The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-14

There is no doubt but that Birmingham
is baseball Wild
Not since that good year in which Bir-
mingham won the Southern league pen
nant has diamond gossip proved such an
absorbing topic.
The reason is apparent. Birmingham is
now playing magnificent ball, is in posi-
ton to threaten those just above and to
make a strenuous dash for the pennant.
And there is another reason. Birming-
ham is about to open formally and dedi-
cate its new and magnificent baseball
plant.
Birmingham will have just cause to be
proud of Redwood park. 1t will eclipse
all others in the Southern league. In
fact, no other plant In the southern
states can compare in any particular or
any detail with Birmingham grand
stand. 1t is a distinct credit to the city
enterprise of the Magic City, and is
further proof that when Birmingham men
do thing they do it well.
Redwood park is nearer the ideal base
ball plant than any other in minor league
territory. And in the territory of the
minors are Buffalo, Toronto. Toledo,
Montreal, San Francisco Louisville Mil
waukee, Sacramento, New Orleans, and
other large and metropolitan cities.
Its nearest rival is in Toledo. but those
who have made study of both award
the palm to Redwood
The new grandstand is built entirely
Of concrete. 1t is as lasting as brass. 1t
is excellently appointed and in every de-
tail modern. Opera chairs will serve as
seats. Between each aisle there is abund-
ant room for people to pass to and fro
without treading upon the toes of their
neighbors. 1t is SO arranged that people
can enter and leave without hindrance
and without crush. Cars will deliver pas
sengers at the gates of entrance and
await passengers after the games.
To the left of the grandstand are the
bleachers To the right are smokers
These stands are built, too, of concrete,
and those who occupy them will be prac-
tically as comfortable as If they were
seated in the grandstand.
1t would require an artist to point out
the many points of vantage. No photo
1t is too blythe proposition-too enor-
nous. You can stand in the center of the
grandstand and, looking in every direc-
ton beholding nothing save portions of
the gigantic pile, easily believe yourself
lost.
The plant when completed will have cost
the association a pretty penny. 1t is es-
timated that $4,000 will be a conservative
figure. At any rate. the amount is much
larger than was at first imagined.
But the owners have not hesitated on
account of expense. And, as reward
for their efforts and the expenditure of
their money, they have today a base
ball plant the most modern in minor
league territory. There Is no point
wherein Improvement could be made.
The field is spacious and is inclosured by
what eventually will be a concrete wall.
When the first game is played the
ground will be rough, no doubt, but by
the time the grass springs in the field
next April, no finer diamond can be had
anywhere. 1t is now sodded. and next
season will be carpeted by luxuriant
growth Of Bermuda
The field Is SO spacious that home runs
will become numerous. 1t will be prac-
tically impossible to knock ball over the
fence, but let one escape an outfielder
and it vii lrequire almost superhuman eff
runner from scoring. In this respect it
will remind of the Atlanta and Chatta4
nooga parks OF the present time.
The grandstand will seat 5000 people. AS
stated yesterday, Monday morning car
penters will begin the destruction of the
erandstand at West End park These
same carpenters will begin the construc-
ton and erection of emergency seats at
Redwood, because Thursday, in case no
rain falls, the largest attendance in the
history of the Southern league will be
gathered there.
1t is no longer probably the largest
crowd" No conditional clauses need be
used 1t is a certainty. People have
already begun the making of reserva-
lions of box seats and the telephone at
baseball headquarters rung SO often Sat-
urday that special operator was neces-
sary to answer all the calls. Everybody
wanted to know about the game and what
were the chances of having seats re-
served.
Throughout the city everybody, of every
estate, of every walk of life, of all sexes,
are talking the "opening" of Redwood
News comes from the suburbs that base
ball is the only theme permitted there.
Throughout Jefferson county Redwood is
on every tongue.
Everybody in Birmingham. 1t is almost
certain, will be on hand when the first
game is started. The city will be as de-
serted as that Auburn of which Gold
smith sang. Practically all the merchants
lin fact all of them save one-have
agreed to close their doors at o'clock
Thursday afternoon From these stores
hundreds Of clerks will gladly turn their
those Of doctors. lawyers. artisans, coal
dealers plumbers Candlegtick makers,