I had not even heard of this ground until folks on the
19th century list pointed me to Long Before the
Dodgers, by James Terry. This book described the
Satellite Ground as being where most early games
between black teams were played in Brooklyn. It also
suggests that the Eckford Club's Manor House Ground
probably became the Satellite Ground at some point,
but provides only the vague address "north of Meeker
Ave."

The Eckford's Manor House Ground seem to me to have
also been the grounds of the Satellite *Cricket* Club.
Tracing the location:

Spirit of the Times, March 31, 1860:

"The annual meeting of the members of the Satellite
Cricket Club, of Williamsburgh, took place Monday
evening [...] The club is arranging its grounds near
the Manor House, Bushwick, L.I."

That could be anywhere. I have no idea where this
Manor House was, nor can I find it. Anyone?

NY Times, July 9, 1859:

"Atlantic vs Eckford: The first of three matches
between these clubs came off yesterday afternoon upon
the Eckford Grounds, Manor House, Greenpoint."

Ok, Greenpoint isn't exactly next to Bushwick. On the
other hand, it borders Williamsburg(h). I suspect the
Spirit of the Times reporter mixed up his localities.
Maybe. Those two seem to be the same thing, to me.

Then there's this, from the NY Times of June 15, 1868:

"Great Chance For Cheap Homes. [...] Situated in the
Nineteenth Ward of Brooklyn, on Broadway, Harrison-av,
Penn, Rutledge, Hayward, Lynch, Middleton, and
Gwinette sts. [...] Sale to take place at the
Satellite Base Ball Ground, corner of Broadway and
Rutledge-st, which is on the property."

I think that's definitely nailed the Satellite Base
Ball Ground. Real estate ads tend to be 100% certain
with addresses, with good reason. That's very near the
Union Grounds, which makes sense for Eckford. Like
Atlantic, they probably didn't want to move far when
going to an enclosed ground. And it is in
Williamsburg(h), but very much not north of Meeker. It
could conceivably be said to be in Greenpoint. At
least sort of near it. And Bushwick? Well, at a
stretch. A decent walk. Maybe the distinctions weren't
too clear then.

My gut says all three grounds are one, and not north
of Meeker Ave. Does anyone know where that address
came from? I cannot see it anywhere but the map at the
end of Terry's book.

- David Dyte

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