Ballparks of the Deadball Era

While most serious fans know that the Deadball Era was characterized by low scoring, aggressive baserunning, and strong pitching, few understand the extent to which ballparks determined the style of play. As it turns out, the general absence of standardization and the ever-changing dimensions, configurations, and ground rules had a profound effect on the game, as offensive production would rise and fall, sometimes dramatically, from year to year. Especially in the early years of the American League, home teams enjoyed an unprecedented advantage over visiting clubs. The 1901 Orioles are a case in point, as the club batted an astounding .325 at Oriole Park IV—some 60 points above their road average and 54 points better than visitors to the park.
Organized by major league city, this comprehensive study of Deadball parks and park effects provides fact-filled, data-heavy commentary on all 34 ballparks used by the American and National Leagues from 1901 through 1919. Illustrations and historical photos are included, along with a foreword by Philip J. Lowry and a final chapter that offers an assessment of the overall impact of parks on the era.

Ronald M. Selter has written numerous journal articles. A retired economist who worked with the United States Air Force’s space program, Selter lives in El Segundo, California.

Ronald M. Selter
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 198
Bibliographic Info: 27 photos, diagrams, tables, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012 [2008]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6625-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5264-4
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword by Philip J. Lowry      v
Preface      1
Introduction: Baseball in the Deadball Era      5
Abbreviations      11

1. BALTIMORE      13
Oriole Park IV      13
2. BOSTON      17
South End Grounds III      17
Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds      22
Fenway Park      28
Braves Field      33
3. BROOKLYN      37
Washington Park III      38
Ebbets Field      42
4. CHICAGO      47
West Side Grounds      48
South Side Park III      53
Comiskey Park I      59
Weeghman Park /Cubs Park      63
5. CINCINNATI      71
League Park II      72
Palace of the Fans      74
Redland Field      78
6. CLEVELAND      81
League Park III      82
League Park IV      86
7. DETROIT      90
Bennett Park      90
Burns Park      97
Navin Field      100
8. MILWAUKEE      103
Lloyd Street Grounds      103
9. NEW YORK      107
Polo Grounds IV      108
Hilltop Park      113
Polo Grounds V      121
10. PHILADELPHIA      125
Baker Bowl      126
Columbia Park II      132
Shibe Park      135
11. PITTSBURGH      140
Exposition Park III      141
Forbes Field      145
12. ST. LOUIS      151
Robison Field      152
Sportsman’s Park III      157
Sportsman’s Park IV      161
13. WASHINGTON      167
American League Park I      167
American League Park II      171
Griffith Stadium      174
14. SUMMARY
The Impact of Ballparks on Batting in the Deadball Era      180

Chapter Notes      183
Bibliography      187
Index      189

Winner, Larry Ritter Book Award—SABR. Winner, Sporting News–SABR Baseball Research Award
“meticulously researched…will remain the definitive work in this area for a long time to come”—SABR Bibliography Committee Newsletter; “a statistical study unlike any other…recommends”—ARBA.