Hello Ballparks experts -

I'm forwarding this note that was posted to the Deadball Era yahoogroup.
If you can help, please be sure to copy Rex in your reply.

Is Neil Park Park the first with a concrete-and-steel grandstand?
If not, what was?

Rod Nelson
Research Services Manager
www.sabr.org

-----Original Message-----
From: deadball@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of REX Hamann
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 12:01 PM
To: deadball@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [deadball] EARLY BALLPARK CONSTRUCTION

First, in my research on Neil Park in Columbus, Ohio I'm finding numerous
references to the installation of "opera chairs". My original thought was
that these were merely folding chairs. However, folding chairs are not
"installed" in the sense that they are affixed to base. Exactly what are
opera chairs in context with turn-of-the-century ballparks?

Second, during the installation, wouldn't it have been required to drill
into the concrete (Neil Park was perhaps the earliest example of a
concrete-and-steel construction grandstand) in order to set the bolts which

held down the chairs? The main question being, just how did they drill into
concrete in the days before electrical and pneumatic tools?

Staying in the "circa 1900" vein, would the home plates in use at the time
have been made of rubber?

Please reply to the group.

Rex Hamann [pureout@...]
14201 Crosstown Blvd. NW
Andover, Minnesota 55304

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