San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lane Field Ballpark Site

First Home of the PCL San Diego Padres

— 1936-1957 —

Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., May 29, 2015

1. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

Inscription. Hurriedly built in two months by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for $25,000 in 1936, this wooden, green painted and later termite-infested ballpark was the original home of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) San Diego Padres. The breeze that once carried baseballs from Lane Field onto Pacific Highway still blows in from San Diego Bay. Legend goes that left-handed hitting Ted Williams…or Max West, Jack Graham, Luke Easter…or George McDonald hit a home run that bounced into an open boxcar. The ball was later found 120 miles away in Los Angeles. This was the longest home run ever hit.

Erected 2015 by San Diego Ted Williams Chapter, Society for American Baseball Research.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 32° 42.958′ N, 117° 10.368′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker is at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and West Broadway, on the right when traveling north on North Harbor Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 West Broadway, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. United States Aircraft Carrier Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Fe Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clifton A. F. Sprague, Vice Admiral, USN

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(approx. ¼ mile away); USS San Diego Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Tuna Fleet Service, World War II (1941-1945) (approx. ¼ mile away); Bridle-Arrest "Horns" (approx. ¼ mile away); San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed By Kevin W., May 29, 2015

2. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

"There's only one way to become a hitter. Go up to the plate and get mad. Get mad at yourself and mad at the pitcher.
- Ted Williams
San Diego Padres

Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 18, 2023

3. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

Photographed By Kevin W., May 29, 2015

4. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

The batter's box on the left states: "Lane Field, a WPA Project"
The batter's box on the right states: "22 Seasons, 1936-1957"

Photographed By Kevin W., May 29, 2015

5. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 18, 2023

6. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 18, 2023

7. Lane Field Ballpark Site Marker

Marker is worn and faded, becoming difficult to read.

America's Pastime Lives on the Waterfront image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., May 29, 2015

8. America's Pastime Lives on the Waterfront

Nearby signage adds:
The heart of the Embarcadero in the early 20th Century was Lane Field, the baseball home for the Pacific Coast League Padres. The site is now the future location of a waterfront hotel.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 8. submitted on May 30, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.