McFarland Historic Ballparks – serie

This volume presents a detailed look at Forbes Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates for 62 seasons. Part I consists of chapters on the construction and legacy of Forbes, the park's place in the Progressive Era, important baseball, football, and boxing events that took place at the park, and changes to the field's dimensions and configurations, as well as a transcript of the last Pirate game played there. In Part II, 56 former Pirates, two wives of former Pirates, 111 fans, and five members of the media reminisce about the park. The appendices include a numerical review of Lady Forbes from 0 (the number of no-hitters pitched there) to 1,705,828 (the Pirate attendance for the 1960 season) and a list of the park's ground rules.

The Ebbets Field volume is the second in McFarland's series on historic ballparks. The book combines articles about the park and the memories of those who went there in any capacity. Essay topics include long time Dodger owner Charles Ebbets, Brooklyn at the opening and closing of the park, the first and last Dodger games at Ebbets Field, black baseball at Ebbets Field, non-baseball events at Ebbets Field and statistical analyses of the park. The memories section includes the reminiscences of Dodger and visiting players as well as fans of all types and ages.

Built in 1912, Detroit's Tiger Stadium provided unmatched access for generations of baseball fans. Based on a classic grandstand design, its development through the 20th century reflected the booming industrial city around it. Emphasizing utility over adornment and offering more fans affordable seats near the field than any other venue in sports, it was in every sense a working-class ballpark that made the game the central focus.Drawing on the perspectives of historians, architects, fans and players, the authors describe how Tiger Stadium grew and adapted and then, despite the efforts of fans, was abandoned and destroyed. It is a story of corporate welfare, politics and indifference to history pitted against an enduring love of place. Chronological diagrams illustrate the evolution of the playing field.

These new essays and memories cover the history and evolution of the former home of the Chicago White Sox, as well as its importance to its surrounding neighborhoods, and to the city of Chicago. The essays cover Charles Comiskey and the location of the ballpark; the neighborhoods that surround the site; the dimensions and configurations of Old Comiskey Park; a summary of All-Star, World Series, and playoff games played there; Negro League baseball at Comiskey Park; Bill Veeck; the ballpark as host to events and sports other than White Sox baseball; and an analysis of the evolution of the famous "exploding scoreboard," the original model for today's modern sports stadium boards. Former players, White Sox personnel and fans contributed memories, including substantial pieces by Roland Hemond and Nancy Faust.

Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium was home to baseball's College World Series from 1950 until 2010. Future Major League stars played pro ball there in all but seven seasons during the same period. The venue also hosted barnstorming games, football games, concerts and a variety of novelty events in its lifetime. The history of the stadium is told by people who lived it. Essays and recollections by players and coaches who competed there, organizers of the Series and other events, and fans who enjoyed more than six decades of entertainment establish Rosenblatt's place in the American cultural landscape.