Bank of the James Stadium

Bank of the James Stadium
Map
Former namesCalvin Falwell Field at City Stadium (2005–2019)
City Stadium (1940–2004)
Location3180 Fort Avenue
Lynchburg, Virginia 25401
Coordinates37°23′34″N 79°09′56″W / 37.392816°N 79.165623°W / 37.392816; -79.165623
OwnerCity of Lynchburg
OperatorLynchburg Baseball Corp.
Capacity4,281
Field sizeRight Field – 325 ft (99 m)
Center Field – 390 ft (120 m)
Left Field – 325 ft (99 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1938
OpenedApril 11, 1940 (1940-04-11)
Renovated2004
Construction costUS$280,000
($6.13 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectGavin Hadden[2]
Tenants
Lynchburg Senators (VL) 1940-1942
Lynchburg Cardinals (PL) 1943-1955
Lynchburg Senators (ApL) 1959
Savannah/Lynchburg White Sox (SAL) 1962
Lynchburg White Sox (SAL) 1963
Lynchburg White Sox (SL) 1964-1965
Lynchburg White Sox (CL) 1966-1969
Lynchburg Twins (CL) 1970-1974
Lynchburg Rangers (CL) 1975
Lynchburg Mets (CL) 1976-1987
Lynchburg Red Sox (CL) 1988-1994
Lynchburg Hillcats (CL/Low-A East) (1963–present)

Bank of the James Stadium, formerly Calvin Falwell Field at City Stadium and originally named "City Stadium", is a ballpark located in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States, and the current home of the minor league Lynchburg Hillcats team.

The baseball stadium was built in conjunction with an adjacent 6,000-person football stadium known modern day as "City Stadium". The New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played in the inaugural game at City Stadium (the baseball portion) on April 11, 1940, in front of an estimated crowd of 7,000. The following professional baseball teams have all fielded affiliates of their parent club in Lynchburg: the Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves. The stadium is currently home to the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, and is one of the oldest active ballparks in Minor League Baseball.[3] The Hillcats have been an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians since 2015. From 2010 to 2014 they were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. In 2005, the Hillcats set an attendance record with a total of 151,266 fans passing through the gates.

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Pahigian, Josh (2007). The Ultimate Minor League Baseball Road Trip: A Fan's Guide to AAA, AA, A, and Independent League Stadiums. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot. ISBN 978-1-59921-024-7. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  3. ^ Hill, Benjamin (February 18, 2021). "Been a while: Oldest Minor League ballparks". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.