League Park II (Cincinnati, OH)

From SABR Encyclopedia

League Park (formerly American Park) was the home park of the Cincinnati Reds (National) from 1894 to 1901. The location of the diamond and consequently the main grandstand seating area was shifted several times during the park's existence. Some of the moves resulted in different names being assigned to the ballpark, which is why historians refer to the 1894-1901 era of the stadium as League Park II. The actual name of the ballpark was not changed.

In 1894 the ballpark went through major changes. Reds owner John Brush built a brand new grandstand and added an amphitheater. In order to build a new grandstand, he had the diamond shifted from the southeast corner (Findlay and Western) to the southwest corner (Findlay and McLean). Brush chose to retain the old seating as a right field pavilion.

On May 28, 1900, the ballpark caught fire, burning the 1894 grandstand. The Reds considered moving to East End Park, but opted to shift the diamond back to its original location in the southeast corner and reuse the original grandstand, which was not significantly harmed in the fire due to a gap between the two seating areas. As the park was reconfigured, the Reds played a month's worth of games on the road, returning to League Park on June 28.

[edit] Sources

• Green Cathedrals, by Phil Lowry, 1992
• Ballparks of North America, by Michael Benson, 1989