University of Tennessee Athletics
Local Ballfield Named for Helton
January 28, 2008 | Baseball
The baseball playing field at the site of old Bill Meyer Stadium in Knoxville's Caswell Park was renamed Ridley/Helton Ballfield during a ceremony there Monday morning.????
Former Tennessee baseball standout Todd Helton-a Knoxville native who played numerous games at the site while he was growing up-generously provided funds for improvements to the venue and will share in the new namesake honors with late local businessman Neal Ridley.??
Among those in attendance at Monday's ceremony were Helton, his wife, Christy, daughter, Tierney, and numerous other members of his family. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, UT Director of External Communications Bob Kesling, Helton's former coach at Knoxville's Central High School, Bud Bales, and current members of the Central baseball team also were present.??
"After coming back and seeing (this field), it's beautiful," Helton said. "It's kind of hard to picture after seeing Bill Meyer Stadium here for so long. It's different now, but it's a lot better. I think kids are going to have a great time out here.????
"My fondest memory of Bill Meyer Stadium and this area is probably my Dad bringing me to a game here. I can remember the disappointment because the game was actually rained out. I was probably 6 or 7 years old, but I remember the players came out and slid on the tarp when it was wet.????
"I thought that was the coolest thing. And after seeing all the people who came out to watch the game, I realized I really wanted to (be a baseball player). Hopefully now kids will come out and think the same thing.??
"I'm really proud to have my name on this field. And hopefully players who come out and play on this field will be proud to play on it, too."??
Joined at the event by other civic leaders, Haslam spoke about the passion with which the people of Knoxville supported Helton and the Rockies during the team's postseason run to the World Series last fall. He also spoke about the quality of Helton's character.??
"Everybody knows what an incredible baseball player Todd is," Haslam said. "He was the heart and soul of this year's National League champion (Colorado Rockies).????
"But he's also a great person, father and husband. When he was younger and starring in two sports growing up here in Knoxville, he was always around to take care of his mother in very special ways. We're all proud to have (his) name associated with this great field."??
Haslam also mentioned the historical significance of the Bill Meyer Stadium site.??
"Baseball has been played here since 1921," Haslam said. "A lot of famous players such as Bo Jackson, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew and even Babe Ruth have played here."??
Kesling, a driving force behind local efforts to honor the site, also rekindled thoughts of the site's glory days.??
"I remember a player named Cal Ripken playing third base here for the Asheville Tourists," Kesling said. "I remember players like Trevor Hoffman-who is now Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader-and Harold Baines. I remember all the great players who have played on this field over the years.??
"It's very important for our city to understand the history of this field."??
Ridley played a vital role in that history. Nicknamed "Mr. Baseball," Ridley was a local business owner who took interest in minor-league baseball in Knoxville. In 1956, he and John Duncan Sr. made a considerable investment in order to bring professional baseball back to the city.??
Ridley and his wife, Bonnie, sold tickets, worked concessions and even supervised the cleaning of the "Knoxville Smokies" uniforms.????
The team left town in 1967, but Ridley again brought pro baseball back to Knoxville in 1972. The Smokies became the Knoxville Sox that year, and they became the Knoxville Blue Jays after an agreement was signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980. Ridley passed away in 1981, and his family sold the team to Toronto shortly thereafter.??
Ridley was inducted into the Knoxville Hall of Fame on July 12, 2007.??
Other noteworthy names to have played on the newly-dubbed Ridley/Helton Ballfield include Don Mattingly, Phil Garner, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Alex Rodriguez, Tony LaRussa, Ed Bailey, Bubba Trammell, Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, Fred McGriff, Frank Thomas, Terry Francona and Earl Weaver, just to name a few.
