Breaking news on York's baseball stadium

When baseball returns to York for the first time since 1968, the new ballpark will pay tribute to Brooks Robinson, one of the greatest icons in the history of baseball, it was announced today by Keystone Baseball on behalf of the design team working on the York Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Design is currently underway on a 6,000 seat, state-of-the-art minor league ballpark in York, similar to the recently opened Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, PA. Minor league baseball could return to York as early as 2007.

Preliminary plans for the York ballpark include a "Brooks Robinson Plaza" that will connect the stadium main entrance with York's downtown. The plaza will feature a statue of Brooks, along with other commemorative items and information related to his 23-year career in professional baseball. Brooks made his professional debut in York 50 years ago in 1955, with the York White Roses. Later that season his contract was sold to the Baltimore Orioles, and the rest is baseball history.

Keystone Baseball Chairman Peter Kirk surprised Brooks yesterday, unveiling the first artist’s rendering of the York ballpark at a private luncheon. The “Brooks Robinson Plaza� had been a closely held secret by the design team. Brooks was deeply touched by York’s plans for a tribute.

“What an honor. I have so many fond memories of York. That’s where it all began for me. I’m looking forward to seeing baseball’s return to York in the new ballpark and seeing old friends,� he said.

At the age of 18 and fresh out of Little Rock, AR, Brooks started his professional career as a second baseman for the White Roses, but his first manager, George Staller, wisely moved him to third base. Later that year, on September 17, 1955, Brooks made his Major League debut for the Orioles going 2-for-4 against the Washington Senators, while driving in a key run in the eighth inning. From there, Brooks:

-- Hit 268 home runs and collected 1357 RBI, with a career batting average of .267

-- Played in 2,896 games for the Orioles; seventh on the all-time list. For 15 years (1960 to 1974), Brooks played in 98% of all Oriole games.

-- Played in four World Series’ and 15 consecutive All Star games.

-- Won a record 16 straight Gold Gloves from 1960 through 1975, earning the reputation as the finest defensive third baseman in the history of the game.

-- Won the American League MVP award in 1964, finished second in the voting in 1966, and third in 1960 and 1965.

-- Was selected as the MVP of the 1966 All Star game and 1970 World Series.

-- Was selected as a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, at the time entering as one of only 16 players to be so honored on the first ballot.

-- Was named to the All Century Team in 1999, which honored the best 25 players in baseball during the 20th century.

Brooks resides in Maryland – a short drive from York - and maintains many friendships in York that go back to 1955. He currently serves as Special Assistant to Keystone Baseball, the ownership group that will help bring minor league baseball back to York, and owns and operates the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team. Brooks is actively involved in the communities of the teams that comprise Keystone Baseball and also plays a major role in assembling on-field personnel and in community relations.

The design team also announced the dimensions of the York professional baseball field to be constructed at the Arch Street site. The right field foul pole will be 330 ft. from home plate, centerfield will be 400 ft., and, the left field foul pole will be 309 ft, the same distance as Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, where Brooks perfected his craft.

More details on the ballpark and the “Brooks Robinson Plaza� will be released in the near future as design work and planning continues for the York Outdoor Recreation Complex.