Recreation Park

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Pittsburgh, PA

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates (NL 1884-90), Pittsburgh Alleghenies (AA 1884-86) Opening Day: May 1, 1884
Closing Day: September 30, 1890 AKA: Coliseum Bike Track, Union Park

Memorable Moments:

This park is located less than a mile from PNC Park. Its infield was hard-packed clay and had an outfield of dirt with small patches of grass. Catcher Fred Carroll's pet monkey was buried under home plate with all the pomp and circumstance. On April 23, 1890, only 17 people showed up to watch the game with a paid attendance of six. This is a record. This park was also used by Western University of Pennsylvania (now University of Pittsburgh). The first professional football player played here (see below).

© 2011-17 Paul Healey where applicable.