Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29
Jim Houlihan Park 441 E. Fordham Rd. Bronx, NY 10458
Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 1,000
Fordham Rams Baseball at Houlihan Park
Jack Coffey Field was renamed Houlihan Park in 2006 following an extensive $4.3 million renovation which included lights. The park was named after Jim Houlihan class of 74. He and his family pledged $1 million to the baseball program. In 2012, Houlihan Park got another new addition with a full-color video scoreboard, made by Daktronics. The new display has the ability to show video, in game statistics and more. In summer 2014, the surface of Houlihan Park (FieldTurf) was replaced, while a new outfield wall and batting cage area (behind right field) were installed. In addition, a Daktronics sound system was installed on top of the scoreboard.
Houlihan Park hosted the Atlantic 10 championship in 2006, 2012, 2016, 2019 and will host again in May 2022. Fordham won the championship in 2019. The dimensions are 338 to left, 325 to right field and 400 to center.
Food & Beverage 0
There is no concession stand at Houlihan Park. In the past there was a small table that sold soda and water, and it may be there for certain games. There is no alcohol allowed since Houlihan Park is on a college campus.
Atmosphere 2
The atmosphere is mellow. Attendance is typically less than 100 with mostly friends and family of the players on hand. The players walk up to music and music is played in between innings. There are four sections of bleachers with backs behind home plate with 6 rows of seats behind protective netting. There are also the football bleachers in the outfield as Houlihan Park overlaps the football stadium. The scoreboard is nice, but a bit far from the seats for its size.
Neighborhood 3
The 85-acre campus, while set in the Bronx, feels like a suburban setting with plenty of trees and greenery. Visitors often forget they are in the middle of a city until hearing an occasional horn or siren from outside the gate. The University also boasts an impressive church built in 1845.
The campus borders the New York Botanical Garden, with the Bronx Zoo located just a few blocks from campus. Visitors to the area looking for places to eat during their trip to Fordham have a wide array of choices. Fans should head over to Arthur Avenue and surroundings where several fantastic Italian restaurants can be found in addition to some great bakeries. A few of my favorites restaurants include Roberto’s, Antonio’s and Tra Di Noi. If pizza is your preference try Pugsley’s on 191st Street.
Fans 2
Attendance is typically around 100 with mostly students, family and friends of the players on hand. The fans were appreciative of the Rams as Fordham turned two double plays on this visit.
Access 3
Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx, only a few miles from Interstates 95 and 87, as well as the Bronx River Parkway.
Public transportation is a good option to get to Fordham. The Metro North Railroad out of Grand Central Station or coming down from Westchester or Connecticut has a Fordham stop next to the campus. The D line of the NYC subway system is located about a 12-minute walk from campus. In addition, city buses stop regularly just outside the gate.
If driving, there is a large parking garage ($20) on campus, located a short walk from Houlihan Park. Fans can get lucky and find a few free spots on Southern Boulevard and another spot to park for free on weekends is 191st Street and then enter through the Bathgate Avenue entrance.
Return on Investment 3
There is no charge for admission so if you find free parking an afternoon of free entertainment makes for an enjoyable day.
Extras 3
There is an impressive plaque as you enter the facility along the third base side which honors all of Fordham’s baseball family elected to the school’s Hall of Fame. There are also eight individual plagues of legendary Fordham alums including Vin Scully, Walter O’Malley and Frankie Frisch.
Fordham Hall of Fame Plaques, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey
Final Thoughts
There is plenty to do in the area before or after to add to the experience. The campus, with its Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings and expansive lawns, makes Rose Hill one of New York City’s most attractive college campuses.
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