Rickwood Field outfield wall advertisements

The Rickwood Field outfield wall advertisements were originally part of the business operation of Rickwood Field during its heyday as home field for the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham Black Barons between 1910 and 1987.

The original ballpark, as planned by Rick Woodward in 1910 was intended to have no advertising on the walls, a feature he admired about Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The original outfield fence was brought closer to the plate in the early 1940s.

In 1992 an advance location team from Regency Enterprises scouted the then-dormant Rickwood Field as a possible location for a biographical feature film about Ty Cobb. Their interest spurred the formation of the Friends of Rickwood nonprofit to undertake the preservation and restoration of the stadium. They gathered enough funding to stabilize the property enough to allow for film production.

Los Angeles, California-based Graphic designer Ted Haigh prepared drawings for period-style advertisements on the outfield wall, many recognizing contributors to the preservation, which were executed by Skidmore Sign Company.

The resulting feature, entitled Cobb and starring Tommie Lee Jones opened in 1994. The stadium also served as a location for the 1995 HBO movie Soul of the Game, and 18 years later for 42, portraying Jackie Robinson's signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In order to make the field safe for Major League play, significant changes were made leading up to the MLB at Rickwood Field game in 2024. The orientation of the field was shifted slightly, the dugouts were rebuilt to be larger, and the outfield wall was covered with padding, onto which new vintage-style advertisements were printed. Also the "batter's eye" at center field was made much taller, with openings for television cameras. The overall design of exhibits, graphics and signage for the event was supervised by MLB Senior Creative Director Jason Yeadon, who sought to center the look of the 1940s and 1950s.

Signs

1993

A few signs are visible in photographs taken by Jet Lowe in spring 1993 for the Historic American Buildings Survey. The scoreboard is an electronically-operated type behind the outfield wall at left center, with advertisements for Coca-Cola, Sprite, and AmSouth Bank. The fence itself had panels recognizing Ramsay Rams, West End Lions, Ensley Yellow Jackets, the Birmingham Police Athletic League, and Birmingham Public Schools Athletics. One of the outfield light standards had an illustration of a "White Mountain Cooler" bottle.

Toward right field, another set of panels recognized the Parker Thundering Herd, Woodlawn Colonels, Phillips Indians, Jackson-Olin Mustangs, Huffman Vikings and Wenonah Dragons. A second smaller electronic scoreboard stood outside the right field wall, adjacent to the outfield stands. An outfield light standard at right advertised WVOK AM 690.

2009

At the time of the 2009 Rickwood Classic, the following outfield advertisements were in place, many originating in 1993–1994:

• outside of left field fence: "Bull Durham" painted in white letters on the green wall of the metal shed, along with a 1-color logo of a bull with the words "Smoking Tobacco" on its flank.
• between fence and left foul pole:
  • upper: "Woodward Iron Company" in turquoise block letters and peach-colored script on a brown background. An image of an iron furnace appeared, along with the slogan "Growing with Birmingham. Independent since 1883". Sponsored by the descendants of Rick Woodward.
  • lower: undecorated green padding and the "321" marker for the foul line length.
• adjacent to left foul pole:
  • upper: Fred Sington Sporting Goods in gray script and white block letters.
  • lower: 1st National Bank of Birmingham in white letters on a pale blue panel within a light blue field. The logo for successor AmSouth Bank appeared at upper right in blue. A slogan in white script letters "1st National Bank of Birmingham. Serving you since 1873" ran across the bottom.
• left part of field:
  • upper: Alabama Gas Corporation in blue and black lettering and the slogan "Great Chefs Cook with Gas!" in black script, accompanied by an image of a gas pole lantern on the left in black, and the Alagasco logo in blue at bottom right.
  • lower: Virginia College, a full color cartoon image of a city skyline with a ship and train in perspective. A gray "V" on a red shield for a logo on the left, and the slogan "Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce" in red script at top. The phone number "802-1200" was displayed as well.
• center part of left field:
  • upper: Coca-Cola, white lettering on a red field with "Drink Coca-Cola" featuring the brand's script logo at left and the slogan "Relieves Fatigue" in large white block letters at right.
  • lower: "Ever-Ready Safety Razors" with a central cartoon image in an oval of a smiling bald man with his whiskers covered with shaving foam, holding a safety razor. The offers "Razor Blades 8 for 40¢, Complete Outfit One Dollar" appeared at bottom in white letters.
• right part of left field: Rickwood Field scoreboard, topped by a clock and white lettering for Brown Service and Liberty National Life
• left part of center field:
  • upper: Liberty National Life in white script on a green banner over a yellow field, with an illustration of the Statue of Liberty and the slogan "Watching Over Yours!"
  • lower: "Compliments of Alabama Power Company" in black and red lettering on a maize field with an off-white border, accompanied by a depiction of the Reddy Kilowatt cartoon mascot and the slogan "Helping Develop Alabama"
• left center field:
  • upper: Sloss Industries Corporation in white letters on a black shape over a gray field, with the slogan "A Birmingham Tradition Since 1881" in black script below, flanked by "SIC" monograms and the slogan "Manufacturers of Chemicals, Foundry & Furnace Coke" on either side, along with the "www.sloss.com" web address, which then pointed to Walter Energy.
  • lower: undecorated green "batter's eye" with the "399" marker for left center field
• center field:
  • upper: no wall, U.S. flag on pole behind
  • lower: undecorated green "batter's eye" with the "383" marker for right center field
• right center field:
  • upper: "40 Million Drivers Trust State Farm" in black Roman letters on off-white with an orange border, an illustration of a 1920s automobile, and an orange logo for State Farm Insurance Co.
  • lower: "Ajax Tires" in faded red letters on a faded yellow background with an image of a spoked tire and the slogans "This is the Life" and "Home Run Each Trip" in black.
• between center and right field:
  • upper: "Grape Ola" in blue script over a pale blue field with an illustration of a soft drink bottle and the slogan "Proundly Served in this Stadium"
  • lower: American Cast Iron Pipe Company, including a shield with a field of blue with 13 white stars and 13 red and white vertical stripes below. The sign continued "Manufacturers Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings Birmingham, Alabama" with the words "Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings" over an illustration of a section of pipe in black and white.
• left part of right field:
  • upper: "The American Boy" Magazine, with the slogan "Where There's a Boy, There's a Family" and a drawing of a man and boy tossing a baseball.
  • lower: "Aromints: A Feast of Nectared Sweets" with an arrow through the logotype and an illustration of Aromints packages in peppermint and clove flavors and the slogan "Save Your Breath" in faded blue, red and black over a beige background.
• left-center part of left field
  • upper: The George F. Wheelock Co. Tinners, Roofers, Warm Air. Manufacturers & Distributors. Heating Supplies. Established 1888. In gold and red letters over a green field with a faded yellow frame suggesting a theater proscenium.
  • lower: "Hupmobile" with an illustration of a 1920s automobile and the slogan "Every trip A Home Run!" in blue and black over a beige field.
• center part of right field:
  • upper: The Tutwiler Hotel", "Birmingham's Finest" with an illustration of a couple in evening clothes with a top hat and a coat of arms in black and white over a pale blue field.
  • bottom: Mumm's Extra Rye Whiskey: Aged & Bonded" in pale purple letters over a faded olive background, with an illustration of a whisky bottle.
• right-center part of right field
  • upper: Princeton Baptist Hospital with "Princeton" in large outlined block letters in two shades of blue over a white field, and "Baptist Hospital 'On The Ball'" on a blue scroll below, with an illustration of a fielder's glove at the right side with a red and white target at center and the slogan "Hit it Here to Win".
  • lower left: Davis Architects, "Architecture and Design" in dark blue lettering over a peach-colored field with a stylized art-deco skyscraper illustration in white and blue.
  • lower right: A. H. Cather Publishing Company in black lettering on an olive field, with "Printers & Publishers" and "Established 1913" in frames to either side of a "CPCo." monogram in a red oval at center.
• right field
  • upper: no wall, outfield stands beyond
  • lower:
• right field:
  • upper:
  • lower: Budweiser in white letters over a red field with the slogan "Preferred Everywhere" and the A with an eagle logo above and "Lager Beer, Anheuser-Busch Inc. St Louis" below.
• rightmost section of right field:
  • upper: no wall, outfield stands beyond
  • lower: "Burma-Shave" in white script and the slogan "No Brush - No Lather" in white block letters below, over a green field, with the "332" marker for the foul line length.

2010

Changes for 2010 included:

• center part of left field:
  • lower: "It's Nice to Have You in Birmingham" in white letters over a black field, with an image of the Vulcan statue appearing to break out of a baseball like a chick from an egg.
• left part of right field
  • lower: U.S. Steel in black letters over a beige field with brown stripes top and bottom. An illustration of a throw to home plate with a sliding runner and the slogan "on the job, off the job, Play It Safe!"
• left-center part of left field
  • lower: "Rickwood Field" in white letters and "Home of the Birmingham Black Barons 1920-1963. Home of the Birmingham Barons 1910-1987" in black over a green field, flanked by an illustration of a Birmingham Black Barons cap on the left with yellow pennants with the years 1943, 1944, and 1948; and a Birmingham Barons cap on the right with yellow pennants with the years 1912, 1914, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1958, 1967, 1983, and 1987.
• rightmost section of right field:
  • lower: "Pizitz of Birmingham" logo in black on a light gray field with a tag line below "Now the city's preferred office space location downtown. For information call 205-939-3111"

2012

Changes between 2011 and 2012 included:

• adjacent to left foul pole:
  • lower: "Mobilgas" in white letters over a purple field, the Mobilgas logo with its Pegasus mark, and the slogan "New Grade of Gasoline" in white letters over a red stripe at bottom.
• left part of field:
  • lower: "Esquire Shoe Polish" in white letters over a green field, and "A Knomark Product" in white on a purple stripe at bottom.
• left part of right field:
  • upper: "Ready Brushes" in red and white letters over a black field
  • lower: "Make it clear... make it Schaefer" in white letters over a red field. (1951 slogan for F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Co.)

2015

Changes made before 2015 included:

• outside of left field fence:
  • a batting building, incorporating brick salvaged from demolition of the Birmingham Southern Railroad freight depot, replaced the metal shed.
• adjacent to left foul pole:
  • lower: The 1st National Bank of Birmingham as was again visible
• left part of field:
  • lower: The Virginia College ad was again visible
• center part of right field:
  • lower: Slaughter Group with an illustration of a sectioned pig and the slogans "Clean & Friendly", and "Fresh Brands Cut Daily" in white letters over a black background.

2016

Changes made before 2015 included:

• left part of field:
  • lower: Levy's Fine Jewelry in gold letters over a black background
• center part of left field:
  • upper: The Coca-Cola was still visible, but the Coca-Cola logo was appeared to have been mechanically obscured.

2020

• left part of right field:
  • upper: Stead and Fuller Insurance Inc., Fuller and C. D. Denson, 205-414-1476 www.steadandfuller.com, in dark blue letters on a blue background.

2024

Advertising images were printed on the vinyl coverings for the lower outfield wall, and on plywood panels above. The printing incorporated suggestions of fading and streaking to suggest vintage hand-painted signs.

Some of the advertisements added to Rickwood Field were changed between the 2024 Rickwood Classic and the featured MLB game two days later. Additional advertising was added to the infield walls and behind the batters box, some of which was digitally superimposed for display during the television broadcast.

• between fence and left foul pole:
  • upper: "Reviving Baseball" in white letters on a lavender field and a logo at left.
  • lower: "MLB Store" in black letters on a light gray field.
• adjacent to left foul pole:
  • upper: Rickwood in light gray letters on a green field.
  • lower: MLB Play Ball in yellow letters on a blue field with an illustration of a child swinging a bat
• left part of field:
  • upper: Musco Lighting "Night Ball", in blue letters on a yellow spotlight shape on a blue background, recognizing the company the provided temporary light towers for the MLB at Rickwood games.
  • lower: "Bally Live' in white letters on a red background with an image of a pitcher throwing a ball toward the viewer for the Rickwood Classic, and "New York Life Insurance" in white letters on a black background for the MLB game.
• center part of left field:
  • upper left: "T-Mobile" in pink letters on a white shield over a pink background with a baseball below.
  • upper right: "La Vida Más Fina" in blue and white shaded letters on a yellow background with a red Corona beer logo.
  • lower: "A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" in white letters on a black background.
• right part of left field: Rickwood Field scoreboard, topped by a clock, but without advertising
• left part of center field:
  • upper: MLB Store in white letters on a blue background
  • lower: The Negro Leagues in white letters on a red background with an image of a right-handed batter swinging and yellow and white pennants
• left center field:
  • upper left: "Grow Your Business with " in blue letters on a light gray background, along with a logo and an image of a batter swinging. "Bet MGM" in silver letters on a black background for the MLB game.
  • upper right: open
  • lower left: "Buy It", a Chevrolet logo, and an image of a pick-up truck in blue letters on a pale blue and beige background
  • lower right: in green letters in a pale green background
• center field: "batter's eye" taller than the scoreboard, in green with openings near the top left for cameras. The U.S. flag barely visible beyond.
• right center field:
  • upper left: "That's Good Water Since 1873" with the logo for Deer Park spring water in blue letters on a white background.
  • upper right: "Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities" in black letters on a light gray background with the MLB RBI logo
  • lower: "MiLB at Rockwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" in white letters over a black background on Tuesday, and "MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" in white on a black background on Thursday.
• center part of right field:
  • above: a temporary digital video screen was erected above the wall for the MLB at Rickwood events. A second smaller screen allowed fans in the right field stands to see the display.
  • upper left: Gatorade in green and orange letters on a white field with a green border
  • upper right: Capital One in white letters with a red logo on a blue background with a white border
  • upper far right: "America's Oldest Baseball Park" in white letters on a green background
  • lower left: "Grow Your Business with Mastercard", featuring "Birmingham's Own" Aww Shucks logo in yellow and white on a green oval
  • lower right: "The Amazing Drink" with the slogan "Wow, No Cow!" and an illustration of an Oatly! oat milk carton at right appeared during the MLB game
• right field
  • upper: open
  • lower far left: MLB Play Ball in blue letters on a green field with an illustration of a child swinging a bat
  • lower center: "A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" in white script over a black background
  • lower right: The earlier Budweiser advertisement was reproduced on the padded wall
• adjacent to right foul pole:
  • upper: no wall, outfield stands beyond
  • lower left: The earlier "Rickwood Field" sign with caps and pennants was reproduced on the padded wall
  • lower: "WM" logo for Waste Management in dark green on a yellow background, with an illustration of a garbage truck

References

• McCormick, Bret (July 3, 2024) "How Rickwood Field secured a MLB game and how it prepares for future." Sports Business Journal/Birmingham Business Journal