Clipping:Shortage of playing fields
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| Date | Sunday, March 4, 1860 |
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| Text | MORE PLAYGROUNDS WANTED.–We have often wondered why the owners of unproductive property up-town, lying contiguous to the railroads on the east and west side of the city, did not seize upon the idea of converting their lands into grounds for the use of base ball clubs, and thus, without in the slightest degree depreciating the value of their property, realize a rental sufficient to pay handsomely for the investment necessary to improve the ground, besides liquidating the heavy taxes which are now eating up the property. There is a great demand for suitable and convenient playgrounds. Many more ball clubs would be organized in this city if these conveniences were afforded them. With the exception of the Red House ground, at Harlem, and the grounds occupied by the Harlem and Baltic Clubs, there are no good fields for ball exercise at present accessible on this island, and twenty good places would be in active demand. Many of our clubs now have to practice at Hoboken; some are compelled to go to Brooklyn or Greenpoint to play; and the inconvenience of getting to and from these places renders the attendance of ball-players on practice days much more limited than it would be. A correspondent throws out some hints to railroad companies, upon this subject, which are worthy of attention: “NEW YORK, Feb. 29th, 1860 “To the Editors of the Sunday Mercury: “I am a constant reader of your excellent paper, and consequently, am aware that you will do anything in your power to advance our national game of base ball. I am a member of the Metropolitan Club, of this city, and although unknown to fame as a player, yet I take as lively an interest in the game as the best of them; and, this being the case, I am induced to write a few lines to you with regard to certain difficulties we have to encounter in New York, hoping to have an expression of your opinion on the subject. “I firmly believe, Messrs. Editors, that the superiority of the Long Island Clubs over those of New York is because they have better facilities for practicing on playing grounds contiguous to their homes and convenient of success. The contrary is the case with us who reside in New York. If we go to Hoboken to play, we have got to start early to get there (and that is impossible with a good many); and then it occupies an hour or two to get home, after getting pretty well tuckered out by playing. The same may be said of Harlem, Yorkville, and Hamilton Square, particularly for those individuals who reside on the North River side of town; consequently, men who would like to play, and who would make good players, keep away. The New York clubs are sadly in want of a good ground to play on contiguous to the Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth Avenue Railroads. Hamilton Square is a miserable ground to play on, and yet it is the only one near enough for the man who has to work or tend to business till 3 o’clock. “I have made some considerable inquiry of those who are pecuniarily interested in having the clubs play on Central Park (and they would be likely to know) what the prospects are for us getting the ground there; but the nearest I can come to it is, that we must take our chance among the rest. First come, first served, is good where ib belongs, but it won’t do for organized clubs. “Now, what are we to do? There are hundreds of men that would play ball if they could get into a car at [illegible] o’clock, reach the playground in half an hour, and, when through playing, get into a car and ride within a stone’s throw of home. “Why cannot the Common Council grant us Crystal Palace Square for a playground? It would do for three clubs, and, at present, it is good for nothing else. Wouldn’t it p ay the Sixth Avenue Railroad, as well as skating now does? There is the Beckman property, at Fifty-eighth, Fifth-ninth, Sixtieth and Sixty-first streets, between Second and Third avenues, with room enough for nine clubs. Don’t you think it would pay the Second and Third Avenue Railroads to rent it and make a playground of it? I think sop; but perhaps my judgment is at fault. “I would be much pleased to have your views on this matter. Give us good ground to play on, and I am vain enough to think that we will be soon ble to play as well as our neighbors on Long Island. “Begging your pardon for thus intruding upon your valuable time, I remain. Yours, respectfully, “J.C.W.” We hope this matter will arrest the attention of some men of enterprise, and stir up the railroad companies to action. Every base ball match of an interesting character–and there are many such–attracts hundreds of spectators, and in some cases thousands. Would it not be worth while for the Second, Third, Sixth and Eighth Avenue Railroads to pocket the fivepences which would fall to their lot during the season of out-door sports? |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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