Clipping:The Union Club's new Tremont ground
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| Date | Sunday, July 5, 1868 |
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| Text | The [new Union club’s] grounds are situated close by the Tremont way-station of the horse-car line, and not far from the occasional steam accommodations of the Harlem Road. They cover several acres well wooded in the higher part, with a fine expanse of open space for games to be contested on. This season, the loose and sandy nature of the soil will scarcely operate advantageously in the interest of brilliant play. Time must be given for grass to grow and thicken, and the turf to get elastic; but fall rains and constant care will effect all this before another year. A better place for the purpose could not have been selected. There is a high, sloping plain, plentifully shaded, on which a stand to accommodate several thousands of spectators will be erected–another excellent location for a ladies’ pavilion, and still another for the special convenience of scorers and the press. The club-house is a handsome frame structure, planted on the crest of the hill which rises from the road; and in this are all hotel-facilities for temporary guests, while round about it are to be established attractions for the better class of picnic parties. The hotel is dwelt in and conducted by Messrs. Pabor and Birdsall, the accomplished pitcher and catcher of the club, and admirable hosts they promise in every way to prove themselves. New York Sunday Mercury July 5, 1868 In fact, its surroundings of shady groves, and the picturesque locality of the ground, are its present attractions. We think the home base could be put back some twenty-five feet further to advantage, and the line from home to second changed in direction more to the left. At present, the centre-field is too close to the spectators for long hits from heavy batting, as experience will show, we think. The facility with which the ground is reached from the city is a great advantage. Not only is Tremont station, on the Harlem road, but twenty minutes ride from the Twenty-sixth street depot, but the horse-cars run to the very entrance of the Park from Harlem bridge, every five minutes; and from Harlem to the city by the Harlem boats is a delightful sail. The ground is surrounded by a very high and well-put-up fence, but the accommodations for spectators are the feature of the locality, these surpassing every other ground. Seats will be arranged for three thousand people under the shade of elm-trees, while a special stand with covered seats is to be located back of the first base for ladies. And, by the way, the reporters’ stand should be transferred to this side, for at present the glare of the sun from the ground is very distressing, the covered stand really affording very little protection. New York Sunday Mercury July 19, 1868 Union Park, the new enclosed ground of the Union Club, although not entirely completed, is yet in such a forward state as to admit of match playing. The ground is rough and uneven, particularly the catcher’s position, and it will take another season at least to render it equal to our best enclosed ball fields. The seating accommodations are far ahead of anything in this vicinity, however. At the foot of a small hill, covered by trees and almost entirely protected from the sun, comfortable seats for two ro three thousand spectators have been erected. To the south and back of the seats is located the club house, a neat and unpretending wooden structure. Directly in front of this building is a roomy platform, with the reserved seats for ladies and members of the club leading therefrom. Just outside of the enclosure, and yet within the grounds, is the restaurant and bar, under the charge of Messrs. Birdsall and Pabor,, the pitcher and catcher of the club. To the north and back of the home base the reporters’ desk is located, affording a fine view of the field and protected from the sun by an awning. Altogether the new Union Park, even in its unfinished state, is one of the most picturesque ball fields in the country. New York Clipper July 25, 1868 |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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