Estadio Hiram Bithorn

From BR Bullpen

Location: San Juan, PR
Built: 1962
Seating Capacity: 18,000
Playing Surface Grass
Left Field Wall: 325 ft.
Left Center: 375 ft.
Center Field Wall: 404 ft.
Right Center: 375 ft.
Right Field Wall: 325 ft.

[edit] History

Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, PR is named after pitcher Hiram Bithorn, the first Puerto Rican to play in the major leagues. Estadio Hiram Bithorn, which is located next to the Roberto Clemente Colloseum, is operated by the Municipal government of San Juan, and although it is smaller than Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium in nearby Carolina, PR, it is the only Puerto Rican stadium to have hosted Major League games. In 2001 Estadio Hiram Bithorn was the site of MLB's opening day where the Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Texas Rangers. Hiram Bithorn was home to the Montreal Expos for 22 games each in 2003 and 2004. San Juan made an attempt to lure the Expos to Puerto Rico permanently before the franchise moved to Washington, DC. In 2006 and 2009 Estadio Hiram Bithorn was home to a pool in the first round of the World Baseball Classic.

[edit] Unique Features

During the off season, Estadio Hiram Bithorn is home to the Atléticos de San Juan and Academia Quintana, two soccer teams playing in the Puerto Rico Soccer League founded in 2008. The field is converted into a soccer field with one goal facing the third base grandstands, and one goal facing the right field bleachers.

One of the downsides to Estadio Hiram Bithorn is that fans in the outfield bleachers are completely segregated from the fans in the more expensive box seating. There is no way for a fan to venture from the outfield to the infield concourse, and there is no cover from the hot Puerto Rican sunshine when in the outfield bleachers.