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Crosley Field, home of
the Cincinnati Reds for nearly six decades was a small pristine
ballpark with lots of charm and character. The history of the Reds
in Cincinnati dates back to 1869. Prior to moving into Crosley Field
the team played at several ballparks including Bank Street Grounds,
two ballparks known as League Park and Palace of the Fans. Located
along the intersection of Findlay and Western Avenues, the Reds
played at the second League Park from 1894 until 1901. In 1902 Reds
owner John Brush rebuilt the grandstand of League Park. Named Palace
of the Fans it was built mostly of steel and concrete, and was the
first baseball palace. It had a distinguishing architecture look
with ornament columns and concrete opera boxes. However by 1907 the
ballpark began to deteriorate and in 1911 it burned. The Reds played
at Palace of the Fans from April 17, 1902 until October 12, 1911.
A new ballpark was
constructed on the same site and was named
Redland Field. With a seating capacity of 22,000, the Reds played
their first game at Redland Field on May 18, 1912 against the
Chicago Cubs. The lower deck of
the ballpark extended from homeplate to both the right and left
field foul poles, while the upper deck grandstand extended from behind homeplate, to past both the first and third base dugouts. Bleachers
were located in right field and came to a point in right center
field. This area became known as the sun deck. Outside, the ballpark
had a red brick facade. One feature that made Redland Field unique was the terrace in
front of the left field fence. It was an incline that started 20
feet from the left field wall and gradually increased until it
reached the four feet grade at the wall. Original dimensions at
Redland Field were 360 ft. (right and left) and 420 ft. (center).
In 1919, Redland Field
under went many changes. For the World Series in 1919, the street
behind left field was blocked off and temporary stands were built.
Portable seats were added in front of the lower deck and then were
replaced permanently with box seats in 1926. The same year homeplate was moved
20 feet forward creating new dimensions that were 339 ft. (left),
395 ft. (center), and 383 ft. (right). The team and the ballpark
were purchased by Powel Crosley in 1934 and the ballpark was
renamed.
With the effects of the Great Depression in
Cincinnati, the Reds convinced baseball owners to allow night
baseball at Crosley Field. Without lights, the team would fold
because of low attendance as it had dropped by 300,000 fans between
1926 and 1934. Baseball owners decided to allow lights to be
installed at Crosley Field. It became the first professional
baseball stadium with lights when the Reds played their first game
under them on May 24, 1935. Night baseball increased attendance by
100 percent. In 1937, Cincinnati was flooded
including Crosley Field as homeplate was
covered with 21 feet of water in January 1937. After the flood, the
park had to be cleaned of all debris. A press box was built on
the roof of the second deck in 1938. Expecting to advance to the
World Series in 1938, the team decided to extend the second deck to
the left and right field foul poles during mid season. An extra area
of seating called the "goatrun" was built in front of the right
field fence in 1946.
Changes at Crosley Field continued throughout
its history. A 58 foot
tall scoreboard with a Logins Clock ontop replaced the original
scoreboard in right center field in 1957. Crosley Field's original
brick facade was painted white in 1961. By the 1960s Crosley Field
was no longer a viable option because of its age, it was locked in
by Interstate 75 and was in a blighted neighborhood by the 1960s.
Crime had rose in the neighborhood and driving became a problem
because of the lack of parking. A new ballpark was built in downtown
Cincinnati along the riverfront. The Reds played their last game at Crosley Field on June 24, 1970 against the San Francisco Giants. Homeplate was moved to the
Reds new home
Riverfront Stadium
in downtown Cincinnati. Other events including football, concerts
and circuses occurred at Crosley Field during its existence. No
seats were ever permanently in left or centerfield. Views of the
local neighborhood could be seen from behind homeplate. Broadcasters
used a laundry center with advertisements on top of the roof to
determine homerun distances until it was demolished in 1961 to make
room for parking. Crosley Field stood for two more years after the
Reds moved into Riverfront Stadium, serving as a auto impound lot
until it was demolished in 1972. However, Crosley Field was brought
back to life, once in Kentucky and now in Blue Ash, Ohio. A
baseball diamond was built, and 600 original seats, the scoreboard
and ticket both were used from Crosley Field.
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