“Fowl crowing” echoes in my mind when I think of Sick’s Stadium. We’re standing on hallowed ground. This was once the site of Sick’s Stadium in Seattle.
Sick’s Stadium holds a special place in Seattle’s baseball history. It was more than just a ballpark. It was a community hub.
Originally known as Sick’s Seattle Stadium it stood at the corner of Rainier Avenue S and S. McClellan Street. Before Sick’s Stadium existed Dugdale Park stood here. Dugdale Park was a baseball stadium built in 1913 for the Seattle Indians. A fire destroyed Dugdale Park on Independence Day in 1932. The team then played at Civic Field until Sick’s Stadium was built.
Emil Sick owned the Rainier Brewing Company. He also owned the Seattle Rainiers. Sick’s Stadium opened on June 15, 1938. It was the home field for the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. The stadium was named in Emil Sick’s honor. After Emil Sick’s death in 1964, the park’s name changed to Sick’s Stadium. This honored the entire Sick’s family.
For many years, the Rainiers played at Sick’s Stadium. They won five PCL pennants. These were in 1939, 1940, 1941, 1951 and 1955. The stadium became a beloved place for baseball fans. In 1946, the Seattle Steelheads of the West Coast Baseball Association briefly played at Sick’s Stadium.
In 1969, Major League Baseball came to Seattle. The Seattle Pilots played their only season at Sick’s Stadium. But Sick’s Stadium wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues. There were issues. The stadium needed expansion to 30,000 seats. Only 17,000 seats were ready for opening day. Many fans had to wait to find their seats.
Even after expansion to 25,000 seats, some views were obstructed. The water pressure was poor. Players often showered at their hotels. Despite these problems, fans came to see the Pilots play. Ultimately the Pilots declared bankruptcy after only one season. They moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.
After the Pilots left, a new Class A team named the Rainiers played at Sick’s Stadium. This lasted until 1976. Major League Baseball returned to Seattle with the Mariners in 1977. But they played at the Kingdome, not Sick’s Stadium.
Sick’s Stadium was demolished in 1979. Today, a Lowe’s Home Improvement store stands on the site. A sign marks the location of the stadium. There is a replica of home plate near the store’s exit.
Though Sick’s Stadium is gone its legacy remains. It was a place where fans gathered. It was a place where memories were made. So next time you’re buying hardware, remember the crack of the bat. Remember the roar of the crowd at Sick’s Stadium.