Union Grounds

Union Grounds was a baseball park located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York. The grounds opened in 1862 and was the first baseball park enclosed entirely by a fence, thereby allowing proprietor William Cammeyer or his tenant to charge admission, permitting only paying customers to watch the games. It was built on a large block bounded by Harrison Avenue, Rutledge Street, Lynch Street, and Marcy Avenue.

During its early years Union Grounds was the home field for several ballclubs, notably including the Brooklyn Eckfords, 1862 and 1863 champions of the National Association of Base Ball Players. In 1868, the New York Mutuals moved in from Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey, long-time home of Manhattan clubs but never enclosed.

After formation of the first professional league, the National Association of "Professional" Base Ball Players, Union Grounds was home to the New York Mutuals from 1871 to 1876 (the only year as a member of the new National League), the Brooklyn Eckfords of the National Association in 1872, and the Brooklyn Atlantics of the National Association from 1873 to 1875. It also served as home field for the "Hartford of Brooklyn" team during the 1877 National League season before shutting down.

The park did not sit idle during the winter. Its field was flooded and served as the rink for an ice skating club.

Union Grounds was demolished in July of 1883.

Sources

*"Green Cathedrals", by Philip J. Lowry, 1986.
*"Ballparks of North America", by Michael Benson, 1989
*"Long Before the Dodgers", by James L. Terry, 2002