The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-04
FREE VIEWS OF BALL GAMES.

wooden stands still existed at tn
Polo Grounds, II was customar,
for those who could not raise the pric,
OF admission or obtain passes to gathel
on the viaduct that spans 155tb strs~
and from that elevated position the,
could catch gllmpses OF the game tina
the Giants and their opponents wer,
playing on the spacious field.
Owing to the height of the gran
stand the view obtainable from tho via
duct was not all that could be desired
for the roof of the stand shut off froL
view large portion Of the field. Never
'theless. the standees there could Sc,
the outfielders chasing hard hit ball
or making spectacular catches. More
over. they had the satisfaction Of heal
ing the cheering that the crowd with
the grounds turned loose whenever
stellar play occurred. when the hon
team made a run or prevented THAR "
ponents from scoring when the bas,
were full.
The viaduct was so popular as n,
stand that every afternoon II WI
crowded with deadheads from a poi.
east OF Eighth avenue alrn"A. up
Edgecombe road. on Saturday afte
Moons the crowds lined up two al
three deep. on some occasions It W
necessary for the police to set I
standces in motion in order that ore
nary traffic could &c: through
The managers of the baseball groun
| were not slow to take notice OF the Il
that hundreds of persons were ohtai
ing free view of tho game. To
on the view they erected great can>
sheets which screened n great deal
| the open field from the sight of spec:
! tors on the vi1duct. The result
that the viaduCt ceased to be a place
vantage from which To see the games
| The roof OF the present stand IL
| high and the right field wing of
protrudes so far out that II is INN,
sible at present to obtain even
glimpse OF the infield from the y
duct. In fact, II is almost impossible
get occasional views Of the outfjeld
when they are chasing balls back
the fence. The new stand sounded
death kncll OF the viaduct as "A pl
from which to see the game froe
charge. Passersby seldom see stand
there now.
When the view from the viaduct
smut OFT resourCeful persons lool
| around Tor another place from VIII
10 see the games without paying
| tne privilege. They found one lust
| the ROAD OF the 18th street entrar
on EdgeComhe road. which is many
ABOVE the level of the PLAYING field.
FROM. l57th street north to I,
street there is level stretch OF grou
Just inside the railing on the RIG
nahd side OF the walk. Below is
| speedway and there is nothing to ~,
vent a clear view Of a portion of
paying field Part of the enfield is
cernible, all OF the outfield can he =,
ana the most important thing of all
lhat the scoreboard in left field is
iull view Of the spectators on the Q
Ihe new free stand possesses adv,
tages not found on the viaduct ;
instance. the ground on the cliff
level enough to allow the use of on
stools.
So popular has the cliff become T.
any afternoon when "A game * mia
at the Polo Grounds hundreds of sp
tators are to be seen standing ar
ting on the cliff As a rulo those
the front row bring along chairs
get there early to obtain the CHI,
rear and look over the heads Of IN.
seated. Some of the spectators br
field glasses.
There is sttll another Mace r.
winch an excellent view of the ga,
can be had. But this place Is
isolated and difficult for the ordin.
ian to reach, and the facilities ,
limited. II is the framework that 81
ports set of railroad signals on p.
elevated railroad structure lust heb
the centre field fence. with all
inconvenience 1t is occupied aim
every afternoon by venturesome h.
VINO would risk a leg in order IN
tho game. They climb up ia ~
eyry and stay there for the fun p
innings never failing to attract att,
ton from the thousands Of spectat
inside tho grounds.
The railroad yards are inst north
the Polo Grounds and seldom an an
noon passes that does not find an ON,
elevated car Just outside the gro,,
behind third base The favored r
road employees occupy this car
enjoy the game 10 their hearts g.
tent every window being Occupied
n spectator.