Largest Assemblage Ever Gathered in Any Ball Park Anywhere Enjoys
Ideal Weather Conditions.
Impressive Ceremonies.
Concerts by Two Bands and Brief Ceremonies Precede Game Between Pittsburg
Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
From The Pittsburg Press, 30 June 1909.
Forbes Field, the new home of the Pittsburg
Baseball Club on Bellefield, and the largest and finest amusement stadium
in the world, was dedicated this afternoon with appropriate and
impressive ceremonies.
Father Pitt took a day off for the occasion, and the ceremonies were
witnessed by the largest throng that ever attended an event of this kind
in this or any other city in the country.
It was difficult to estimate the attendance, for Forbes Field is so
immense--so far beyond anything else in America in the way of a baseball
park--that old experts, accustomed to judging crowds at a glance, were at
a loss for reasonable figures.
However, it seemed certain that the official attendance would show the
figures to be near 35,000.
The spacious grandstand has a seating capacity of about 20,000, and every
seat was occupied long before the dedicatory ceremonies were started
at 2:30 o'clock. The big concrete bleacher back of third base along
the left field foul line, with a seating
capacity of close to 6,000, was also packed at an early hour, and the
bleachers in center field--temporary seats in the only wooden structure
in the big park--also were filled.
Extra seats were being put on the field at 2 p.m.
The gates were thrown open promptly at noon. Long before that hour
hundreds of eager fans, who had not been able to purchase reserved seats,
owing to the fact that the supply was exhausted long before the demand
was set, gathered outside the gates, waiting for a chance to enter. Long
lines formed down the streets, and from appearances some of the faithful
had been there since early morning. Enthusiasm was at a high pitch,
and everybody was in a good humor.
Eight Ticket Booths Used
When the gates were opened, the ticket sellers and takers were kept busy
right up to the moment the game started between the Pirates and the Cubs
at 3:30, and even after that time hundreds of late arrivals crowded
inside the park.
Eight ticket booths at the main entrance to Forbes Field were in operation
this afternoon, and every one of the ticket sellers did a land office
business. Just inside the main entrance are the 10 turnstiles leading to
the grandstand. Eight were used this afternoon for holders of reserved and
box seat tickets and grandstand admission tickets. The two press gates
were used by the invited guests, holders of season coupon books, and by
season boxholders. The turnstiles clicked merrily and rapidly as the
fans wended their way through, and up into the stands.
After going through the stiles, the fans came upon a broad promenade
in the rear of the seats. In the center of this were located the club
offices, and in the rear are the elevators, which were used for the first
time today to carry the people to the upper tier of the stand and the
boxes.
Forbes Field was in gala array this afternoon. The decorators, a whole
army of them, worked last night until midnight before they completed
their task, but their efforts were well worth while, for the appearance
of the park and stands was the subject of much favorable comment today.
Over the grandstand rise almost two-score of flagpoles, from each of
which floated either the stars and stripes or a banner of the Pittsburg
Baseball Club.
Cheers at Band Concerts
Promptly at 1:30 o'clock two bands appeared upon the field in full dress
uniform, and started the concerts, which were to entertain the fans until
the start of the real ceremonies, an hour later. The bands played popular
and patriotic airs, and the fans cheered themselves hoarse in the
exuberance of their enthusiasm.
Everybody was happy. The weather man had provided an ideal afternoon
for the occasion. Old Sol was out in all his glory, beaming down on
President Dreyfuss and his host of guests and friends. Old Sol has seen
some wonderful and novel sights before; but he evidently smiled benignly
today, for he was looking down upon the greatest throng that ever
assembled at a ball game, and on the largest and finest amusement palace
in the world.
At 2:30 o'clock the dedication took place. One band started from its
position at the right wing of the grandstand and the other from the left
wing, both under the leadership of Daniel Nirella. When the bands reached
the players' benches, the members of the Pittsburg and Chicago teams fell
into line, marching to the home plate. There the bands combined, and
turned out across the diamond toward center field. The two teams separating,
Manager Fred Clarke leading his Pirate
top-notchers to the west, and Manager Frank Chance leading his Chicago
world's champions to the east. When the bands reached second base they
halted, and the Pittsburg and Chicago players faced each other, with
caps removed, forming lines through which marched the heroes of days gone
by on the diamond.
Acting as escort to the guests of honor were President Harry C. Pulliam,
of the National League; Secretary-Treasurer John Arnold Heydler;
August Herrmann, of Cincinnati, chairman of the National Commission;
President Charles W. Murphy, of the Chicago club and President Barney
Dreyfuss, of the Pittsburg club, the man who conceived Forbes Field,
and provided for Pittsburg the best amusement stadium in the world.
"Old Timers" Were There
Albert G. Pratt was in command of the old-time players and with him were
many representative citizens who did their share in other days to play the
splendid foundation upon which the national game has been builded. The
following were among those who were present this afternoon:
Frank G. Paulson, George B. Logan, Congressman John K. Tener, Dr. Mark E.
Baldwin, Edward Hanlon, president of the Baltimore club of the Eastern
league; J. H. Stewart, A. S. Cameron, A. J. Bryan, James W. Gray, Samuel
Nicholl, Frank Curry, W. S. Gumbert, Edward Morris, Grant Briggs, M. A.
Critchie, John R. Brown, William Clark, County Commissioner Stephen J.
Toole, Marr Phillips, P. R. McShannic, John Earle, John Menefee, L. M.
Moore, Dr. C. C. Reinhart, Frank Reinhart and Sheriff Addison C.
Gumbert.
After these men had passed second base the Chicago players fell
in line behind them, and then came the members of the Pittsburg team.
They marched to the flagpole in center field, where a large United States
flag and a big pennant, bearing the legend, "Forbes Field," were raised
amid tremendous cheering by the assembled multitude.
After the flag-raising the bands marched along left field to the
concrete bleachers, and then turned toward the grandstand. The Chicago
players dropped out at the diamond to begin batting practice, and then
guests dropped out at the center boxes, which were reserved for them.
The Pirates continued on to their own bench. The bands marched to the end
of the right wing of the grandstand, where they continued to play until
the game began.
At 2:55 o'clock the leader of the band gave a signal on the cornet for
the Pittsburg team to begin batting practice. Twenty minutes later
a similar signal called the Cubs to fielding practice. Eight minutes more
and the cornet called the Pirates to fielding practice, and at 3:30 p. m.,
the signal was given for the start of the first game at Forbes Field.
Mayor Throws First Ball
Mayor William A. Magee was seated in box No. 137, near the center of
the big stand and on the second tier. A brand new National league baseball
was handed to the city's chief executive, and he with true aim, hurled
the bright sphere to John M. Morin, director of the department of
public safety, who was on the field below.
He made a fair catch, then walked to the pitcher's position in the center
of the diamond, and hurled the ball across the plate to George Gibson, the
Pirates' star receiver, who had taken his position.
Umpires Robert Emsile and Henry O'Day, the veterans of the National staff,
and two of the best arbitrators in the business, took their places, one
behind the bat and the other near first base.
The cry, "Play ball!" was heard.
Johnny Evers stepped to the plate.
The game was on.
The scene for the next two or three minutes was simply indescribable.
The thousands of fans "let loose" with one accord, and cheer after cheer
made the welkin ring.
It was interesting to note some of the expressions heard by the people as
they gazed about them after entering Forbes Field. Many of them had never
seen the park before, and to say that they were amazed at its size,
completeness and beauty does not half express it. President Barney Dreyfuss,
when he first planned the plant, called to his side [experts] in work of
this kind, and told them just what he wanted. He asked them to outdo
themselves to make everything exactly correct and proper. His wishes were
carried out, and today for the first time the people of Pittsburg witnessed
his triumph.
There was no happier man in the world today than the well-known and
popular president of the Pittsburg baseball club. President Dreyfuss is
not usually talkative, but he could not restrain an expression of the
feelings which showed in his countenance.
Barney Dreyfuss Was Happy
"This is indeed the happiest day of my life," said he, as he shook hands
with hundreds of friends who crowded about him to congratulate him, as he
stood in the promenade in the rear of the grandstand. "I used to dream
of such things as I see here today, but it was not until a comparatively
[short] time ago that I ever thought to see them as realities. I thank the
people of Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania from the bottom of my heart
for the appreciation shown here [this] afternoon."
Manager Fred Clarke said:
"Pittsburg can now boast of the world's finest baseball park. It is a marvel of which people in other cities can have no adequate conception until they come here and see it. But it is none too good for Pittsburg, as is evidenced by the turnout here today. Father Pitt needs only one thing more. Instead of that flag inscribed "Forbes Field," up there, he should have a banner inscribed, 'Pittsburgh, Champions of the National League and of the World.' Sounds like a dream, oh? So did Forbes Field, when Barney first told of it. But it may come true."While the fans were vitally interested in the dedication of the new park, it must be confessed that it was the game that took them primarily to Forbes Field. Today's contest was the second of the series between the Pirates and the Cubs. The fans were looking forward to a great battle and a Pirate victory. It is quite a coincidence that the first game played at old Exposition Park, which was used for the last time yesterday, was also between Pittsburg and Chicago teams, and that the last game played at that historic park also found Smoky City and Windy City forces as the opponents.
Expected to Use Willis
For today's game Manager Clarke stated early that he expected to use
Victor Willis on the slab. Vic has been very successful this season.
He has really won 12 straight games, a season's record in the [major]
leagues, but one of his victories was that over Cincinnati on April 23,
and the game was protested and thrown out. It will have to be played over,
so that in the records Vic is only credited with 11 straight wins.
However, the fans expected to see him make it 12 this afternoon.
Manager Chance said he would send Ed Reulbach to the firing line.
Reulbach, the Green Mountain lad, is Chicago's most consistent winner of
late. His last performance was holding Cincinnati to one hit last Saturday.
He always makes trouble for his opponents, and the Cubs were confident
that he would take the Pirates' measure.
There will be no game at Forbes Field tomorrow, all games in the
National League having been called off on account of the funeral of
Israel W. Durham, president of the Philadelphia club. The series will
be resumed on Friday, when the same teams will play, and it is likely that
Miner Brown, who got his bumps yesterday, will
be sent in again by the Cub leader. Howard Camnitz will in all probability
be his opponent. The series ends on Saturday, and on Sunday the Pirates
play at Cincinnati, returning home that night for two games on
Independence Day, July 5, with the Reds.
The weather man is in his best humor, and Old Sol is beaming down
complacently on the scene. It is an ideal afternoon for Father Pitts'
biggest baseball day.
Great throngs of visitors flocked to Pittsburg during the morning.
All the railroads having stations in Greater Pittsburg offered special
rates for the occasion, and several ran special trains to the city. Three
hundred people from Sharon arrived on a special shortly before noon.
Several hundred came from New Castle early this afternoon.
Several delegations arrived early from points along the main line of
the Pennsylvania railroad, West Penn, Pittsburg & Lake Erie, Pittsburg,
Ft. Wayne & Chicago and other roads.
Prominent Visitors Here
Many distinguished visitors are in the city for the big event.
President Pulliam and Secretary Heydler of the National League,
arrived this morning from New York, President Kilfoyl, of the Cleveland
club, got in just before noon today, Chairman August Herrmann, of the
national commission, came from Cincinnati this morning, accompanied
by a party of friends. Another party from Cincinnati got in last night,
including Benson Foraker, Kesley Schooepf, William Stewart, W. F. Wiley,
Joseph Wilby, Harry M. Levy, Frank Ballman, H. C. Ebert and J. P. King,
of Lima. Colonel Alexander Labold was in President Herrmann's party.
Charles A. Leavitt, Jr. of New York, the noted engineer, who designed
the splendid stadium, arrived yesterday morning with his assistants and
spent the day at Forbes Field. He declares that Forbes Field is the
triumph of his engineering career.
Transcribed by sla.
