers were removed when the Yale-Harvard games traditionally held
on reunion weekend were discontinued in the 1960s. Most of the grandstand
stood in its original form until four years ago when the project to
produce the current stadium began.
The first game at newly renovated Yale Field was in 1928 and pitted
the Bulldogs against the Eastern League New Haven Professionals. The
first ball was thrown out by Mayor Tower of New Haven, and the pros
blanked the home team, 12-0. This wasn't the only time professional
teams played there; Major League teams played games at Yale before and
during World War II.
The pine trees that line the outfield fence, which have been in place
for about 13 years, gave the old Yale Field the look of a stadium. The
tops of the trees are still visible, but the signage and taller home
run fence also provide a stadium-like atmosphere.
The 35-foot, green, metal scoreboard in centerfield was likely built
some time after play began at the renovated field in 1928, and it has
certainly has seen a few titanic shots since then. Like fish-catching
stories, tales of the great home runs clouted at Yale Field are difficult
to substantiate, though Dan Thompson '96 did crack one long ball far
beyond the scoreboard in the 1995 Ivy League playoffs.
Babe Ruth once remarked that the playing surface at Yale Field was
the best he had ever seen, and not much of it changed during the renovation.
The only alterations made were the shortening of the right field fence
from 340 feet to 315 and the reduction of foul territory down the right
field line. The dimensions are now (from left to right): 330-375-405-375-315.
This past off season, the infield was redone making it among the best
in the nation.
Yale Field has been the site of many historic games for the Bulldog
nine. The 1981 NCAA Northeast Regionals took place there, and the 11-inning
thriller between future Major League Baseball stars Frank Viola of St.
John's and Yale's Ron Darling was one of the most famous collegiate
contests of all time. It was May 21, 1981, when the Eastern League champions
played host to the Redmen, who won the game by a 1-0 count. Darling
fired hitless baseball for 11 consecutive and scoreless innings, until
the visitors finally broke up the no-hitter in the 12th stanza, which
would eventually turn into the game-winning run on a double steal.
This collegiate baseball cathedral, now on its way to attaining similar
professional status, has hosted numerous commencement days, high school
and American Legion playoff games and other special events, but the
most talked about afternoon on this land may have been the day Ruth
came to town. The Bambino came to Yale in 1948 to present a copy of
his autobiography to captain George Bush, the now former United States
President, for the Yale Library. It was one of the Babe's last public
appearances.
Legends do live at Yale Field, and the current Bulldogs look to perpetuate
these legends and encourage new ones.
