Point Stadium
The Point | |
Website | |
---|---|
Sargents Stadium | City of Johnstown PA |
Sargent's Stadium at the Point is a
Original stadium
The original stadium opened in 1926 with a
The original Point Stadium had unusual field dimensions: fitted into a rectangular city block next to the Conemaugh River, it was just 251 feet (77 m) down the right-field line and 262 feet (80 m) down the left-field line, but bulged out to over 400 feet (122 m) feet in center field, depending on the location of a snow fence which cut off the farthest reaches of the stadium in right center field. Huge nets were put in left field to keep balls in play, preventing easy home runs, and also to prevent balls from reaching the adjacent street.
- The original Point Stadium's dimensions (1926–2002)
- Left Field Line: 262 feet (80 m)
- Center Field: 385 feet (117 m)
- Right Field Line: 251 feet (77 m)
Current stadium
After nearly eight decades, the original structure was torn down in 2005 to make room for an $8 million renovation. The new 7,500-seat venue opened in 2006 on August 8, for a game between Johnstown and Chicago in the annual AAABA National Tournament.
The original scoreboard located in center field was replaced in the spring of 2021 with a new video scoreboard.[6] A new Daktronics line scoreboard was installed into the left field wall prior to the 2023 Prospect League Season.[7]
- The current dimensions
- Left Field Line: 290 feet (88 m)
- Left Center Field: 336 feet (102 m)
- Center Field: 409 feet (125 m)
- Right Center Field: 395 feet (120 m)
- Right Field Line: 290 feet (88 m)
The diamond has an unorthodox southeasterly alignment (home plate to center field); the recommended orientation is east-northeast.[8] The football field runs along the first base line, but not parallel, with a near north–south alignment (slightly NE–SW). The approximate elevation is 1,150 feet (350 m) above sea level.
AAABA Hall of Fame
Point Stadium is home to the AAABA Hall of Fame which was established in the stadium in 1994.
UPJ Mountain Cats
Point Stadium is the home stadium for the
Truman visit
During the last weeks of the presidential campaign in October 1948, President Harry Truman gave a major speech at the stadium.[9][10]
Popular culture
The movie All The Right Moves was filmed in Johnstown and featured Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson, and Lea Thompson. The high school football game scenes were shot at Point Stadium in the spring of 1983.[11]
Pittsburgh Steelers practices
The Pittsburgh Steelers have used the stadium for in-season practices and workouts, the last time being during the 1987 strike season.[12][13]
References
- ^ a b "Sargents Stadium". cityofjohnstownpa.net. City of Johnstown. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 1, 2020). "Prospect League adds Johnstown team for 2021". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ O'Reilly, Russ (May 28, 2021). "Photo Gallery | 'Baseball back in Johnstown': Mill Rats' inaugural game a first for many fans". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Johnstown's Historic Point Stadium: Home of the AAABA National Tournament". All-American Amateur Baseball Association. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ Mastovich, Mike (October 30, 2021). "'It's amazing': Johnstown unveils new turf at Sargent's Stadium at the Point". The Tribune-Democrat.
- ^ Sutor, Dave (May 13, 2021). "Point Stadium improvements approved by council; $421K contract for new turf awarded". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ Slusser, Thomas (March 10, 2023). "Sargent's Stadium at the Point | Scoreboard Update". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ "Official Baseball Rules: 2.01 Layout of the Field" (PDF). Major League Baseball. 2018. p. 2.
- ^ Jones, John E. (October 23, 1948). "Truman to head parade in city to Hunt Armory". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 1 – via Google News.
- Pittsburgh Press. p. 1 – via Google News.
- ^ "Town has illusion". Reading Eagle. Associated Press. March 15, 1983. p. 19 – via Google News.
- Pittsburgh Press. (photo). p. A1 – via Google News.
- Pittsburgh Press. p. C1 – via Google News.
External links
- AAABA Johnstown – Point Stadium
- City of Johnstown – Point Stadium
- Photographs of Point Stadium - Rochester Area Ballparks
Events and tenants | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by | Host of the All-Star Game Point Stadium 1995 |
Succeeded by |