Park Details

Address:	840 12th Street S Birmingham, AL 35233
Website:	https://uabsports.com/sports/2017/6/10/facilities-young-memorial-field-html

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Park Info

Young Memorial Field

Jerry D. Young Memorial Field, the on-campus home of the UAB baseball team, has served as the home of the Blazers since the 1984 season.

The facility was dedicated in honor of Dr. Jerry D. Young on April 18, 1985. A host of dignitaries, including Hall of Fame third baseman and former Baltimore Oriole great Brooks Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, were present for the dedication.

Young was an ardent supporter of UAB athletics, who served as the university's senior vice president for finance at the time of his death in 1983. He played a key role in the physical development of the UAB campus and the creation of the Blazers' athletic program and the development of the Sun Belt Conference.

The first game in the new facility was on Feb. 26, 1984, a 14-8 victory over Vanderbilt. Joey Cora of Vanderbilt got the first hit at Young Memorial Field, while Mike Goff of UAB got the first Blazer hit and homer at the new field. Former UAB assistant coach Frank Walton picked up the save for the Blazers.

Young Memorial Field was the host of the first Great Midwest Conference Championship (1992), as the Blazers won the league title on their home field.

Lights were installed at Young Memorial Field in 1993, with the first night game resulting in a 6-4 victory over Southern Miss on March 23, 1993.

Other additions to Young Memorial Field were the construction of the Harry “The Hat” Walker Press Box, dedicated March 4, 1997, which houses media members and game operations staff, and picnic tables and grills placed along the right field fence and along the outside of the field on the first base side.

One of the finest baseball surfaces in the South, Young Memorial Field is equipped with an underground sprinkler and drainage system, which helps to keep the playing surface in excellent condition throughout the year. The facility got a major overhaul in 1999, as the infield was re-graded and re-sodded and a new sound system was installed. Prior to the 2000 season, new fencing was added to the park in the bullpen areas. The concession area and umpires' room also were renovated.

A major cosmetic change was made in 2001 when a new wood outfield fence was completed just before the beginning of the season, replacing the chain-link fencing that had enclosed the field since 1984. The ballpark now has slightly larger dimensions, going 330 feet down the lines, 370 feet to the left center power alley, 400 feet to dead center field, and 360 feet to the right center power alley. In addition, the large “hitter's eye” in center field has been fused with the fence. The Young Memorial Field version of the "Green Monster" stands 30 feet high and 100 feet wide.

The park received a pair of upgrades for the 2010 season with the addition of a new state-of-the art scoreboard and the addition of covered hitting cages beyond the left field fence. The scoreboard, produced by industry leader Daktronics, provides additional information and video capabilities that feature LED technology while offering expanded inventory opportunities for corporate partners.