Labatt Park London, Ontario

25 Wilson Avenue, London, ON N6H 1X2
Labatt Park (nee Tecumseh Park in 1877) is believed to be the "World's Oldest Baseball Park in continuous use in its original location." The closest our American cousins have to Labatt Park, is Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, which was built in 1910.

Still, on several official U.S. baseball Web sites, Rickwood Field is mistakenly referred to as the "World's Oldest Ballpark" on the specious rationale that the stadium still retains some of its original 1910 grandstand. While Labatt Park is currently using its fourth main grandstand, the site and field is the oldest known ballpark in continuous use in the world (baseball was invented in North America). Nineteen-ten isn't even close to 1877. Nestled at the Forks of the Thames River, our landmark field has been the centre for London and area's sports, recreational and cultural activities for 128 years.

Over the years, the park has been used for motion pictures, political rallies, civic receptions, public skating, soccer, baseball, fastball, softball, boxing, football, horse-jumping, the RCMP Musical Ride and even a 21-Gun Salute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during to her visit to Victoria Park in 1997. In the summer of 2001, Labatt Park was the main baseball venue during the Canada Summer Games.

Information provided courtesy of Barry A. Wells a founder of the non-profit, volunteer group, The Friends of Labatt Park and also a London freelance writer.

Labatt Park is currently in the running for Canada's Favourite Ballpark!
Voting for Canada's Favourite Ballpark continues until Sept. 6. The winner will be announced by Baseball Canada Sept. 7. You can vote by going to www.baseball.ca.

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