Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park
30 Tweedsmuir Avenue West
Chatham, ON N7M 2A4
Year Opened: circa1950/2010
Capacity: 1,100
Barnstorming Baseball
Chatham, Ontario is the home of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins. Arguably the greatest Canadian baseball player ever, Jenkins’ mark on his hometown is significant. His link to Chatham baseball is even deeper as his father played for the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars, which became the first black baseball team to win the Ontario baseball championship.
In 2024, baseball in Chatham kicked it up a notch with its entry into the Intercounty Baseball League; the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers. The name Barnstormers harkens back to the days of Babe Ruth when the off-season of Major League Baseball saw the biggest stars go on “barnstorming” tours, bringing baseball to smaller towns throughout the country. Owned by Dom Dinelle and Matt Nahdee, the team has enjoyed success on and off the field in its first season.
Home for the Barnstormers is Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park. Originally opened in the fifties, Fergie Jenkins Field, as it is now known, has undergone significant improvements making it more of an appropriate field for the league. The original grandstand was razed in 1984 and the current one was constructed in 2010.. There are several aspects of the operation this season that have proven to be successful, however, there are also bumps that the bus has taken in the inaugural season.
Food & Beverage 2
The concession scene at Rotary Park is at the very least confusing. The menu includes hot dogs, burgers, soda, popcorn, ice cream, and sunflower seeds. Concessions are run on a ticket system rather than having specific prices. Tickets are purchased near the admission tent, and patrons must line up to redeem their tickets for whatever concession item they wish. Items can be purchased for anywhere from 1 to 3 tickets. Alcohol tickets are purchased separately and can be redeemed for beer or wine.
Atmosphere 3
Fergie Jenkins Field is located in Rotary Park and offers decent grounds for baseball but has some limitations. The main grandstand is a brown brick structure, which looks like it has been upgraded from a previous structure. The covered grandstand offers bleacher seating with backs behind the plate. These are reserved seats and sold as season tickets.
Aluminum bleachers on either side of the main grandstand round out the seating which totals around 800. There is ample space behind the main grandstand for gathering but not much on the baselines. The placement of the bullpens beside the dugouts behind the fence reduces the space for seating and produces terrible sightlines for those not seated in the grandstand or bleachers. The fieldhouse and headquarters of Chatham Minor Baseball along with Kiwanis Stadium, a local soccer facility past centrefield, make the park dimensions rather odd with an extremely short porch in right field.
The park has some attractive decor. Decorative rocks commemorating Fergie Jenkins, the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars, and Rotary Club are found in the well-maintained flowerbeds behind the first base side. Large posters of Fergie Jenkins and Chatham native Bill Atkinson are also found on the brick exterior.
The Barnstormers do their part to build the gameday atmosphere. Live music is played before each game behind the grandstand and there are plenty of promotions between innings. The Barnstormers “Animation Crew” provides entertainment as well, although they were not prevalent during the game that was reviewed. It appears that the Barnstormers are finding a happy medium between the over-the-top Savannah Bananas philosophy and some of the older IBL teams.
Neighbourhood 3
Rotary Park is located in a residential area in central Chatham. For fans wishing to get some pre or post-game food, Mike’s Place and Frick’s Fish and Chips are a close walk. Otherwise, hopping in the car and heading toward downtown might be a better option. Sons of Kent Brewery, Centro Wood Fired Kitchen, and Mamma Maria’s may be interesting local options.
Rotary Park is also located near Chatham Memorial Arena which is home to the Chatham Maroons of the GOJHL. The Chatham-Kent Museum may also be a tourist spot of interest. The Holiday Inn beside Cascades Casino may be a good choice for those wishing to stay in town.
Fans 4
It is difficult to assess fans in the IBL as most teams do not publish their attendance figures. That being said, the game that was was sold out as the seating was at capacity. Fans in attendance are into the game. Unfortunately, the park does not adequately accommodate the number of fans in attendance and many are left unhappy about the seating and sightline situation. It will be curious to see how attendance changes after the inaugural season.
Access 2
Rotary Park is almost 4 km north of Highway 401, the major artery through Southern Ontario. It is also 4 km west of Highway 40. The ballpark is not that difficult to get to and traffic should not be an issue. There are parking spaces along Tweedsmuir Ave, but most of the parking should be found at the Chatham Memorial Arena. There is a bus that goes to Rotary Park for fans who wish to take public transit to the game. The Ride CK website should be consulted for fares, maps, and schedules.
Inside the park, it can be a bit challenging to get around. Although there are some permanent washroom facilities, there are several portable facilities on site. The seating area is not overly conducive for fans with mobility issues but is not awful. The seating is insufficient for the number of fans in attendance and should be addressed.
The main grandstand was all reserved for season ticket holders and the bleachers on the third base side were also completely reserved. The bullpens significantly hinder sightlines and the grass seating beside the bullpens makes for poor sightlines. The Barnstormers website does list lawn chairs as a banned item, however, numerous fans who could not find a spot in the grandstand brought lawn chairs in.
Concession lines are significant and the system of purchasing concessions is confusing for those who are not regulars. Overall, the Barnstormers and Municipality of Chatham-Kent need to address these shortcomings in subsequent seasons.
Return on Investment 3
Tickets for a Barnstormers game cost $12 for adults with discounts for seniors and children. Packages with concessions can also be purchased. Seats are listed as General Admission, but a full explanation as to the reserved nature of the grandstand is not present on the Barnstormers website. Parking is free and concession prices are decent but confusing. The Barnstormers do what they can to provide a solid gameday production, however, the poor sightlines and lack of seating can leave fans with a sour taste in their mouths.
Extras 2
An extra mark for the nod to the history of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars and the historic “Barnstormer” name, which is a bit of a throwback to baseball generations ago.
An extra mark for Fergie Jenkins, who is undoubtedly Chatham’s favourite son.
Final Thoughts
The inaugural season for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers has endured some bumps in the road and some of the issues at Fergie Jenkins Field must be addressed.
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