February 8th, 1880 - Here's this year's guide to the ballparks of the National League.
South End Grounds I (Boston Red Caps)
South End Grounds has been the home of the Red Caps (formerly Red Stockings) since the National Association was formed in 1871. It is located on Walpole Street in Boston.
Riverside Park (Buffalo Bisons)
Riverside Park features a scoreboard that is updated throughout each game to show live scores of all other games in progress. This innovative feature allows fans to stay apprised of other games in action as they are happening.
Lake Front Park I (Chicago White Stockings)
Lake Front Park has been the home of the Chicago White Stockings since 1878. The outfield area is especially close in right field. The right field fence is less than 200 feet away, so anyone hitting the ball over that fence is awarded only a ground rule double.
Bank Street Grounds (Cincinnati Stars)
Home of the newly formed Cincinnati Stars, Bank Street Grounds plans to offer beer on tap, despite league regulations. Located just south of the G.K. Mills distillery, it seems likely that is where at least a portion of the beer will originate from.
Kennard Street Park (Cleveland Blues)
Kennard Street Park features trees in the outfield, and a left field fence that is so short that any ball hit over the fence is a ground rule double.
Messer Street Grounds (Providence Grays)
The large grandstand hold 1,200 people, among them hundreds of ladies. The long semi-circular tiers of seats are black with men and boys, and hundreds must stand, if unable to get seats. The commodious space for carriages can be completely filled on a good day. Two registering turnstiles gates admit the patrons to the grounds, and as each ticket holder passes through the gate he steps on a raised platform, and by a mechanical arrangement is registered, and only one person can pass through the gate at a time. Near the gate are two ticket offices, and a large entrance through which the crowd can pass at the end of the game. At the southeast corner there is a large gate to admit carriages to the park. The ground, which contains nearly six acres of land, is enclosed by a fence twelve feet high. The diamond is as level as constant rolling by heavy stone and iron rollers can make it. Inside of the base lines is turfed, except a space nine feet in width, reaching from the pitcher's position to the home plate. Twenty-two feet are sodded outside of the diamond. Paths leading to and from the bases have been rolled hard, and the out-field is sown with grass seed. The grand stand which seats nearly 1200 people, is 151 x 40 feet, and in the rear is raised 34 feet. The stand is reached by steps at both ends. It is covered by canvass, requiring nearly 7,000 feet. Seats are arranged in a circle at the eastern and western sides of the field. A platform 60 x 8 feet has been erected for the reporters, scorers and invited guests, seating nearly 60 persons. Under the grand stand for the visiting and local clubs are rooms 20 feet square and fitted up with wardrobes, dressing rooms 20 feet square, a wash room supplied with Pawtucket water, closet, etc. The Western Union Telegraph Company have a room 8 x 10 feet. There is a stockholders' room 20 feet square, and a refreshment saloon 40 x 20 to be managed by caterer Ardoene. A fence with gateways has been erected in front of the club rooms, thereby preventing the crowd from having any talk with the players. The grounds are without doubt as fine as any in the country, and Harry Wright said of them, 'They are beautiful." *(from Wikipedia)
Haymakers Grounds (Troy Trojans)
Formerly the home of the Troy Haymakers, the Trojans move this year to Haymakers Grounds. Other than the image above, this reporter regrets to say that he has no further info on Haymakers Grounds.
Worcester Driving Park Grounds (Worcester Ruby Legs)
The Worcester Driving Park Grounds, also known as the Worcester Agricultural Fairgrounds, is located south of Highland Street between Sever Street and Russell Street in Worcester (Massachusetts). Not much else is known about the park, though it did host a game for the Boston Red Stockings in 1874.