http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks From the wooden parks of the 19th century to today's retro-modern stadiums, ballpark design has changed with the times. Explore these trends and some of the historic parks that epitomize them. en Copyright 2013, History.com Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-24T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo1 Built in 1876, New York City's Polo Grounds was one of the earliest baseball stadiums. Four New York teams played there before its demolition in 1964: the Metropolitans, the Giants, the Yankees and the Mets. It accommodated roughly 16,000 people. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo2 As baseball's popularity grew around the turn of the century, so did the need for new and bigger ballparks. Most were built in the "Jewel Box" style, featuring brick facades, green seats and exposed steel. Built in 1913, Chicago's Wrigley Field is one of the few classic parks still in use. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo3 Built in 1912 and home of the Red Sox, Boston's Fenway Park is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use. It has been the site of many great moments in baseball, including the triumph of the Red Sox in the 2004 World Series after an 86-year drought. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo4 Fenway Park's signature feature is a green wall that towers over left field, nicknamed the Green Monster. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo5 Built in the Jewel Box style in 1923, New York's famous Yankee Stadium underwent multiple renovations over the years that significantly changed its appearance. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo6 The famous "House that Ruth Built" hosted its last game in September 2008. Its replacement, located right next door, replicates many features of the original 1923 ballpark. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo7 In the 1960s, the era of the multi-purpose stadium--made to host various sports--dawned. These "cookie-cutter" venues were made of bare concrete and lacked the intimate feel of the classic ballparks. A multi-purpose stadium that opened in 1965, Houston's Astrodome was the first to feature a roof. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo8 In 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in Baltimore. Replicating many of the features of the classic Jewel Box stadiums, it launched a new trend in ballpark design. Since then, many new parks have been built in the retro style. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo9 AT&T Park, which opened in 2000, evokes the classic ballparks of the early 1900s with throwback features like a red brick facade. The ballpark is known for its proximity to the McCovey Cove section of the San Francisco Bay, which has swallowed many a home run over the years. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo10 Home of the New York Mets, Citi Field replaced the adjacent Shea Stadium in 2009. Its design is strongly reminiscent of Ebbets Field, where the Brooklyn Dodgers played from 1913 to 1948. The stadium's rotunda is named for Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier at Ebbets on April 15, 1947. http://www.history.com/photos/historic-ballparks/photo10