Professional Baseball Parks of the Past
Three Eclipse Parks and Parkway Field
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Eclipse Park was the name of three successive baseball parks in Louisville in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were the home of the Louisville baseball team first known as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels. All of the parks were destroyed by fire.
1st Eclipse Park - 1871-1892, 28th and Elliott
The first Eclipse Park was constructed in 1871 at 28th and Elliott. The Louisville Eclipse Baseball team played there from 1882 to 1884. The team was then renamed the Louisville Colonels. Fire destroyed the first Eclipse Park in 1892. The area is now Elliott park.
1st Eclipse Park - 1871-1892, 28th and Elliott
The first Eclipse Park was constructed in 1871 at 28th and Elliott. The Louisville Eclipse Baseball team played there from 1882 to 1884. The team was then renamed the Louisville Colonels. Fire destroyed the first Eclipse Park in 1892. The area is now Elliott park.
2nd Eclipse Park - 1893-1899, 28th and Broadway
After fire destroyed the first Eclipse Park in 1892, a new Eclipse Park was erected shortly thereafter at the southwest corner of 28th and Broadway. This second Eclipse Park is of particular historic importance because it became the home of the major league Louisville Colonels of the National League. The last major league game played by the Louisville Colonels was in 1899 after which fire razed the second Eclipse Park wooden grandstands. The National League then included 12 teams. When the National League went from 12 teams to 8 in 1899, Louisville was one of teams dropped. Team owner Barney Dreyfuss acquired the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fourteen players from the Louisville team went to the Pittsburgh team, including future Hall of Famers, Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke.
In 1901, the American Association was created as a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A classification. Louisville was granted a team within this league. The Colonels would play in the American Association for 61 years until the American Association disbanded in 1962.
After fire destroyed the first Eclipse Park in 1892, a new Eclipse Park was erected shortly thereafter at the southwest corner of 28th and Broadway. This second Eclipse Park is of particular historic importance because it became the home of the major league Louisville Colonels of the National League. The last major league game played by the Louisville Colonels was in 1899 after which fire razed the second Eclipse Park wooden grandstands. The National League then included 12 teams. When the National League went from 12 teams to 8 in 1899, Louisville was one of teams dropped. Team owner Barney Dreyfuss acquired the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fourteen players from the Louisville team went to the Pittsburgh team, including future Hall of Famers, Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke.
In 1901, the American Association was created as a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A classification. Louisville was granted a team within this league. The Colonels would play in the American Association for 61 years until the American Association disbanded in 1962.
3rd Eclipse Park - 1902-1922, 7th and Kentucky
The Third Eclipse Park was established at the northwest corner of 7th and Kentucky in 1902. The park seated 8,500 people. This ballpark was built as the home for the American Association minor league Louisville Colonels who played there from 1902 through 1922. Again, in November 1922, a fire destroyed Eclipse Park.
Baseball fans would exit the Fourth Street trolley and take Base Ball Alley from Fourth to Fifth on way to Eclipse Park. Base Ball Alley still exists as a reminder of the past.
The Third Eclipse Park was established at the northwest corner of 7th and Kentucky in 1902. The park seated 8,500 people. This ballpark was built as the home for the American Association minor league Louisville Colonels who played there from 1902 through 1922. Again, in November 1922, a fire destroyed Eclipse Park.
Baseball fans would exit the Fourth Street trolley and take Base Ball Alley from Fourth to Fifth on way to Eclipse Park. Base Ball Alley still exists as a reminder of the past.
Parkway Field - 1923-1961. Brook and Eastern Parkway
Parkway Field was built following the fire that destroyed Eclipse Park. Parkway Field was located at Eastern Parkway and Brook Street and was built with a steel grandstand. William Knebelkamp was the principle owner. The Park was constructed in 63 days and the first game was May 1, 1923. The grandstand seated 13,500. Lights were installed in 1932. In 1938 the Knebelkamp family sold the stadium and franchise to the Boston Red Sox which continued to support the Colonels. In 1953 The University of Louisville purchased the Red Sox interest in the stadium. In 1956 the Colonels affiliation with the Red Sox's ended and the Colonels moved to the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. Parkway Field became the home of the U of L baseball team. In 1961 the grandstand was demolished. In 1998 the U of L team moved to Cardinal Stadium at the Fairgrounds.
Parkway Field was built following the fire that destroyed Eclipse Park. Parkway Field was located at Eastern Parkway and Brook Street and was built with a steel grandstand. William Knebelkamp was the principle owner. The Park was constructed in 63 days and the first game was May 1, 1923. The grandstand seated 13,500. Lights were installed in 1932. In 1938 the Knebelkamp family sold the stadium and franchise to the Boston Red Sox which continued to support the Colonels. In 1953 The University of Louisville purchased the Red Sox interest in the stadium. In 1956 the Colonels affiliation with the Red Sox's ended and the Colonels moved to the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. Parkway Field became the home of the U of L baseball team. In 1961 the grandstand was demolished. In 1998 the U of L team moved to Cardinal Stadium at the Fairgrounds.