The short-lived Federal League (FL) produced a
number of similarly short-lived ballparks. Only two of the FL parks
survived the 1920s. One is actually one of the most storied ballparks in
baseball history and is still used today while the fire that destroyed the
other in 1944 lead
indirectly to Major League Baseball returning to Baltimore.
We simply do not have enough information to have separate pages for all
Federal League parks as we do with all 20th
century American and National League stadiums (though some were used
by AL or NL teams and thus do have separate pages). What follows is a
team-by-team listing of Federal League parks.
The Baltimore Terrapinsplayed their
games in Terrapin Park, later known as Oriole
Park. (As there had been at least four other parks with that name,
including the one that the 1901
American League Baltimore Orioles played in, it is usually referred to
as Oriole Park V (the Orioles played in Oriole Park IV).) Construction
started on the first of February, 1914. Check our
page for this park for more information.
The Brooklyn Tip Tops called Washington
Park (referred to as Washington Park III by historians) home. It
was previously the home of the Brooklyn
Superbas (later called the Dodgers) before Ebbets
Field was built. The Tip Tops owners made improvements to the stadium
prior to the 1914 season. Check our
page for this park for more information.
The Buffalo Blues built their own 20,000
seat park in early 1914 and called it simply Federal League Park (it
was later called International Fair Association Grounds). It was not
completed in time for the start of the season forcing the Blues to play
all their games on the road until finally opening at home on May 11, 1914
against the Terrapins. Dimensions were 290 to left, 400 to center, and 300
to right.
The Chicago Whalesowner Charles Weeghman
built a new park for his team. He nearly was unable to secure the land.
Cubs officials thought they had secured a small parcel of land for $20,000
within the area Weeghman planned to build, which would have caused him to
look elsewhere, but they found out later in the day that they had been
outhustled. Weeghman had offered $40,000 and the offer had been accepted.
Current Cubs fans should rejoice as that new Federal League park then
called Weeghman Park is now known as Wrigley
Field.
The Indianapolis Federalsbuilt West
Washington Street Park, which was also known Grass Lawn Park,
Hoosier Park, or simply Federal League Park. The park was
located near the current location of the RCA Dome (home of the
Indianapolis Colts). Left field was 375 feet from home plate while center
was 400 and right was 310.
Gordon & Koppel Field, usually referred to in contemporary
accounts simply as Federal League Park, which had a seating
capacity of 12,000,was the home of the Kansas
City Packers. It was damaged by flooding
in September of 1914, but the team was about to embark on the final
road trip of the season and repairs were made well in advance of the 1915
season.
The champion Indianapolis Federals moved to Newark for the 1915 season.
The Newark Peppers built Harrison
Field, though they were still putting the finishing touches on the
stadium when season started. A fire destroyed the stadium on August 23,
1924 and there is now a parking lot on the site.
The St. Louis Terriers played in Handlan's
Park, which was also one of three FL parks widely known as Federal
League Park. (This was not uncommon in an earlier era. Many of the
parks used by the Union Association were called Union Grounds.) It was
built by the team in early 1914 and seated 12,000. The optimistic
ownership increased that to 15,000 for the 1915 season. The dimensions
were 325 to left, 375 to center, and 300 to right with 90 feet from home
plate to the backstop.
Federal League
Like so many league
parks, even Weeghman Park was referred to as
"Federal League Park" as in this
contemporary postcard
Firsts in Each Park
Thanks to Retrosheet and Jim Herdman and David Vincent, we have lists
of firsts in these stadiums. Note that these "firsts" are for
Federal League games only.
Have any questions about the Federal League or its stadiums? Want to add to the league's story by sharing your recollections? Want to leave a comment about this article? Check out our Federal League forums!
--Patrick Mondout
WEEGHMAN PARK?
Chicago Whales' owner Charles Weeghman had this park built for his Federal League team, but he later owned the Cubs and Wrigley Field is a lasting monument to the short-lived league.
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