When Camden Yards opened on April 6, 1989, it ushered in a new era of baseball stadium architecture. From the early 1960’s through the opening of Camden Yards, virtually all new outdoor sports facilities were multi-use, high-capacity “concrete donuts” as Shea Stadium in New York, Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, and Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Since 1989, most new MLB facilities have been of the baseball-only variety with smaller seating capacity, offering a more intimate experience for fans and ultimately larger profits for team owners. This presentation will trace the development of baseball architecture from the 1960’s through the present, with a particular emphasis on how the success of Camden Yards created a new era in ballpark architecture.
About the presenterGlenn Gerstner
Glenn Gerstner is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at St. John’s University, and currently also serves as Associate Dean for Academics and Assessment in the College of Professional Studies.