Ballparks of the Deadball Era : A Comprehensive Study of Their Dimensions, Configurations and Effects on Batting, 1901-1919

While most serious fans know that the Deadball Era was characterized by low scoring, aggressive baserunning, and strong pitching, few understand the extent to which ballparks determined the style of play. As it turns out, the general absence of standardization and the ever-changing dimensions, configurations, and ground rules had a profound effect on the game, as offensive production would rise and fall, sometimes dramatically, from year to year. Especially in the early years of the American League, home teams enjoyed an unprecedented advantage over visiting clubs. (The 1901 Orioles are a case in point, as the club batted an astounding .325 at Oriole Park IV--some 60 points above their road average and 54 points better than visitors to the park would bat.) With chapters organized by major league city, this comprehensive study of Deadball parks and park effects provides fact-filled commentary on all 34 ballparks used by the American and National Leagues between 1901 and 1919. Illustrations and historical photos are included, along with a foreword by Philip J. Lowry and a final chapter that offers observations about the overall impact of parks on the era. While most serious fans know that the Deadball Era was characterized by low scoring, aggressive baserunning, and strong pitching, few understand the extent to which ballparks determined the style of play. As it turns out, the general absence of standardization and the ever-changing dimensions, configurations, and ground rules had a profound effect on the game, as offensive production would rise and fall, sometimes dramatically, from year to year. Especially in the early years of the American League, home teams enjoyed an unprecedented advantage over visiting clubs. The 1901 Orioles are a case in point, as the club batted an astounding .325 at Oriole Park IV--some 60 points above their road average and 54 points better than visitors to the park. Organized by major league city, this comprehensive study of Deadball parks and park effects provides fact-filled, data-heavy commentary on all 34 ballparks used by the American and National Leagues from 1901 through 1919. Illustrations and historical photos are included, along with a foreword by Philip J. Lowry and a final chapter that offers an assessment of the overall impact of parks on the era. Winner, Larry Ritter Book Award--SABR "Meticulously researched...definitive"--SABR Bibliography Committee Newsletter; "recommend[ed]"--ARBA. This work seeks to address an often ignored factor in the study of early 20th century baseball, namely, what was the ballpark like? The author uses original research to answer this question This Work Seeks To Address An Often Ignored Factor In The Study Of Early 20th Century Baseball, Namely, What Was The Ballpark Like? The Author Uses Original Research To Answer This Question--provided By Publisher. Ronald M. Selter ; With A Foreward By Philip J. Lowry. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-188) And Index.