Abandoned Baseball Stadiums

**hbwriter** · 11-21-2009, 04:50 PM

I believe there were two fires there as well before it was razed--

DiggerODell · 11-21-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by hbwriter

I have more - but these are handy...

In this, since Fred is alone, he just propped the camera in the dugout

And in this one, you can see that the Dreyfuss memorial has been left out in right center! (it would soon be moved to three rivers)

What fabulous photos hb . . . makes me heart go pitter. And I've never even been to Pittsburgh . . . you see alot and I love seeing what you see. Even if it is bad news.

**SteveJRogers** · 11-21-2009, 05:52 PM

What was Fred doing out there?

**Yankee Paul** · 11-21-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by SteveJRogers

What was Fred doing out there?

Waiting for Garth Gimble???

**hbwriter** · 11-21-2009, 09:56 PM

hey, it's *Barth* Gimble

As far as what Fred was doing out there, as I learned right after meeting him, he is a ballpark wanderer--loves the history, the ghosts--the whole deal--it's how we connected because I'm the same way--so whenever there is an opportunity today to go find some sacred ground, it becomes a project.

and the details in these shots are amazing--the flagpole in center--the intact scoreboard--the cinderblock dugout

in a book i'm finishing now, there is a short tale of what happened when fred and i visited the old wrigley site in la

**rx2003** · 11-21-2009, 09:59 PM

now you can add Ft Lauderdale stadium to this list....at least until they tear it down...Orioles moved to Sarasota....anyone got pics?

**hbwriter** · 11-21-2009, 10:16 PM

"In 1913 in an exhibition at Oxnard, California, he (Hans Lobert) raced a horse around the bases and lost by a nose. He led the horse by five feet at first base, ten feet at second, but then the animal began crowding him, and the horse overtook Lobert between third and home plate." - The Fans Speak Out (Baseball Digest, October 1978)

Do you know that famous story? This is where it happened...

**Paul W** · 11-22-2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Lucas718

The Pirates moved to Three Rivers Stadium in '71, so that means all those bushes and weeds sprouted up on the field and became that thick in less than a year. Pretty amazing.

1st game...july 16 1970

**RichardLillard1** · 11-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Great shots, Mr. Epting! Please do post more!

On a quick side note, thank you for your gracious coverage of the effort to Save Gate 2. Mark and John both said that you were a great host.

Would it be at all impolite to ask if you've told Mr. Willard about our efforts and what he's said about it?

Thanks!

Richard

**hbwriter** · 11-22-2009, 04:37 PM

Richard--my pleasure--the cause is an important one, I think.

I'll get word to Fred about it (tough these days!) but I'm sure he'd agree it's a good idea--how could any true fan not be in favor of the movement?

I'll dig up some more photos

**ChineseDemocracy** · 11-22-2009, 04:59 PM

Fred looks just about the same as he did when these pictures were taken.

**Curly SB** · 11-23-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by ChineseDemocracy

Fred looks just about the same as he did when these pictures were taken.

Black socks with white shorts is a great look.

**JohnCropp** · 11-23-2009, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by aqib

Isnt that where the Indians were supposed to go before Hurricane Andrew?

Yes it was.

**Digitalballparks** · 11-27-2009, 05:14 PM

Three more will be added to the pile this coming year. They will be featured in December and January on http://www.digitalballparks.com. Two of them are perhaps two of the most classic ballparks still standing in Minor League history... Former Triple-A and Northwestern League ballpark Civic Stadium in Eugene and Former Triple-A ballpark PGE Park in Portland Oregon. Both have been around since well before WWII and both will be abandoned. Tulsa's Drillers Stadium was also left behind for a new ballpark this year, though I don't know if i'll miss the old aluminum facility all that much. Also, Columbus Clippers' old ballpark from 1932 is also no longer being utilized, and is still standing (though we did give the new Huntington Park, 2009 Ballpark of the Year. It is everything that an HOK ballpark couldn't be). There are so many ballparks still standing from yesteryear that it would take me all day to list them all here. We have most on the site right now, but if you want I could make a list. You'ld be amazed how many ballparks there are still out there from the 1920's and 1930's... completely abandoned and still there for all to see...

**Digitalballparks** · 11-27-2009, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Commandant

Also here is the link to my favorite site digitalballparks and old abandoned Compadre Stadium in Chandler, AZ former Spring home of the Brewers:

http://www.digitalballparks.com/Arizona/Compadre.html

Thanks Commandant! Always nice to be appreciated...

**J.R.** · 11-27-2009, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by hbwriter

I have more - but these are handy...

Looks like they were prepping this section of OF wall for removal:

**hbwriter** · 11-27-2009, 10:04 PM

JR-great catch!

**ChineseDemocracy** · 11-27-2009, 10:16 PM

Are there any good pictures of the Dreyfuss monument?

**thefeckcampaign** · 11-29-2009, 06:57 PM

My wife just picked me up The American Game - A Celebration of Minor League Baseball in the discount rack at Border's for $4.99. It has a ton of great pics of various Minor League ACTIVE stadiums. Definitely worth the price.

**DClutch** · 11-29-2009, 07:19 PM

Those pics of the the Expos stadium on page 1 are scary! I cant imagine being in a place like that with the lights off, scary yet exciting at the same time. Plus the fact that it isnt used anymore makes it a little more eerie. Would love to wander through that place today.

**JohnCropp** · 11-29-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Digitalballparks

Three more will be added to the pile this coming year. They will be featured in December and January on http://www.digitalballparks.com. Two of them are perhaps two of the most classic ballparks still standing in Minor League history... Former Triple-A and Northwestern League ballpark Civic Stadium in Eugene and Former Triple-A ballpark PGE Park in Portland Oregon. Both have been around since well before WWII and both will be abandoned. Tulsa's Drillers Stadium was also left behind for a new ballpark this year, though I don't know if i'll miss the old aluminum facility all that much.

PGE Park isn't being abandoned, it's being renovated.

It will be the soccer-only home to the MLS Portland Timbers beginning in 2011.

**jnakamura** · 12-10-2009, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by JohnCropp

PGE Park isn't being abandoned, it's being renovated.

It will be the soccer-only home to the MLS Portland Timbers beginning in 2011.

Although it's somewhat sad to think that baseball will never again be played in PGE Park, I'm glad the Beavers will have a new ballpark. PGE's huge roof is so overwhelming that it feels very closed in. I'm looking forward to a more "open" ballpark.