How America’s Oldest Ballpark Forged Baseball’s Legends
An immersive tribute to America’s oldest ballpark and the cradle of countless diamond dreams and dramatic showdowns. Rickwood is a deeply personal chronicle of fathers and sons, community pride, and the cultural tides that shaped the South and the sport. Rediscover Rickwood Field—a place where legends are made, memories endure, and baseball becomes forever.
An immersive tribute to America’s oldest ballpark and the cradle of countless diamond dreams and dramatic showdowns.
Through evocative storytelling and vibrant historical detail, Tim Whitt and Joe Mock weave together tales of sportsmanship, rivalry, and community.
Experience the romance between city of Birmingham and its ballpark as Rickwood rises to national fame, hosting Hall of Famers, Negro League greats, and generations of hopeful fans. Follow the stirring journey of Rick Woodward—the visionary owner who defied industrial conventions to build a field of legends—and the colorful cast of players, broadcasters, and everyday fans whose lives intertwined with Rickwood’s storied turf.
Rickwood captures more than just the thrill of a pitch or the drama of a pennant race; it’s a deeply personal chronicle of fathers and sons, community pride, and the cultural tides that shaped the South and the sport. With stunning stories of icons like Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, Dizzy Dean, and Reggie Jackson, the manuscript brings the past alive, offering readers the sights, sounds, and soul of America’s oldest ballpark.
Relive the stories of those who played on this historic diamond—Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, Dizzy Dean, Reggie Jackson, and more. Discover the unforgettable moments, from the roaring grandstands, thrilling victories, and heartbreaks, to the resilience that saved the ballpark for future generations.
Rediscover Rickwood Field—a place where legends are made, memories endure, and baseball becomes forever.
Category: Sports, Nonfiction
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
ISBN (Paper): 978-1-965766-52-1
ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-965766-53-8
ISBN (Limited Ed. Hardcover): 978-1-965766-54-5
List Price: $24.95
Pages: 200
Trim size: 6 x 9
Rick Woodward III, grandson of the builder of Rickwood Field“My grandfather would have loved this book, because it does a beautiful job of describing the history of the ballpark he built and loved.”
Randall L. Woodfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham“Joe Mock and Tim Whitt capture the complete story of Rickwood Field. Our City is honored to maintain such a special place. There is a great deal of community pride in offering this landmark to our residents as well as baseball fans from around the world.”
John T Edge, writer and host of the television show TrueSouth“Rickwood is a place of pilgrimage, a sacred space where the past whispers stories of struggle and perseverance to the present. Leveraging deep research, driven by infectious curiosity, Tim Whitt and Joe Mock show readers why and how the complicated past of this fabled stadium can inspire our collective future.”
Rick Woodward III, grandson of the builder of Rickwood Field“My grandfather would have loved this book, because it does a beautiful job of describing the history of the ballpark he built and loved.”
Randall L. Woodfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham“Joe Mock and Tim Whitt capture the complete story of Rickwood Field. Our City is honored to maintain such a special place. There is a great deal of community pride in offering this landmark to our residents as well as baseball fans from around the world.”
John T Edge, writer and host of the television show TrueSouth“Rickwood is a place of pilgrimage, a sacred space where the past whispers stories of struggle and perseverance to the present. Leveraging deep research, driven by infectious curiosity, Tim Whitt and Joe Mock show readers why and how the complicated past of this fabled stadium can inspire our collective future.”
Stephen Borelli, editor, USA TODAY Sports Weekly and author of How About That! The Life of Mel Allen“Rickwood Field is steeped in history and stands tall through the rigors of time and American progress. Tim Whitt and Joe Mock paint a vivid picture of the history of this classic American treasure as well as the barnstorming legends and Negro Leagues immortals who have come through its gates. In my book, Mock is the authority on ballparks. He observes and writes about them with a care and precision that brings them to life. We have trusted him as our ballpark expert for more than a decade.”
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