“Popcorn! Peanuts…”

A gruff voice yelled from somewhere off to my left. I squirmed in my chair as I spilled some of the overflowing melted ice cream out of my mini plastic helmet on to my shorts and the aluminum bleacher seat that we had commandeered.

“Can we get some peanuts dad?” I asked sheepishly as I wiped the mess off with my fingers and licked them. My dad looked at my shorts and fingers and frowned for a few seconds, but a smile cracked as he waved his hand in the air, “Why not… it’s a ball game!”

The old man came over and my dad bought two bags and I changed my mind to Cracker Jacks. Pretty soon peanut husks were littering that old green floor and the announcer asked everyone to stand for the national anthem. I was as proud to be an American (as proud as any 10 year-old could be).

This is one of my earliest memories of Rickwood Field back in the 80s when my dad took me to my first Rickwood Classic. After 20 years of missionary work in South America, my dad is currently the chaplin for the Latino and Spanish speaking members of the Birmingham Barons and he still loves baseball. Lets just say we NEVER miss a Rickwood Classic.

MILB.com is reporting that this year’s Rickwood Classic is still the most desirable minor league game to attend in the country. This year’s Classic is being held this Wednesday, May 27. This family friendly event usually features a silent auction, food, vintage uniforms and costumes. 

Just as a heads up, 2010 will be the 100^th anniversary of the opening of Rickwood Field. According to The Birmingham News, the City Council has approved and has already started planning a $7.5 million renovation to the park and an addition of a museum to the site. A private collector from Dallas has also already agreed to move his collection of Negro League memorabilia worth more than $4 million as well as his historical research center to the site when the project is completed. This might be the last time you get to see the park before the renovation next year.

Take someone out to the ballgame this year for a once in a lifetime baseball experience found only in Birmingham.

Photos: Josh Self/Flickr