Lane Field

• Built: 1936 (Bleachers & Backstop)
• Capacity: 8,000 (1936); 9,000-12,000 later
• Record Attendance: 13,466 May 2, 1948
• Closed: September 8, 1957

Lane Field in San Diego, California, was home of the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League from 1936 to 1957. The field was first built as a U.S. Navy athletic field in 1925. The field also had a track, used for motorcycle and auto races. The first Padres game at Lane Field was played on March 31, 1936.

The next year, a roof was added over the main part of the seating, and attendance improved. Attendance was boosted by a PCL pennant-winning team and the attraction of budding young local star Ted Williams.

Known for its short right field, only 325 feet from home plate, the park was known as a hitter's haven. In its later years, Lane Field was plagued by termite problems, and the Padres moved to Westgate Park in 1958.

The site of Lane Field became Cruise Ship Parking, a parking lot between Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive which was used by cruise ship passengers. It is located approximately halfway between the Star of India and USS Midway museum ships.

Related Sites

• Lane Field (San Diego) at the SABR Bio Project