Located in the heart of downtown Cannon Falls, Minnesota, John Burch Park shows off many unique characteristics that not many baseball fields around have. As Todd Mueller, author of the book Town Ball Parks of Minnesota would say, it is "perfectly imperfect". People who take in a Bears or Bombers (the local high school team) game can't help but wonder about the legend of John Burch.
*CHECK OUT* - The John Burch Park 100-Year Project - CLICK HERE
John Burch
John Burch was a native of the neighboring town of Randolph, Minnesota. He grew up being a baseball junkie on a local farm. John graduated from Randolph High School and later attended Hamline University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he played baseball for the Pipers and graduated with a degree in History. After college, he married Jennette Lee Scriver and had two children. He played baseball while he was in the Army and also played for the Randolph, Stanton, Goodhue, and Cannon Falls town teams. The cleats were then hung up and his retirement from baseball came in 1961. In his interview for Town Ball Parks of Minnesota, he admitted that hitting for the fence was never his goal - his sights were always on the Cannon River and beyond (Mueller, pg. 34). The field at the time, and currently, has a short left field fence with the river lying behind it. Many baseballs flowed down the river from Mr. Burch. John was involved in the Cannon Falls community where he played softball, umpired baseball games, and ran the concession stand, among other things. His name would later be honored with the name of the Cannon Falls ball field in 2000. John passed away in 2012 at the age of 96.
*CHECK OUT* - The John Burch Park 100-Year Project - CLICK HERE
John Burch
John Burch was a native of the neighboring town of Randolph, Minnesota. He grew up being a baseball junkie on a local farm. John graduated from Randolph High School and later attended Hamline University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he played baseball for the Pipers and graduated with a degree in History. After college, he married Jennette Lee Scriver and had two children. He played baseball while he was in the Army and also played for the Randolph, Stanton, Goodhue, and Cannon Falls town teams. The cleats were then hung up and his retirement from baseball came in 1961. In his interview for Town Ball Parks of Minnesota, he admitted that hitting for the fence was never his goal - his sights were always on the Cannon River and beyond (Mueller, pg. 34). The field at the time, and currently, has a short left field fence with the river lying behind it. Many baseballs flowed down the river from Mr. Burch. John was involved in the Cannon Falls community where he played softball, umpired baseball games, and ran the concession stand, among other things. His name would later be honored with the name of the Cannon Falls ball field in 2000. John passed away in 2012 at the age of 96.
The Ballpark
Established in 1938, this ball field has been a tourist attraction for people visiting Cannon Falls. John Burch Park is a Cannon Falls iconic landmark. The park hosts high school, American Legion, VFW, and Bears baseball games in the spring and summer, in addition to JV and Varsity high school football games in the fall.
Once a swampland, construction began in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which hauled in fill and built the limestone wall. The project was completed in 1938. Home plates sat in from of the current bandshell at one time. John Burch Park is right up there with some of the top baseball fields in the state of Minnesota.
Football Field
Not only is John Burch Park used as a baseball field in the spring and summer months, but in the fall the Cannon Falls Bombers football team plays their home games there. With there being lights, it provides the opportunity for Friday night lights. One end zone starts on the left field line and goes through the back edge of the infield dirt all the way past to where the right center field fence would be. If you catch a baseball game, you are able to see both field goal posts and can imagine what the dimensions of the football field would be. After the baseball season is over, the center field to right field fence is taken down and stored away for football to be played.
Established in 1938, this ball field has been a tourist attraction for people visiting Cannon Falls. John Burch Park is a Cannon Falls iconic landmark. The park hosts high school, American Legion, VFW, and Bears baseball games in the spring and summer, in addition to JV and Varsity high school football games in the fall.
Once a swampland, construction began in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which hauled in fill and built the limestone wall. The project was completed in 1938. Home plates sat in from of the current bandshell at one time. John Burch Park is right up there with some of the top baseball fields in the state of Minnesota.
Football Field
Not only is John Burch Park used as a baseball field in the spring and summer months, but in the fall the Cannon Falls Bombers football team plays their home games there. With there being lights, it provides the opportunity for Friday night lights. One end zone starts on the left field line and goes through the back edge of the infield dirt all the way past to where the right center field fence would be. If you catch a baseball game, you are able to see both field goal posts and can imagine what the dimensions of the football field would be. After the baseball season is over, the center field to right field fence is taken down and stored away for football to be played.
Left Field Fence
The uniqueness is all around. Starting with the left field fence. Down the left field line, it is only 293 feet from home plate (a right-handed hitter's dream), but the height of the fence makes up for it. Many left fielders catch themselves tracking down fly balls and they either have the choice of jumping up for it and smacking the wall or playing it off of the wall to cut down a runner trying to leg out a double. When home runs go over this fence, there is a good chance that the ball could land in the Cannon River. Having the river by the field has caused some flooding in the past.
Crows Nest
As the fence goes to left center and past the scoreboard, there stands the crows nest. The structure is used for local TV to live video games during the spring and summer. In the fall, the crows nest is used as a film location and where the coaches box for football coaches to help with play calling duing football games. Many homeruns have surfaced the crows nest, which at around 335 feet. As the fence goes down, centerfield is at around 370 feet, and right-center is about 345 feet. Behind the crows nest and centerfied is a scenice view of trees and bluffs.
Beyond Right Field
Beyond the right field fence lies a band shell in the back-right corner, which was constructed in 1938. The band shell is frequently used in the spring and summer months with live concerts, church services, and national anthems being played by the Cannon Falls Community Band. Kids that come to games are seen playing wiffle ball behind the fence as games go on which adds to the fun atmosphere on game day. Also, behind the fence is where the away teams' bullpen. Making it for a long trek for opposing pitchers. For a homerun over the right field fence, that can be measured at 312 feet down the line.
The uniqueness is all around. Starting with the left field fence. Down the left field line, it is only 293 feet from home plate (a right-handed hitter's dream), but the height of the fence makes up for it. Many left fielders catch themselves tracking down fly balls and they either have the choice of jumping up for it and smacking the wall or playing it off of the wall to cut down a runner trying to leg out a double. When home runs go over this fence, there is a good chance that the ball could land in the Cannon River. Having the river by the field has caused some flooding in the past.
Crows Nest
As the fence goes to left center and past the scoreboard, there stands the crows nest. The structure is used for local TV to live video games during the spring and summer. In the fall, the crows nest is used as a film location and where the coaches box for football coaches to help with play calling duing football games. Many homeruns have surfaced the crows nest, which at around 335 feet. As the fence goes down, centerfield is at around 370 feet, and right-center is about 345 feet. Behind the crows nest and centerfied is a scenice view of trees and bluffs.
Beyond Right Field
Beyond the right field fence lies a band shell in the back-right corner, which was constructed in 1938. The band shell is frequently used in the spring and summer months with live concerts, church services, and national anthems being played by the Cannon Falls Community Band. Kids that come to games are seen playing wiffle ball behind the fence as games go on which adds to the fun atmosphere on game day. Also, behind the fence is where the away teams' bullpen. Making it for a long trek for opposing pitchers. For a homerun over the right field fence, that can be measured at 312 feet down the line.
The Rock Wall
Outlining the first base side and over the away teams' dugout is the rock wall. Up on the top of the rock wall is where most fans that come to watch baseball at John Burch Park like to sit. This is one of the very unique parts of the field. There have been many miracuolous catches by first-baseman climbing the side of the rock wall... just ask Keith Meyers and Luke Winchell how those feel afterwards. Up on the side of the hill, there are four rows of rock seating and above that are picnic tables to sit on. Further down the line, fans will line up the side with lawn chairs. It's a great place to watch a baseball game, but be cautious and pay attention of foul balls during the games!
Concession Stand
Where the soul of the park is. Without a great concession stand, a baseball field is not complete. Serving up hot dogs, burgers, brats, popcorn, candy, water, pop, and we can't forget the beer! Bears apparel is also for sale in game days in the concession stand. This hot spot is what brings people together after games. Many opposing teams stay after and enjoy conversation about the game. This is where conncections and memories are made.
Grand Stand
Located behind home plate. The grand stand is elevated about ten feet high for fans to get more of an aerial view of the ball game. Netting keeps the fans safe of foul balls. After rows of seating there is a press box, which legends like Gordy Kosfeld live broadcast games. If you make your way up to the press box you will see many past players, coaches, and fans signatures on the table. A secret spot to watch a baseball game at John Burch Park is underneath the grand stand. It is seen many times that people line up their chairs behind home plate to catch a level view of the ball game. It's a must watch location!
Outlining the first base side and over the away teams' dugout is the rock wall. Up on the top of the rock wall is where most fans that come to watch baseball at John Burch Park like to sit. This is one of the very unique parts of the field. There have been many miracuolous catches by first-baseman climbing the side of the rock wall... just ask Keith Meyers and Luke Winchell how those feel afterwards. Up on the side of the hill, there are four rows of rock seating and above that are picnic tables to sit on. Further down the line, fans will line up the side with lawn chairs. It's a great place to watch a baseball game, but be cautious and pay attention of foul balls during the games!
Concession Stand
Where the soul of the park is. Without a great concession stand, a baseball field is not complete. Serving up hot dogs, burgers, brats, popcorn, candy, water, pop, and we can't forget the beer! Bears apparel is also for sale in game days in the concession stand. This hot spot is what brings people together after games. Many opposing teams stay after and enjoy conversation about the game. This is where conncections and memories are made.
Grand Stand
Located behind home plate. The grand stand is elevated about ten feet high for fans to get more of an aerial view of the ball game. Netting keeps the fans safe of foul balls. After rows of seating there is a press box, which legends like Gordy Kosfeld live broadcast games. If you make your way up to the press box you will see many past players, coaches, and fans signatures on the table. A secret spot to watch a baseball game at John Burch Park is underneath the grand stand. It is seen many times that people line up their chairs behind home plate to catch a level view of the ball game. It's a must watch location!
Amateur State Baseball Tournaments Hosted
Cannon Falls has been lucky to have hosted two Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournaments in it's history. The first was held in 1985 and the second in 1991. The following is information for on the Minnesota Baseball Association's State Tournament Archives site.
1985 State Tournament
In 1985, Cannon Falls (John Burch Park) hosted with Red Wing (Red Wing Athletic Field). The Class A state championship that year was between the Minneapolis Halek's and the St. Paul Steichen's. The Minneapolis Halek's defeated the St. Paul Steichen's 7-5. In Class AA, the championship game was between the Arlington A's and the Red Wing Aces. The Arlington A's defeated the Red Wing Aces 6-5 to win the state title. There was an estimated 13,681 total amount of people that went to watch the state tournament that year between both parks.
1991 State Tournament
In 1991, Cannon Falls (John Burch Park) hosted again with the Red Wing Aces (Red Wing Athletic Field). The Class A state championship had the St. Paul Angels and St. Paul East Side matching up. The St. Paul Angels defeated St. Paul East Side by a score of 4-0. In Class B state championship game, the Rochester Royals and the Miesville Mudhens faced off. Rochester won the game 11-8 to secure the title. In Class C, the Regal Eagles defeated the Belle Plaine Tigers 7-3. There was an estimated14,063 total amount of people that went to watch the state tournament that year between both parks.
Cannon Falls has been lucky to have hosted two Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournaments in it's history. The first was held in 1985 and the second in 1991. The following is information for on the Minnesota Baseball Association's State Tournament Archives site.
1985 State Tournament
In 1985, Cannon Falls (John Burch Park) hosted with Red Wing (Red Wing Athletic Field). The Class A state championship that year was between the Minneapolis Halek's and the St. Paul Steichen's. The Minneapolis Halek's defeated the St. Paul Steichen's 7-5. In Class AA, the championship game was between the Arlington A's and the Red Wing Aces. The Arlington A's defeated the Red Wing Aces 6-5 to win the state title. There was an estimated 13,681 total amount of people that went to watch the state tournament that year between both parks.
1991 State Tournament
In 1991, Cannon Falls (John Burch Park) hosted again with the Red Wing Aces (Red Wing Athletic Field). The Class A state championship had the St. Paul Angels and St. Paul East Side matching up. The St. Paul Angels defeated St. Paul East Side by a score of 4-0. In Class B state championship game, the Rochester Royals and the Miesville Mudhens faced off. Rochester won the game 11-8 to secure the title. In Class C, the Regal Eagles defeated the Belle Plaine Tigers 7-3. There was an estimated14,063 total amount of people that went to watch the state tournament that year between both parks.
* Photo Credits: Wanda Lindow