Exhibition Stadium Baseball Diamond Plaques – Running the Bases

By
Denise Marie
-

On the west side of Parking Lot 2, just south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place, you can still run the bases of the former Exhibition Stadium baseball diamond. Four engraved stone plaques mark the exact position where the three bases and home plate used to be. They’re barely visible in the vast parking lot, so they may take some time to spot.

The former Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand was completed in time for the 1948 Canadian National Exhibition. The stadium was the site of many concerts and events and was also home to a few sports teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club. They played their first home game at the former Exhibition Stadium in April 1977 and moved to the SkyDome (today’s Rogers Centre) in 1989.

Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand was demolished in 1999, and eight years later, BMO Field was built on the northern portion of the former venue’s site.

Baseball Diamond Plaque Photos

2023 - Looking north in Lot 2 at Exhibition Place from the home plate stone marker for the former Exhibition Stadium baseball diamond with BMO Field in the background
2023 – Looking north in Lot 2 at Exhibition Place from the home plate stone marker for the former Exhibition Stadium baseball diamond with BMO Field in the background
2023 - 1st Base stone plaque in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Four engraved markers show the exact position of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium
2023 – 1st Base stone plaque in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Four engraved markers show the exact position of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium
2023 - Stone plaque marking the position of 2nd Base of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium. The markers are located in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place
2023 – Stone plaque marking the position of 2nd Base of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium. The markers are located in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place
2023 - 3rd Base stone marker in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Four engraved plaques show the position of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium
2023 – 3rd Base stone marker in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Four engraved plaques show the position of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium
2023 - Stone plaque marking the position of Home Plate of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium. The plaques are located in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place
2023 – Stone plaque marking the position of Home Plate of the baseball diamond once in the former Exhibition Stadium. The plaques are located in Lot 2, south of BMO Field at Exhibition Place
September 24, 1977 – The Blue Jays played their first home game at Exhibition Stadium against the Chicago White Sox on April 7, 1977, and won 9 to 5. In 1989, the Toronto Blue Jays moved to the SkyDome (Rogers Centre). The archive photo shows Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox on September 24, 1977, playing at Exhibition Stadium
September 24, 1977 – The Blue Jays played their first home game at Exhibition Stadium against the Chicago White Sox on April 7, 1977, and won 9 to 5. In 1989, the Toronto Blue Jays moved to the SkyDome (Rogers Centre). The archive photo shows Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox on September 24, 1977, playing at Exhibition Stadium (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 95, Item 60)
Between 1978 and 1987 – An aerial view of Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand. The venue was home to the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 until 1989. Today, stone plaques in Lot 2, south of BMO Field, mark the exact position of where the three bases and home plate used to be in the former Exhibition Stadium
Between 1978 and 1987 – An aerial view of Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand. The venue was home to the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 until 1989. Today, stone plaques in Lot 2, south of BMO Field, mark the exact position of where the three bases and home plate used to be in the former Exhibition Stadium (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 363, Item 12)
2023 - An aerial view showing a portion of BMO Field and the location of the stone baseball diamond plaques in Lot 2 and BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Notice the footprint of the former Exhibition Stadium is still somewhat visible in the satellite photo
2023 – An aerial view showing a portion of BMO Field and the location of the stone baseball diamond plaques in Lot 2 and BMO Field at Exhibition Place. Notice the footprint of the former Exhibition Stadium is still somewhat visible in the satellite photo (Google Maps)
2022 – A granite bench commemorating the Toronto Blue Jays opening game on April 7, 1977, is located on the southeast side of the Food Building. It's one of 18 granite benches at Exhibition Place that were designed by Toronto-based artist Stephen Cruise and installed in 2007
2022 – A granite bench commemorating the Toronto Blue Jays opening game on April 7, 1977, is located on the southeast side of the Food Building. It’s one of 18 granite benches at Exhibition Place that were designed by Toronto-based artist Stephen Cruise and installed in 2007
2023 – The plaque reads: 25 Years of Blue Jays Baseball "April 7, 1977, marked the introduction of Major League Baseball to Toronto when the Blue Jays Baseball Club played their first home game. They won that memorable opener and have since brought great excitement and entertainment to the City. Playing first at Exhibition Stadium and then at the unique SkyDome, enthusiasm rapidly grew in both players and fans alike. The Blue Jays achieved a major victory in 1985 by winning the American League East Championship. This Pennant was brought home again in 1989 and onward from 1991 until 1993. New heights were met in 1992 and 1993 when they became the American League Champions. The ultimate victory was achieved in 1992 when the Blue Jays won the World Series Championship, the first Canadian team to earn this honour. The next year the Jays followed up with their second spectacular World Series win. As the Blue Jays enter their 25th Anniversary season, the proud sports tradition continues to the call of "PLAY BALL!" ROGERS - Toronto Culture
2023 – The plaque reads:

25 Years of Blue Jays Baseball

“April 7, 1977, marked the introduction of Major League Baseball to Toronto when the Blue Jays Baseball Club played their first home game. They won that memorable opener and have since brought great excitement and entertainment to the City. Playing first at Exhibition Stadium and then at the unique SkyDome, enthusiasm rapidly grew in both players and fans alike.

The Blue Jays achieved a major victory in 1985 by winning the American League East Championship. This Pennant was brought home again in 1989 and onward from 1991 until 1993. New heights were met in 1992 and 1993 when they became the American League Champions. The ultimate victory was achieved in 1992 when the Blue Jays won the World Series Championship, the first Canadian team to earn this honour. The next year the Jays followed up with their second spectacular World Series win. As the Blue Jays enter their 25th Anniversary season, the proud sports tradition continues to the call of “PLAY BALL!”

ROGERS – Toronto Culture
SOURCE

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR