Union Grounds holds a special place in the history of baseball as the first enclosed baseball park. Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, it opened its doors in 1862. This innovative design allowed for the collection of admission fees, setting a precedent for future baseball parks. The park's creation marked a significant shift in how baseball games were experienced by fans and managed by teams.
The Innovative Design of Union Grounds
Union Grounds was a pioneer in the
world of baseball parks due to its fully enclosed design. This feature was revolutionary at the time, as it allowed the park's proprietor, William Cammeyer, to charge admission fees. The enclosure consisted of a fence that surrounded the entire park, ensuring that only paying customers could enjoy the games from the comfort of benches in the stands. Non-paying spectators were relegated to watching from embankments outside the grounds.
The park was strategically built on a large block bounded by Harrison Avenue, Rutledge Street, Lynch Street, and Marcy Avenue. The entrance was located on Rutledge Street, and a one-story building in right field, 350 feet from home plate, was part of the playing area. The diamond was situated in the northeast portion of the block, providing a unique layout for the time.
Union Grounds as a Home for Baseball Clubs
During its early years, Union Grounds served as the home field for several notable baseball clubs. Among them was the Eckford Club, which became the champions of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1862 and 1863. In 1868, the Mutual Club of New York moved to Union Grounds from Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey, which had never been enclosed.
The park continued to host various teams after the formation of the first professional league, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. From 1871 to 1876, the Mutual Club called Union Grounds home, and the park also hosted the Eckford of Brooklyn and the Atlantic Club of Brooklyn during the early 1870s. The grounds even served as a temporary home for the Chicago White Stockings in 1871 after the Great Chicago Fire destroyed their home grounds.
The Legacy of Union Grounds
Union Grounds was more than just a baseball park; it was a cultural landmark that influenced the development of future baseball venues. Its enclosed design set a standard for how baseball parks would be constructed, allowing teams to generate revenue through ticket sales. The park continued to host games until 1878, and even after its final major league game, it remained a venue for barnstorming major league clubs, amateur clubs, and independent teams until 1882.
Although Union Grounds was demolished in 1883, its legacy lives on as a trailblazer in the world of baseball parks. The site is now occupied by the Marcy Avenue Armory and the Juan Morel Campos Secondary School, with no historical marker to indicate its significance. Nonetheless, Union Grounds remains a pivotal chapter in the history of baseball, remembered for its innovative design and role in shaping the future of the sport.
