Smoke and soot often disrupted games at Parkside Field. Today we’re standing at what was once Parkside Field. It’s an area steeped in local history.
Parkside Field was a multi-sport athletic field for the community. The field hosted various events. These ranged from sports to community gatherings. USC Housing uses Parkside Lawn for outdoor events. Screenings and luncheons are often held here. Residential programs also take place.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the sounds of cheering crowds. Picture the sights of athletes in action at Parkside Field. This was not just any field. It was the home of the Philadelphia Stars. The Philadelphia Stars were a celebrated Negro league baseball team.
The Pennsylvania Railroad YMCA built the field. It was intended for their employees’ use. The Railroad YMCA team played football here until 1905. Later, the Philadelphia Stars made it their home.
From 1936 to 1947, the Stars played most of their home games here. Except for Monday nights. They would play at Shibe Park. Shibe Park was home to the Philadelphia Athletics.
Parkside Field wasn’t always in top condition. The grass was often unkempt. The nearby train yard caused delays. Smoke and soot from coal-powered locomotives often drifted over the field. Despite these challenges, the Stars drew large crowds.
Some memorable moments occurred at Parkside Field. Josh Gibson hit a very long home run that flew out of the park. Satchel Paige once told his fielders to lie down. He then struck out the side with nine pitches.
Parkside Field hosted significant games. It held Game 4 of the 1945 Negro World Series. The Cleveland Buckeyes played the Homestead Grays. Game 3 of the 1947 Series also took place here. The Buckeyes faced the New York Cubans then.
The field had a capacity of 5000 to 6000 people. Overflow crowds sometimes brought attendance to 10000. Even Miss Hattie Williams contributed to the park’s story. She chopped wood from the grandstand to heat water for hot dogs.
Today, Parkside Field is a memorial park. It commemorates the Philadelphia Stars and Negro leagues baseball. There’s a Pennsylvania Historic Site marker. A Negro Leagues Memorial Statue also stands here. A mural celebrates the Stars.
These tributes remind us of the field’s legacy. They honor the athletes who played here. They acknowledge the importance of Negro league baseball in Philadelphia. Parkside Field may be gone but its story lives on. It is preserved in memory and art.