In April 1992, Camden Yards opened its doors as a new $100 million facility that was designed under the architectural guidance of HOK Sport and built by Danobe Construction. Located just two blocks from Babe Ruth’s birthplace in downtown Baltimore, the center field of this 85-acre facility is also the site where Ruth’s father once operated Ruth’s Café. At first, there was some debate about the name to be given to the new stadium. Some felt that it should be named Oriole Park after its tenants, the Baltimore Orioles, but others were determined to call it Camden Yards. In a nice compromise, the park was eventually named Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Just like any other Major League Baseball stadium, Camden Yards has hosted a number of memorable events. Between them, the 1993 All-Star Game was held here. In September 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. wowed fans by competing in his 2,131st consecutive game and eventually breaking the record set by Lou Gehrig. The following year, in 1996, Eddie Murray hit his 500th career home run. Also, the only no-hitter ever thrown at this stadium was thrown by Hideo Nomo in 2001.
Spectators visiting Camden Yards will be greeted with a variety of amenities, including Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame memorabilia, the Camden club and sports bar, a coffee shop and a gift shop. Additionally, fans can enjoy a stroll down Eutaw Street, which is home to cement-imprinted bronze baseballs that are designed to commemorate home runs that have been hit at the facility. The design of Camden Yards is a convenience in itself, as it has revolutionized the way new facilities are built. A combination of steel columns, beams and trusses have made it a classic, while its capacity for 48,000 spectators has made it accessible. Although the concrete beams, brick façade, natural grass playing surface, and asymmetrical playing field have provided inspiration for the construction of the modern facility, Oriole Park at Camden Yards itself was influenced by other ballparks, including Fenway Park, Ebbets, Forbes and Wrigley Field. .
Baltimore Orioles fans can also take part in regular tours of Camden Yards, which include an up-close look at the suites, scoreboards and control rooms, media levels and the dugout. Public tours run daily and private tours are available by reservation. For those who want an even closer look, perhaps a meeting with one or more of the Baltimore Orioles players or coaches would do the trick. If time permits, baseball notables can sometimes be found signing autographs up to 45 minutes before kickoff.
Collectors wishing to request an autograph from any of the players on the Baltimore Orioles roster should send their letter and a SASE (stamped, self-addressed envelope) to:
Player’s name
c/o Baltimore Orioles
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
333 West Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Fans requesting an autograph should limit their request to two items per letter. Popular items that are signed include photos, index or trading cards, baseballs, etc. Patience is key when soliciting autographs by mail, but the best time to contact an athlete is often in the off-season.