Labatt Memorial Park - London Majors
- Dave Cottenie
- Aug 13
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Labatt Memorial Park 25 Wilson Ave London, ON N6H 1X2
Year Opened: 1877
Capacity: 5,200
Major Historic Baseball
Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ontario has the distinction of being the World’s Oldest Baseball Grounds. After a bit of an administrative battle with Guiness, the ballpark on the Thames River has had its status confirmed and is now in the Guiness Book of World Records. Tecumseh Park was built in 1877 for the London Tecumsehs, both named after Sawnee Chief Tecumseh.
In 1877, the Tecumsehs played the Boston Red Stockings in London, who would go on to become the Boston Braves, and eventually the Atlanta Braves. After a major flood in 1936, Labatt Brewing donated $10,000 to renovate the park and acts as a memorial to the founder, originally John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park, which is why the Labatt name remains and has not been changed to the current parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The park is currently home to the Western Mustangs, Fanshawe Falcons and most prominently, the London Majors of Intercounty Baseball League. Labatt Memorial Park was also the home of affiliated baseball for a time when the Double-A London Tigers played in London. Independent teams have also called Labatt Park over the years including the London Werewolves and the short lived London Monarchs and London Rippers. Labatt Memorial Park has been designated a National Heritage Site.
The Majors were founded in 1925 as the London Braves and found time over the years as the London Winery, London Silverwoods, London Army Team, London Diamonds, London Pontiacs, London Avcos, London E-Morocco Majors before settling permanently on the London Majors in 1975. The Majors are currently owned by Scott Dart and Roop Chanderdat and boast 14 IBL Championships, the most recent in 2022. Former Major League legends Denny McLain and Ferguson Jenkins pulled on a Majors uniform and took the field for a time.
Food & Beverage 3
Labatt Park features a fairly common snack bar type concession. Hot dogs, burgers, sausage, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and chips are available. A bit of a unique option is the actual hand scooped ice cream that is available in a variety of flavours. Freezies (an Intercounty League staple) and other ice cream bars can also be found. Lines at the concession are usually quite long.
Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Labatt Park but Powerade, water, coffee and tea can also be found. A variety of canned beer and hard seltzer is available for purchase at the dedicated concession stand for alcoholic beverages. The Majors have partnered with nearby Railway City Brewing in St. Thomas to provide craft brewing options to go along with the major brands. Railway City is canning London Majors branded beer which is available at Labatt Park.
Atmosphere 4
Labatt Memorial Park boasts of being the “World’s Oldest Baseball Grounds” which has been validated by the Gunness Book of World Records. It is not the place it was back in 1877, but it is in the upper echelon of IBL parks. The park is nestled neatly in the West London neighbourhood and is fairly nondescript from the outside.
The main structure is brown brick, which acts as the main grandstand, washrooms, team store and concessions. The grounds are kept behind large wrought iron gates which gives the park an extra sense of pageantry. Historical poster boards surround the exterior of the park, which tell the story of Labatt Memorial Park and aid in the ballpark tour.
Inside the ballpark, the playing surface is a symmetrical 330 feet down the lines and 402 feet to dead centrefield, east of the plate. The main grandstand is covered and features aluminum bleacher seating. Fans will want to be selective in their seating as to not have an obstructed view from one of the eight support beams. The three rows immediately behind the backstop feature metal stadium seats with backing.
On either side of the main grandstand are permanent bleacher seats, the first eight rows of which have backs. Continuing past the first section of bleachers on either side are another pair of sets, which are a bit more temporary. The playing surface is natural grass and modern LED lighting is ready for dusk during evening games. Mature trees line the wall from left field to centre field, beyond which is the Thames River.
A simple, baseball scoreboard is beyond the right centre field wall. The Majors have thirteen retired numbers for Joe Owen, Norm Aldridge, Russ Evon, Gabby Anderson, Richard Thompson, Wayne Fenlon, Bob Deakin, Roy McKay, Tommy White, Mike Kilkenny, Dave Byers, Arden Eddie and Fergie Jenkins. The Majors have also earned IBL titles in 1925, 1936, 1937, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1956, 1969, 1975, 2021 and 2022. Neither the titles nor the retired numbers have a prominent position at Labatt Park, which is a failing.
The gameday production at a Majors game is decent and has become more modern over the last few years. The Majors employ an in-game host to keep the fans interested and have recently brought Forest, the mascot, into the fold. Kids run the bases after the third inning.
There is no “baseballs are the property of the team and must be returned” announcement, which is not uncommon in the IBL. The Majors stumbled on a bit of a phenomenon with their “Forest City Cobra Chickens” rebrand. Cobra Chicken games provide some extra promos and excitement and attract a larger than normal crowd. On-field promotional games are populated by fans volunteering online after scanning a QR code. The 50/50 draw is also a staple.
Neighbourhood 3
Labatt Park is located in West London, on the western border of Downtown and south of Western University. The neighbourhood, located on the western bank of the North Thames River at the confluence of the main artery, is mainly residential. There are a couple of small spots for a pre or post game meal, including Under the Volcano, however a short drive across the river will drastically increase the options. Covent Market, across the road from Canada Life Place, has a number of options. Waldo’s On King might be a good choice.
London has a number of sporting options. The London Knights of the OHL, who are famous for being owned by the Hunter brothers and their massive success, play at Canada Life Place, downtown. Western University also fields a full complement of athletic teams north of Labatt Park.
The Western Mustangs are known for football at Western Alumni Stadium as well as basketball at Alumni Hall and hockey at Thompson Arena. Right across the road from the stadium are a couple of historic points with Museum London right there. Fanshawe Pioneer Village and Covent Garden Market are also options for other things to do. The Labatt Memorial Park tour should not be forgotten, especially with a low cost of $10.
There are a few downtown hotels for fans who wish to stay in London. Delta Hotels London Armouries and Residence Inn are downtown options a short drive from Labatt Park.
Fans 3
It is difficult to assess fans for the Intercounty Baseball League as attendance figures are not regularly compiled and posted for public consumption. That being said, the London Majors anecdotally attract an audience in the upper echelon of the league. The league itself has reported decent growth in fan support over the past few seasons.
The fans are knowledgeable and passionate. The game that was reviewed was a Cobra Chickens game and saw a crowd of at least 1,000 fans. Some have taken to some of the more intricate baseball traditions as at the game reviewed, a group of fans behind the plate were counting the number of consecutive balls the opposing pitcher threw.
Access 4
Labatt Memorial Park is located in West London, on the banks of the Thames River. Getting to Labatt Memorial Park requires fans to travel through Downtown London. The park is a significant distance from the main artery through Southern Ontario, Highway 401. Traffic is not usually a major challenge for baseball games. There is some limited parking on site for Majors games, but it is not overly convenient.
Parking on one of the side streets in the West London neighbourhood is probably a better option. Leaving plenty of time before the game is a good idea. For fans wishing to take public transit, London Transit buses travel along Riverside Drive and Wharncliffe Road North. Fans should consult the London Transit website for fares, maps and schedules.
Labatt Park is small enough that it is easy to get around. Concessions and washrooms are on the outer side of the ballpark. The washrooms are a little dated, but adequate for the facility.
Return on Investment 5
There are not too many sporting experiences out there that offer the low price and value that the London Majors and IBL do. Majors tickets are a very affordable $12 each. Parking at Labatt Park will go for $3, however, street parking can be found at no cost. Concession prices are in line with other teams in the league. The opportunity to see baseball in a historic venue for such a low price offers a very significant return on investment. Add the possibility of seeing a Cobra Chickens game, given the extra excitement, and it seems impossible to go wrong.
Extras 4
An extra mark for the Labatt Memorial Park Tour, which can be taken on a gameday. For $10, a trip through the stadium and Roy McKay Clubhouse with a discussion of the stadium’s unique history can’t be beat.
An extra mark for the London Majors and the 2020 Legacy Classic. With the 2020 IBL season cancelled due to the pandemic, the Majors hosted the Guelph Royals in a single game to continue the legacy of Labatt Memorial Park.
An extra mark for the history shared on the London Majors website. What the park lacks in displaying retired numbers and championships, is made up for with the massive repository of history on the Majors’ website. Definitely worth checking out!
An extra mark for the Forest City Cobra Chickens temporary rebranding. What began as an April Fool’s joke has morphed into a bit of a phenomenon, even garnering national attention. Cobra Chickens merchandise flies off the shelves and a Cobra Chickens game attracts a larger crowd.
Final Thoughts
It is hard to argue with the staying power that the London Majors have demonstrated along with the Intercounty Baseball League. Getting to see a game at Labatt Memorial Park is a treat and those hardcore baseball travelers who want to see a piece of history should definitely take advantage of an opportunity to catch the Majors.
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