St. John’s University

Interior of the ballpark at St. John’s University, Aug-2000.

Looking out at the ballpark from behind home plate.

Chronological Tour: Stop 191

• Location: Utopia Parkway and Union Turnpike, Jamaica (Queens), N.Y.
• Opened: 2000 as The Ballpark at St. John’s
• Closed: 2000 (for pro baseball)
• Additional names: Jack Kaiser Stadium (2007)
• Home team: Queens Kings, New York-Penn League (2000); St. John’s University Red Storm, Big East Conference
• Capacity: 3,500

Rating: 2 baseballs

St. John’s field received a major upgrade in order to accommodate one season of New York-Penn League ball. The field, which used to point somewhat to the west, now points to a more orthodox northeast.

While the entire structure is aluminum, the place doesn’t look bad for a temporary facility. The benches behind the plate and down parts of the base lines have seat backs. The bullpens are both located behind the right-field fence, with plexiglass windows so the pitching staff can see the game.

The Kings moved to a new park in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn in 2001. But this park won’t be abandoned – the Red Storm of St. John’s will get to use the new, upgraded field for years to come.

The Red Storm renamed the field in 2007 to honor Jack Kaiser, a three-sport athlete from the 1940s who went on to serve as a coach for 21 years and as the school’s athletic director for 23 years.