This is a four-part geocache. The first part is pretty easy to spot, and will give you a hint to the second part and so on. All four parts are relatively close together. Please only try this one during daylight, unless there happens to be a game that night. It may be more difficult then, but you're always welcome to try. All clues are found outside the stadium, so please don't go inside looking for the clues and/or the geocache. We think you'll be surprised when you get to the last part and have so sign the 'logbook'. It is unique and was actually used inside the stadium.
If you've never seen a game at Limport Stadium, you'll have to check one out. There is usually a minimal fee to enter, bathrooms, and a snack stand. There are games almost every night on a variety of levels. There is no better place to watch a baseball game than Limeport Stadium.
The stadium was originally built in 1933 by Mr. Fegely. Howard “Lefty” Fegely was not only the founder of the Stadium, but a well-known baseball legend in the Lehigh Valley in the 1900’s. The fascinating history and long lasting tradition has kept this stadium alive.
The Stadium was constructed at a cost of approximately $75,000. Tons of steel beams and wooden planks were brought in by truck to be used for the construction. The flooring was made out of iron so that it was assured a long life. The flooring had not been touched until a couple years ago when it was ripped out and replaced. Three sections of stands were constructed in an arc shape around home plate. It could seat crowds a little over 1000 people. The fold down seats were handmade in Reading, Pennsylvania. The lower level has a tunnel that leads to the bathrooms, locker room, utility room, and a social hall. Built-in dugouts were made of brick and concrete, which have not been modified to this day. The original locust post fence surrounding the stadium remained in its original state until 1993. It was replaced with pressure treated wood.
Limeport Stadium is notorious for its sloped centerfield. This is the result of a gigantic boulder that is under the ground in center field. Back when the stadium was being built it would have been too expensive to blast and level the field so it was kept as it was.
The stadium is owned and maintained by the members of Limeport Stadium Incorporated (LSI). It is a non-profit organization made up of over fifty volunteer men and women. The IRS threatened to put the stadium up for public auction. LSI took over ownership of the stadium in 1989. Since its Incorporation, LSI has made over $100,000 of improvements and renovations. Money used for renovations and maintenance is derived from fundraisers and donations. An annual baseball banquet is held every year to give out awards, raise money for the stadium, and listen to a guest speaker. A big meal is prepared and a famous guest speaker gets on stage and tells you about his career. Some of the past speakers have been: Richie Ashburn, Tommy Lasorda, Larry Bowa, Jim Honnicheck, Bobby Shantz, Mickey Vernon, Curt Simmons, Bill White, Elmer Valo, Craig Anderson, Dallas Green and Tug McGraw. The first guest speaker was Coopersburg’s very own Jim Schaffer on February 1, 1986. Jim Schaffer played in the major leagues for 14 years and coached in the minors and majors. His professional baseball career spanned over 35 years. There were 250 people in attendance that night. Other famous people have visited, or played at the Stadium including Connie Mack, Max Patkin (the Clown Prince of Baseball), the Philly Fanatic, Dick Spaulding and Johnnie Welaj.
Throughout the years many teams have played at Limeport. For a while it has been the home field for the Limeport Bulls, Dodgers, Southern Lehigh High School, Connie Mack, American Legion, and Allentown College. Limeport Stadium has a great historic value in our community that many people did not know about. The contributions of the volunteer members of this stadium are why the stadium still stands today. From the Great Depression to today, the stadium represents the national pastime of the American people and how the love of the game was so important to Mr. Fegely. The stadium, which has stood the test of time, is still in good condition and is evidence of quality worksmanship. Like a true field of dreams, Mr. Fegely built his “love of baseball” for the crowds to come and take-part in America’s pastime.
Exerts were taken from an article written by Matt Fulton on the Limeport Stadium website. Please check it out for more information about Limeport Stadium. http://limeportstadium.org/