Lamar Porter Field
1. The exterior of Lamar Porter Field.
Lamar Porter Field
| Built | 1934-1936 |
| Opened | 1937 |
| Closed | Still Open |
| Torn Down | Still Stands |
| Used by/for | Catholic High Rockets (High School) Unknown-Present
Little Rock Episcopal Wildcats (High School) Unknown-Present |
| Location | W 7th St, Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Capacity | 1,500 |
History:
Lamar Porter Field is currently the home of the Little Rock Catholic Rockets and Little Rock Episcopal Wildcats high school baseball teams. The ballpark has also been used by numerous other high school, American Legion and semi-pro teams over the years, as well as many baseball tournaments.
2. A panoramic view of the ballpark.
The ballpark officially opened in 1937, making it the 3rd oldest ballpark in Arkansas. Surprisingly, the ballpark has never been used for professional baseball in its 70+ years of existence, despite being one of the nicest baseball facilities in the history of the state.
The park features a covered steel and concrete grandstand, consisting entirely of green, wooden benches, suitably seating approximately 1,500. Underneath the grandstand are concessions, restrooms and locker rooms. A small scorer’s table is located atop the grandstand behind homeplate.
3. The grandstand, mostly unchanged for more than 70 years.
Work began on the park in 1934 as a Works Progress Administration project. The land the ballpark is on was donated by the family of Lamar Porter, a native of Little Rock who was killed in an automobile accident in early 1934 while attending college. The park was named in his memory.
Since it opened, Lamar Porter Field has been the starting place for many professional baseball players. The most famous of these is Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Fame player considered by some to be one of the greatest third basemen in history, who was born in Little Rock and played at Lamar Porter Field in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
4. A plaque located outside the park.
The ballpark stands today as an iconic place in Little Rock and is virtually unchanged from when it opened. On December 6th, 1990, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and is well kept for that reason. Lamar Porter Field is one of only two ballparks in the state on the register, and is a one of kind place.
For more and larger photos of this ballpark, see the Lamar Porter Field Gallery.