$5 Things You Probably Didn\'t Know About Oriole Park at Camden Yards$

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Oriole Park at Camden Yards

By David Atlas

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Oriole Park at Camden Yards — Oriole Park at Camden Yards is truly a special place. It’s among baseball’s greatest stadiums, and it has completely changed what fans expect from a ballpark. Camden Yards set a benchmark for future stadiums and was the first sports venue to win a major award from the American Institute of Architects.

With Opening Day at the yard just around the corner, here’s a few fun facts that you might not have known.

5. The Playing Field is 16 Feet Below Street Level

Camden Yards Street Level

5. The Playing Field is 16 Feet Below Street Level

Camden Yards Street Level — No kidding. Next time you're watching an Orioles game, you can say you're watching a game of underground baseball. Well, not really, but you get the point.

4. The Foul Poles Were Brought Over From Memorial Stadium

Foul Pole at Camden Yards

4. The Foul Poles Were Brought Over From Memorial Stadium

Foul Pole at Camden Yards — Take that, Boston. You're not the only city that has infamous foul poles!

3. 45,969 of the 45,971 Seats Are Dark Green, Except For Two That Are Orange

Orange Seat at Oriole Park

3. 45,969 of the 45,971 Seats Are Dark Green, Except For Two That Are Orange

Orange Seat at Oriole Park — The first orange seat at Camden Yards is in memory of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking home run. On July 15, 1993 Ripken Jr. hit his 278th career home run to pass Ernie Banks for the most home runs ever hit by a shortstop. It's located in section 86, row FF, seat 10.

The other orange seat at Camden Yards is to commemorate Eddie Murray’s 500th career home run that he hit on Sept. 6, 1996. It's located in section 96, row 7, seat 23.

2. The Outfield Walls Are Completely Straight

Oriole Park Outfield

2. The Outfield Walls Are Completely Straight

Oriole Park Outfield — This may not seem like a big deal (okay, maybe it's not), but Camden Yards is the first MLB park since Ebbets Field (which opened on Apr. 5, 1913) to have the outfield wall made up entirely of straight segments.

1. The Baltimore Sun's Advertisement Is Clever

The Sun Advert

1. The Baltimore Sun's Advertisement Is Clever

The Sun Advert — The Baltimore Sun is the area's largest newspaper, and they have a huge glowing sign directly above the scoreboard at Camden Yards, which you probably already knew. What you probably didn't know is that it's the smartest glowing sign you'll ever see.

When there's a close call during a game, The Sun's advertisement helps you fill out your scorecard. If the umpires rule the play a hit, the "H" flashes. If it’s ruled an error, the "E" flashes.

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Baltimore Orioles

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