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Talk about a 'Green Monster'... Think you can knock a wiffleball over this 30-foot 'left field' wall at Eastern State? We want to try. (Photo by J. Fusco for Eastern State)

Talk about an awesome idea: the Young Friends of Fairmount are hosting a Wiffleball Home Run Derby inside the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary this Thursday as part of their Field Day event at the site.

A little background: there’s actually a baseball diamond inside Eastern State that was used by prisoners back in the day. In 1952, a powerhouse and maintenance shop in the northeast quadrant of the prison were demolished to make way for a baseball field for prisoners to use for recreation.

A home run fence — visible in the top left corner of the photo at right — was added on top of the already 30-foot high perimeter wall that runs along the prison’s north side along Brown Street to keep the batted balls from leaving the “yard” too often.

Fast-forward 60 years: now the Young Friends of Fairmount have found a new use for the baseball diamond — the perfect setting for a recreational Wiffleball Home Run Derby.

The Derby is part of the Young Friends’ Field Day event at the prison, taking place Thursday, August 16 from 5:30 to 7:30. The evening includes an exclusive tour of the historic penitentiary, a chance to participate in a variety of inmate inspired field day activities, beverages courtesy of Yards Brewery, light refreshments, and the Wiffleball Home Run Derby of course.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. (Note: there is a limited number of tickets available.)

Young Friends of Fairmount Field Day & Wiffleball Home Run Derby
When: Thursday, August 16 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Eastern State Penitentiary
Cost: $20-$25
More info: 19130.tumblr.com