On August 22, 2024 a fire destroyed Ontario’s historic Jay Littleton Ball Park. About 11:30 pm the Ontario Fire Department arrived at John Galvin Park to find structures at the ball park engulfed in smoke and flames. Five engines and two trucks responded to the scene and were able to knock down the fire, according to the Ontario Fire Department.
It’s unclear how the fire started. The facility had been renovated several times over the years, but officials said there’s likely a lot of old wood in the structure, which is dry and burns quickly and could have contributed to the magnitude of the flames.
The field hosted decades of youth and amateur baseball games. For one season, in 1947, the park was the home field of a minor league baseball team, the Ontario Orioles.
The ball park was also used for Hollywood movie shoots including A League of Their Own (1992), The Babe Ruth Story (1992) and Eight Men Out (1988). TV productions included an episode of The X Files (1999) and a flashback scene in an episode of Cold Case (2005) when the field was a stand-in for a Philadelphia stadium built in 1909.
The blaze’s cause was unclear and is being investigated according to Dan Kloosterman, fire investigation supervisor for the Ontario Fire Department. Arson investigators were combing through the burnt remains the day after the fire. Dan Bell, a city spokesperson, said officials do not yet have a damage estimate or information on the possible rebuilding of the stadium. “Unfortunately, it is a total loss,” Bell said. “Everyone in the community, from the staff to their kids that have played at the park themselves, are sad that this historical landmark is gone.” he said.
Field structures and the dugout were almost completely destroyed, but the scoreboard remained standing. Yellow caution tape was draped around the field’s perimeter and firefighters worked to clean up the scene, shoveling ash and carrying away burnt wooden structures. They could also be seen tearing down what was left of the charred wooden walls.
The ball park has been renovated several times, but officials said there was still likely a lot of old wood in the structure, which is dry and burns quickly. Ontario Eastern League president Aaron Matthiesen described conditions at the park in recent years as “dilapidated” with a rise in the number of unhoused people living there, but said there were signs of improvement at the baseball field.
No decision has been made on whether to rebuild the ball park
Ball Park History
The ball park, first known as Ontario Ball Park, was originally constructed in 1927. Between 1935 and 1937 it was enhanced by construction of a large wooden grandstand costing $30,000 paid for by Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds, The field dimensions are large – 402 feet from home plate to center field (seven feet deeper than Dodger Stadium). From 1937 to 1942, the ball park was the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.
The first official baseball game in the park was held March 14, 1937 between the Los Angeles Angels and the Ontario Merchants before a crowd of 3000. The Angels won 8-6. In 1947, the Ontario Orioles of the Sunset League made the ball park their home for one season. After World War II, the ball park was used by local baseball teams and organizations: Little League, Colt League, American Legion, American Baseball Congress and minor league baseball. Today the field is still used b Little Leagues and other amateur leagues. It is maintained by the City of Ontario Parks and Maintenance Department.
Because of its historic appearance, the ball park has also been used for commercials and movies, including The Babe (1992), A League of Their Own (1992) and an episode of the X-Files (1999). In February 2020, the ball park was again the site of a movie shoot for a remake of A League of Their Own by Amazon Studios. Filming took place on the field and in the locker room from February 8 to 10, 2020.
In 1998 the ball park was dedicated to Joe P. “Jay” Littleton in recognition of his contributions to Ontario youth baseball. A native of Louisiana and a World War II veteran, Littleton moved to Ontario as a youth with his family. He played youth baseball (Pony and Colt league and American legion) and as an adult was a scout for the Dodgers, Angels and Kansas City Royals. A resident of Ontario for 49 years, he was a general sales manager for 32 years at Citrus Motors Ford. He died July 5, 2003 at the age of 79. The ball park was designed as Ontario Historic Landmark No. 74 on September 16, 2003.
In October 2020, the ball park was selected by the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) to receive the Preservation Design Award for Cultural Resource Studies. Founded in 1977, CPF strives to save important California landmarks and neighborhoods. Its annual awards are selected by a jury of professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning and history; architecture critics; and journalists.
Prior to applying for the award, the City of Ontario commissioned an historic structure report (HSR) to guide the work of repairing and improving the ball park to maintain its viability and continued operation. Because of its historic landmark status, any changes had to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. The HSR documents the ball park’s existing condition and character-defining features and includes a five-year management plan intended to guide future rehabilitation work. It was the result of collaboration between City staff, structural engineers, preservation architects, and historic preservation professionals. The document is a comprehensive management tool to ensure conscientious stewardship of the park for years to come.
Sources: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, August 23, 2024; NBC News, August 23, 2024; Los Angeles Times, August 23, 2024; SF Gate, August 23, 2024; ABC 7 News, August 23, 2024; CBS KCAL News, August 23, 2024; New York Post, August 23, 2024; California Preservation Foundation, Ball Park Reviews, City of Ontario, Bombers Baseball Club of Southern California, Inland Valley Daily Report.
