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EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX
2004-EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX
2021-FREIDHOFF FIELD
EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX
ONE OF PENNSYLVANIA'S OLDEST BASEBALL VENUES
The Ewing Park Baseball Complex is one of Pennsylvania's oldest baseball venues. The Shelby Tube Company purchased over 300 lots in 1920 from Riverside Drive on the west to Joffre Street on the east. The property boundary on the north was the Ellwood City-New Castle Road. The Shelby Tube Company's plan of lots were used for housing and recreation of the Shelby Tube workers. The area is named Ewing Park in honor of Shelby Tube Company attorney Thomas Ewing who oversees the construction of the plan. A baseball field is constructed between Petain Street and Foch Street. Although the new grounds are used for a few weeks in 1920, the Ewing Park Field underwent major construction in 1921. The field is graded and grandstands are built behind home plate. A wooden fence is also erected at the field.
FIRST GAME EVER PLAYED AT EWING PARK FIELD IN 1921
On Saturday, June 18, 1921 the first game ever played at the newly-constructed Ewing Park Field is played beginning at 3:30 PM. Ellwood City, under the sponsorship of the Shelby Socials, defeats Hubbard, Ohio, 20-9, in the inaugural game, The New Castle News reported that, "Ewing Park, used for the very first time, proved to be an ideal place for playing baseball and the big crowd thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the new bleachers and purchasing refreshments, which were dispensed by numerous persons."
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL COMES TO EWING PARK IN 1952
Before Little League Baseball is played across the United States and worldwide, Ellwood City becomes one of the first chartered Little League programs in western Pennsylvania in 1950. After playing their first two seasons at the Lincoln High School Field, the Ellwood City Little League moves to Ewing Park. With the addition of Little League, the Ewing Park Baseball Complex becomes the center of baseball activity for Ellwood City Area School District youths, ages eight through eighteen.
ELLWOOD CITY LITTLE LEAGUE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT BEGINS IN 1952
The Ellwood City Little League Summer Classic, the second oldest Little League Tournament in the nation, next to the Little League World Series began in 1952. The tournament will once again welcome area teams to the Ewing Park Baseball Complex this July for the 71st year.
EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX TIMELINE
EWING PARK FIELD
SANDERS FIELD
1920
A baseball field is constructed by the Shelby Tube Company at the site of the present Ewing Park practice football field.
1921
A grandstand is erected behind home plate. A fence enclosing the field is is constructed. The Field will be known as Ewing Park Field after Thomas Ewing, the US Steel attorney who designed the the entire park area.
1949
Due to the construction of the new football field which will become Helling Stadium, the Ewing Park Field is moved 150 yards north to its' present site. The area, bordered with Madison Avenue on the south and Woodside Avenue on the north , is cleared and the new Ewing Park Field is constructed.
1952
Through the combined efforts of civic groups, the original lighting system is erected. Along with Forbes Field and area minor league parks, Ewing Park Field becomes one of the first lighted baseball fields in western Pennsylvania.
1953
Original concession stand is erected by Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation with donations by the United Fund.
1966
The Ewing Park Field is named Sanders Memorial Field. The field is named after former Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation commissioner Frank Sanders, who served from 1963-1966.
1972
The original lighting system is enhanced with the purchase of lights from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The lights are from Forbes Field which has been replaced by Three Rivers Stadium.
1978
The infield at Sanders Field is re-sodded.
1983
The William Spellman Memorial is erected and dedicated in honor of the legendary Lincoln High School Baseball head coach.
1984
The Sanders Field Press Box is constructed by the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.
1985
The original lighting system and Forbes Field lights are removed and a new lighting system is erected. The system is financed in a joint effort by the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation and Lincoln High School.
1987
Construction is completed for a temporary outfield fence.
1995
New dugouts are constructed and the infield is re-sodded through the Buy-A-Block fundraiser by Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.
1996
Temporary fence is removed and an eight-foot high aluminum outfield fence is erected by Lincoln High School.
1997
Original concession stand is demolished as part of construction for new football stadium. New press box and storage building built by Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.
1999
Installed electric scoreboard behind left-field fence through donations of sponsors. Backstop removed and brick wall and netting constructed by Lincoln High School. Infield sprinkler system and infield and foul areas re-sodded by Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.
2000
Wooden bleachers replaced by aluminum bleachers by Lincoln High School.
2003
Advertising signage added to outfield fence by Lincoln High School Baseball Boosters.
EWING PARK LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD
FREIDHOFF FIELD
1952
The Ewing Park Little League Field is constructed on the present site of Helling Stadium.
1965
A second Ellwood City Little League Field is constructed by the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation at the present site. The field is constructed in the northwest quadrant of the Ewing Park Baseball Complex. Coaches, players and parents rake the field by hand to prepare it for the upcoming season. The field has a dirt infield, a bench area and a wooden snow fence.
1973
A lighting system is installed ending use of the original Little League field.
1985
The Ewing Park Little League Field is named after former Ellwood City Amateur Baseball commissioner Dick Freidhoff, who served from 1957-1961.
1986
The Dick Freidhoff memorial is erected and dedicated.
1993
After two seasons without an operating lighting system, a new state-of-the art lighting system is installed through a fundraising drive by the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation.
1995
A sodded infield, recommended by Little League Baseball for safety, is constructed at Freidhoff Field. The metal backstop from 1965 is removed and a new aluminum backstop is erected. Advertising signage is added to the outfield fence.
1996
Additional fencing is added to the backstop. A wooden concession stand is constructed.
1997
Permanent aluminum outfield fence is erected and re-sodded infield.
1998
Aluminum backstop extensions are erected.
1999
Installation of electric scoreboard. Wooden bleachers removed and aluminum stands are erected.
2000
Re-sodding of infield.
2001
Wooden concession stand removed and new brick concession stand is erected. Warning track is constructed for safety reasons.
2003
Multi-level story press box and storage building are constructed at Freidhoff Field. Permanent fences installed along first and third base lines. A new backstop is erected. New lights replaced on light standards.
2004
Installation of new warning track.
2005
Re-sodding of infield.
2007
Re-sodding of infield.
2010
Construction of new dugouts and re-sodding of infield.
2013
Installation of new electric scoreboard.
2014
New batting cages erected and re-named "Campbell Cages" in honor of longtime amateur baseball and high school coach, Bud Campbell. Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation donates $10,000 for the project.
2015
Retaining walls are erected connecting dugouts and press box.
2017
Entire infield and outfield graded. Infield re-sodded and new grass planted in outfield.
2024
Construction of new outfield fence. The purchase and grading of 35 tons of Mar-Co Clay ball mix on the infield.
FREIDHOFF FIELD THROUGH THE YEARS
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX
The Ewing Park Baseball Complex marked its' 100th anniversary on Friday, June 18. On June 18, 1921 the first game was played at the newly-constructed Ewing Park Baseball Field. On that Saturday afternoon, the Ellwood City Shelby county league team defeated Hubbard, Ohio, 20-9. The New Castle News reported, "Ewing Park, which was used for the very first time, proved an ideal place for playing baseball." Ewing Park became the baseball hub of Ellwood City and remains, 100 years later, the baseball center of Ellwood City.
Major League Baseball Hall of Fame players that have appeared at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex are Honus Wagner(1921), Cum Posey(1921), Oscar Charleston(1928), Pie Traynor(1930), Paul Waner(1930), Lloyd Waner(1930) and Tom Lasorda(1962). Future Hall of Fame candidates appearing at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex are Dick Allen(1954), Terry Francona(1971), Danny Murtaugh(1972), Chuck Tanner(1945) and Jim Leyland(2004). Numerous major league and minor league players have also appeared at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex in the last 100 years.
The two Ellwood City Pony League teams in the Lawrence-Butler-Mercer County League met on the 100th anniversary of the first game ever played at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex. The Hungarian Home and WesBanco, tied 2-2, at Sanders Field in a well-played game called due to darkness after seven innings. Ellwood City High School baseball Head Coach Chris Weisz was in attendance to observe his future Wolverines in action.
ELLWOOD CITY'S HALL OF FAMER HACK WILSON MARKER DEDICATION
Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame outfielder from Ellwood City, Hack Wilson, was honored with a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker on August 25 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The landmark is placed at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex on Route 65. Mayor Anthony Court opened the program by stating," Ellwood City has a rich tradition of baseball that probably started with someone like Hack Wilson...We're honoring one of our own." Andy Masich, the president of the Heinz History Center, said Wilson fighting spirit was emblematic of Ellwood City itself. Guest speaker was Chicago Society of Baseball Research(SABR) historian John Racinelli delivered a detailed talk on Wilson's career and life, including his years in Ellwood City. Racinelli is founder of the SABR Landmarks Research Committee and is one of baseball's foremost authorities on Hack Wilson. Racinelli said, "His Heart was always here in Ellwood City. This marker is a fitting tribute to a man from Ellwood City." Wilson's season in 1930 remains one of the greatest seasons ever. Wilson belted 56 home runs and drove in 191 runs-a major league record that stands 94 years later.
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