Fire Destroys Historic Baseball Park Featured in A League of Their Own

Fire Destroys Historic Baseball Park Featured in A League of Their Own

As a lifelong fan of baseball and a devoted enthusiast of classic films, particularly “A League of Their Own“, I find myself deeply saddened by the news of the devastating fire at Jay Littleton Ball Park. This iconic field has been a part of my personal history, serving as both a backdrop for countless hours of entertainment and a symbol of the enduring spirit of the game.


As a die-hard baseball fan who has spent countless hours at ballparks across the country, I was deeply saddened to hear about the fire that destroyed the historic Jay Littleton Ball Park in Ontario, California. This field holds a special place in my heart as it was one of the filming locations for “A League of Their Own,” a movie that has been instrumental in fueling my passion for the sport. I can still remember watching the scenes of Geena Davis and Madonna playing softball on that very field, feeling inspired to step onto a diamond myself.

“Ontario’s director of communications, Dan Bell, stated it’s deeply regrettable for our community. Many individuals here have either played themselves or had family members or children who played on that field throughout the years. Over its 87-year history, countless people have enjoyed playing on that particular field.”

Upon their arrival, they found the bleachers in the ballpark completely ablaze, as reported by Bell. Consequently, they sprang into action to extinguish the fire immediately, but due to the vintage 1937 wooden construction of the grandstands, it spread rapidly. Sadly, this led to a complete loss of the grandstand structure. The grandstands, dugouts, and all spectator facilities have been demolished. However, the playing field remains undamaged. Unfortunately, any vantage point for watching a game has been obliterated.

The grandstands at the park were constructed back in 1937, and for a brief, unique season in 1947, this field served as the base for the minor league Ontario Orioles. Besides being a significant local landmark, this very field has made appearances in various Hollywood movies, such as “The Babe Ruth Story” from 1948, “Eight Men Out” in 1988, an episode of “X-Files” in 1999, and both the 1992 film “A League of Their Own” and the more recent Amazon series bearing the same title. Before a fire occurred, this field – designated as a historical landmark in 2003 — was still being utilized for little league and high school games within the Ontario community. There is a chance they may rebuild it, but that decision will need careful consideration.

Bell suggested they consider the future plans for that area, given its substantial role in the city’s past. They will examine the best way to progress with it moving forward.

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2024-08-25 08:09