Sprague Field

On a crisp autumn afternoon in 1919, Sprague Field buzzed with excitement. The newly constructed field, nestled between Valley Road and Upper Mountain Avenue at Montclair State University’s main entrance, hosted its inaugural baseball game. Sprague Field wasn’t just any field. It was a symbol of pride for the Sprague Electric Company, a subsidiary of General Electric. The company had envisioned a recreational haven for its 2,000 employees. Sprague Field’s baseball diamond, though constrained by surrounding buildings, boasted dimensions respectable for its time: 330 feet to left field, 385 feet to center, and 325 feet to right. A five-foot fence guarded left field, rising to a towering 35-foot scoreboard in left-center. A ten-foot fence enclosed the remainder of the outfield. Bloomfield Avenue bordered the first base line, LaFrance Avenue the third, Floyd Avenue left field, and Arlington Avenue center and right fields. Initially, seating was limited. However, by 1920, Sprague Field could accommodate up to 3,000 spectators thanks to added grandstands and bleachers. The Sprague Electric team dominated the amateur North Jersey Industrial League, clinching championships in 1919 and 1920. Sprague Field also showcased the company’s formidable soccer team. In 1922, the Bloomfield Elks leased Sprague Field for Sunday games, elevating the field’s status. The Elks, a prominent semipro team, invested $7,000 to enhance the field, doubling its capacity to 6,000. They even attracted future Philadelphia A’s star Mule Haas to their roster. A young Lou Gehrig, playing under the alias Babe Long, briefly joined the Elks in 1923 but was released after a disappointing stint. Despite this, the Elks thrived, finishing the season with an impressive 26-10-1 record. Sprague Field continued to draw large crowds for Elks games, especially against rivals like the Heinie Zimmerman Bronx All-Stars and top Negro League teams. One game against the Detroit Tigers, featuring Hall of Famer Heinie Manush, drew a reported 8,500 fans, with another 500 watching from nearby railroad cars. By 1924, the Elks boasted a cumulative record of 95-52-3. In 1926, disaster struck Sprague Field. A fire, sparked by a discarded cigarette, ravaged the grandstand and bleachers during a game between the Newark Bears and the Buffalo Bisons. This marked the end of the Bloomfield Elks’ reign at Sprague Field. The Newark Browns, a Negro League team, became the new tenants in 1927, renaming the field General Electric Field. The Browns played at Sprague Field until 1931. The field hosted its last professional game in 1932 as part of the short-lived East-West League. Sprague Field eventually transitioned into a community playground, now known as Felton Field, continuing its legacy as a space for athletic pursuits.