Baseball Returns to Nashville’s Sulphur Dell — Without That 22-Foot Hill In Right Field

Right field at the Nashville Sounds’ new ballpark will feature a guitar-shaped scoreboard, a state-of-the-art field drainage system and an outdoor sports bar.

But Nashville baseball historian Skip Nipper says it won’t include one of the quirkiest parts of the old ballpark at Sulphur Dell: a quickly-rising slope in right field.

“You had a ball field that if the right fielder is standing at the base of the fence, he’s 22 ½ feet above the playing surface,” said Nipper. “So it created some interesting opportunities for him either to throw someone out, catch a ball or climb the hill, roll down the hill or whatever it might take.”

In addition to being uphill, the old right field was also short. While the center field fence was more than 420 feet away, the right field fence stood only 262 feet from home plate. 

Professional baseball was last played at Sulphur Dell in 1963. The name of the site, Nipper says, was coined by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice.

The main tenant of the old stadium was Nashville’s minor league team, the Vols.  But Nipper says many established big league stars also played at Sulphur Dell too.

“You also had teams that visited as they broke spring training, they would play exhibition games here.  The New York Yankees is always a favorite, to hear stories of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig playing there,” said Nipper. “Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators and the Brooklyn Dodgers – they all played here.”

First Tennessee Park

Construction began on the new ballpark in January, 2014. Including the land purchase, the city of Nashville has spent $75 million dollars on the project. 

“There’s no doubt that it’s a growth area. As Nashville grows, that area will grow too,” said Nipper. “Historically, traditionally, ballparks were placed in not-so-great parts of town and everything grew up around it.  Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, all those places were built up around the ballpark.”

During a tour of the ballpark in mid-March, Sounds’ owner Frank Ward was already looking forward to Opening Day.

“This place is going to be packed. Everyone having a good time… and just enjoying themselves.  Whether you want to watch baseball or just come out and have a good time with your friends or the family. That’s what it’s all about,” said Ward.

The Sounds are set to open their new ballpark Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against Colorado Springs.