Union Grounds
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Union Grounds is a former baseball ground located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York. The ground opened in 1862 and was the first baseball park enclosed entirely by a fence, thereby allowing the owners to charge admission to games. It was built on a large block bounded by Harrison Avenue, Rutledge Street, Lynch Street, and Marcy Avenue.
During its early years the ground hosted many teams, notably serving as the home field of the Brooklyn Eckfords of the National Association of Base Ball Players. In 1868, the New York Mutuals shifted their home field from Hoboken, New Jersey, where the other Manhattan clubs were based, to the Union Grounds.
Upon the formation of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, the ground was home to the New York Mutuals from 1871 to 1875 (and in 1876 as a member of the National League), the Brooklyn Eckfords of the National Association in 1872, the Brooklyn Atlantics of the National Association from 1873 to 1875. It also served as home field for the "Hartford of Brooklyn" team of the National League during the 1877 season.
The park did not sit idle during the winter. Its field was flooded and served as the rink for an ice skating club.
The Union Grounds were demolished in July of 1883.
Sources
- Green Cathedrals, by Philip J. Lowry, 1986.
- Ballparks of North America, by Michael Benson, 1989
- Long Before the Dodgers, by James L. Terry, 2002
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