Warren BallPark in Bisbee AZ
by Don Nelson
(Tucson, AZ)
Special thanks go out to Don Nelson for this quality contribution. Warren Ballpark is one of the old ballparks that lays claim to being the oldest that is still in use in the US. It was built in 1909 and is still used today.
The concrete grandstand of the Warren Ballpark which was built in 1909 and is located in the corner of Arizona Street and Ruppe Road in Bisbee, Az. The Warren Ballpark is one of the oldest professional baseball stadiums in the United States. It has hosted baseball Hall of Famers John McGraw, Connie Mack and Honus Wagner and also some of the members of the Chicago White Socks involved in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, such as Hal Chase, Chick Gandil and Buck Weaver.
This ball park played host to many Negro League Ball Clubs.These guys were playing baseball during the same time that Abraham Lincoln ran for President. Today the Bisbee Copper Kings ball club, a member of the Pacific Southwest Baseball League, makes Warren its home field. Although originally built in 1909, is still in its original condition, and is listed as a state historic building.
Warren Ballpark holds a special place in history for the Deportation of striking miners from Bisbee, Arizona, on July 12, 1917. The miners and others who have been rounded up are assembled at Warren Ballpark and are sitting in the bleachers while armed members of the posse stand in the infield. The Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament returns for its 9th year on April 7th and 8th, 2018.
During its hey-day the park played host to Hall of Fame baseball legends. John McGraw led his Giants into Bisbee for an exhibition game against the White Sox on November 7, 1913. The Giants beat the Sox 9-1 at Warren Ballpark. Olympic Gold Medalist Jim Thorpe crashed one of five home runs struck by the Giants in the game. The day before, New York beat Chicago 14-5 25 miles down the road in Douglas.
The Stadium was built by the Calumet and Arizona Mining Company and is said to predate Chicago's Wrigley Field. It is currently the home of the Bisbee Killer Termites and Bisbee High School Pumas baseball team. The ballpark was recently home of the Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings of the independent Arizona-Mexico League.
The website "www.friendsofwarrenballpark.com" provides some valuable research on the history of this park in Bisbee, Arizona, some of which was used here.