LeaguePark,

 

Thanks for the info and great news!

 

Just curious, where else are you advertising this so the general public knows.  Do you have any internet links for the event?

This is a quiet...but most exciting project! Reminds me of Field Of Dreams! Maybe Kevin Costner would like to take part in this..he is a big fan of the game. It might draw a lot of attention...

I had the chance to drive over to the League Park event on Saturday, it was really cool.

I didn't get the chance to stay long, but that could be a great little neighborhood anchored by League Park.

There are only remnants of the Park left, as most probably know, but enough remains to restore it to a worthwhile destination. It is definitely a landmark.

 

It may already have been posted on this thread, but here is their website:  http://www.leaguepark.org/

 

I also had the chance to drive a little bit around the neighborhood (part of the Hough area).

Just like the Park, there are remnants of the older housing. Many are in bad shape but you can tell that some could be restored to their original appearance. There are some nice brick Cleveland 4-suiter apartment buildings. Unfortunately, there are a lot of empty lots.

 

Although, the street that lies one(?) block north of Lexington Ave--- I believe it is called Linwood Ave.--- this street is probably the best example I have seen of infill homes in the city.

They are close to the street, they are similar architecturally to the original homes and they are close to each other - very snug.

It is the way that Chester Ave. and other streets in the Hough neighborhood should have appproached their infill homes. It really is a good example of a small street done right.

You can get to Linwood Ave. by turning off of E. 65th (near E. 66th & Lexington---League Park's address). You cannot turn onto Linwood off E. 55th, because it's one-way.

It's nice.

Yes, I like what's happening with the infill housing in that area. Very urban-appropriate and not an attempt to "Solonize" Hough. If they can make something of that park, I suspect you'll see more housing.

 

The bleacher wall along E. 66th St. is being replaced/restored. The ticket house will eventually be restored too.  http://www.leaguepark.org/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=28

 

 

 

 

Hate to say it, but I'll believe it when I see it done.

Cleveland City Council approves spending to get historic League Park project started

February 08, 2011

By Mark Gillispie, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After years of fits, starts and disappointment, the late Councilwoman Fannie Lewis' plan to develop historic League Park in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood will become reality in the next few years.

 

City Council on Monday approved spending $387,000 to hire an architectural firm to create plans and oversee the renovation of the former home of the Cleveland Indians at East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue.

 

Mayor Frank Jackson's administration has committed $5 million to complete the first phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2012.

 

That will include restoration of the ticket house and bleacher wall, which are still standing, and construction of a ball diamond on same footprint where the Indians won the World Series title in 1920, Babe Ruth swatted his 500th home run in 1929 and the Cleveland Buckeyes won a Negro League championship in 1945.

 

... More at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/02/cleveland_city_council_approve_5.html#incart_hbx

 

Interesting project, but I really question how much "bang for the buck" the city is getting here.  So many other projects the city could focus this money on...

Great news. Restoring the historic ballpark (home of Major League and Negro League Championships) can only help establish a much needed focal point for a neighborhood with a lot to offer. This may not have the short term glitz and bang of a casino or aquarium, but it does show long term thinking. It is an investment in the history, architecture and, most importantly, residential nature of the Hough neighborhood. It would be a investment geared toward neighborhood enrichment, not short term revenue generation.

 

I would hope that future posters who diminish this project would specifically address why this project should not move forward. Otherwise it's just cynical noise.

 

I urge everyone to check out League Park as it stands today--and not just on a wintery weekday drive through. Make an effort to stop by on a sunny spring day when vintage baseballers fill the diamond. Or on a weekday afternoon when pee-wee footballers practice where the Browns once did when they were a Championship team. It is a park in a neighborhood with some nice new homes and the shells of historic homes that could use some TLC. We're at a point where there is just enough of the architecture left to remind us what a beautiful baseball cathedral it once was. If we neglect it any longer, we'll likely loose it.

I agree. This is an important project for the soul of the neighborhood.

I personally would love to see this project move forward.  Though the park is not one of the neighborhood's main concerns at this point (abandoned properties, crime, debris in vacant lots, and animals are among residential concerns), this project would do a lot for Lexington Ave and the surrounding streets.  I think it could spur greater interest in the redevelopment of the area in the future.  This section of the city is going through big changes, as you'll see large homes built within the last few years standing directly next to vacant and abandoned properties which in many cases are beyond repair. 

 

Not to veer off topic, but CSU using the historic ballpark would seem like a no-brainer since the school is literally only 2 miles away... though the neighborhood has a problem with "outsiders" (including CSU) wanting to use neighborhood assets- including League Park.       

 

^  "By the time the full restoration plan, which will require another $3.5 million in private donations for seating and locker rooms, is complete, Dow hopes it will become Cleveland State University's home field. It's 20 miles closer to campus than the Vikings' current home in Avon, and Dow says the field will be college-certified with new fences and irrigation."

 

Full article at  Cleveland Magazine April 2011 issue

 

 

I'm hoping it goes that way, but at present, CSU's plans still include building their own separate ballpark on campus.  That seems wasteful in the abstract and wasteful of a really cool opportunity.

The CSU plans were made before any news of the redevelopment of League Park was announced.  But this would be a terrific adjustment to their plans, I hope they can coordinate to make it happen.

I never thought building dorms around a baseball field was such a great idea anyway.  They can pay for extra transportations costs to League park with the money they save on broken windows.  League park would be an amazing place to have college games and I bet would be really unique compared to most schools.  How many current college players can say they play at the same park Babe Ruth hit his 500th home run at!

What an awesome idea for CSU to play home games at League Park.  I've never understood the idea of playing games in Lorain County anyways.  LP is a straight shot about 45 blocks down Chester from CSU.  Make it happen, Cleveland!

This is a kind of cool blurb about Babe Ruth's 500th HR at League Park:

 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/boxscore/08111929.shtml

It can also attract Little League tournaments, Cleveland City School Games and Championship.

I would agree using League Park as a Home Field for CSU games would be creative, however a home field on campus goes a very long way in giving CSU more of a campus fell akin to OSU or UC.

I love this project and feel it can be a great spark for the neighborhood. I love the history of League Park in baseball's history--and this is one of the last remnants of a bygone era evoking every urbanist's dreams in neighborhood fabric, and what Hough was overall.

 

One thing however, that concerns me is follow-up maintenance and watching over of the place. Realistically,  currently the neighborhood is not exactly Disney Land...and just a few bad seeds can create a problem with potential vandalism.

 

When reading the Feb. article above...this statement stood out to me: "They want to make sure it's accessible to the community and kids can enjoy the space and can play some on that field," Dow said.

While in theory I agree....in gut feeling and reality, I see, if not watched over or a plan set in place to nip broken window theory issues in the bud..... a place where litter, broken glass, loitering, fighting, or other inappropriate activity could hamper the otherwise fantastic neighborhood revitalization catalyst. Some people's idea of "kids playing" is other people's idea of vandalism and unruly behavior.

 

Do kids/public need a place to play? Play.... YES.... trash and vandalize?....NO. So, I hope some sort of plan is in place or long term thinking to address this issue.

This project is nice but its kind of odd to me.

I would agree using League Park as a Home Field for CSU games would be creative, however a home field on campus goes a very long way in giving CSU more of a campus fell akin to OSU or UC.

 

Although I understand what you're saying, OSU's baseball field (bball arena, track, softball field) is on "West Campus" and not even that close of a walk to student housing.  Most students would take a bus or drive if they go to OSU baseball games.

Looks like the renovations are finally going to happen and soon.

 

Cleveland's League Park to get $5 million renovation

Published: Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 4:48 PM    Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 6:05 PM

  By Thomas Ott, The Plain Dealer

 

Cleveland is finally set to restore League Park, at least two decades after city officials first discussed returning the piece of hallowed baseball ground to glory.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/league_park_to_get_5-million_r.html

YAY!!!!!!!! That's awesome! I'm sure it will greatly help the neighborhood which has been looking forward to this for a long, long time. League Park has sat and withered away since the late 1940s, with only minor improvements made since.

 

This is awesome.  I hope it becomes a real focal point for local non-pro baseball stuff.  And the occasional pro game would be awesome too, though not sure how much parking this place will have.  Can't wait to see the plans come out.

Amazing news.  I'd love to see some sketches.

I'm curious to what $5 million can possibly do.  Very excited to say the least!

Ha, no League Park article is complete without mention of the Bambino going deep for his 500th career bomb.

 

This is great news, though!  I just took a drive by the place again last month and I really wish they had more to work with.  But regardless, I can't wait to see what they'll do to improve it and make it usable again.

Can't wait to see the dirt fly in June!

I think it should become a minor league baseball park, but with the museum in the old ballpark's remaining, two-story building to showcase the site's incredible history. I would go to see baseball games there in a heartbeat!!

To bad CSU decided that, Beisbal had not bean very very goo to me". (<<<<<< an old SNL reference kids).

How about local high school/college teams. Tri-C? Case?

 

Also there are renderings on City Arch's site. But I am not sure if they reflect the current plan

 

http://cityarch.com      (Go to Portfolio/Community&Recreation/Historic League Park)

 

To bad CSU decided that, Beisbal had not bean very very goo to me". (<<<<<< an old SNL reference kids).

How about local high school/college teams. Tri-C? Case?

 

 

If I had the resources I would support bringing back the Negro Leagues. Or at least host some exhibition games on that principle. I think it would bring back a ton of interest and much needed attention to the sport. 

 

I'm sure some would consider this controversial.

 

Not me. I consider the Negro Leagues as one of the most inspiring, bright spots of American history. 

I don't know how many minor league teams that MLB teams usually have, but it would be great if the Indians started another minor league team and had them play at League Park

I don't know how many minor league teams that MLB teams usually have, but it would be great if the Indians started another minor league team and had them play at League Park

 

You already have the captains close by that can barely draw a crowd after the excitement died down after the first couple years. I think its a stretch to think that League Park with its location, size, and lack of parking could even be in the thoughts of any minor league team. I would love to see it happen, but dont think its realistic. Again you already have a brand new, full size stadium with parking a few miles east. Without the history though, whats left of it atleast.

You always have the history. What you don't have are the facilities and the means to celebrate it.

I don't think its necessarily that unrealistic. I'm not suggesting an extra large team. It could be a low team on the totem pole. Could be a Class A team. We'll have the facility. $5 million should bring League Park to life. So why not put a small, low on the totem pole, minor league team on the field to make sure that this gets some good use and that it is the boon to the neighborhood that it should be?

The Captains are Class A and play in a $22 million, full size stadium that holds over 7000 people.

 

I dont thinks thats in their plans anyways. The lot is already small and misshaped to begin with and they propose adding a "community building with a museum, a youth baseball diamond and a field for football and soccer. If bids are low enough, the city could add a pavilion and splash park."

 

No way a minor league stadium can function with all of those other uses listed above on such a small lot.

Misshaped?

 

It's the exact same lot that saw decades of historic baseball. The right field line was very short--pretty much a converse of Fenway Park in Boston. And no one says that Fenway isn't good for professional, let alone amateur, baseball.

 

League Park is a big part of this city's rich history. We're lucky that the plot is still open and available to restore.

City Architecture said in its League Park renderings that "The restoration and redevelopment of League Park would consist of restoring the existing ticket house and E. 66th Street wall, recreating the historic locker rooms, expanding the facility to accommodate a 4,000 seat ballpark, adding meeting rooms and a museum, rebuilding the field in its original 1890 configuration, and creating a community park for the residents of the Hough neighborhood".

City Architecture said in its League Park renderings that "The restoration and redevelopment of League Park would consist of restoring the existing ticket house and E. 66th Street wall, recreating the historic locker rooms, expanding the facility to accommodate a 4,000 seat ballpark, adding meeting rooms and a museum, rebuilding the field in its original 1890 configuration, and creating a community park for the residents of the Hough neighborhood".

 

Sounds great to me! A 4,000-seat ballpark is plenty big, especially for rookie farm teams and amateur leagues.

 

As one of the greatest voices in movie history said in one of the most memorable sports speeches, "people will come, Ray":

 

League Park already sees a lot of use for vintage games.  The Cleveland Blues use League Park as their home field.  I play (very badly) on the Whiskey Island Shamrocks.  Vintage base ball draws a decent crowd that brings their own lawn chairs.  Having actual grandstands would be fantastic. 

^ it'll get a lot of use for important HS and little league games too

 

 

great news thats been a long long time coming!

Not sure if plans are moving forward because League Park is not listed on the Cleveland Planning Commission's Design Review agenda, but the pictures are included in the agenda's package of images....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2012/04132012/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at all the black people in that rendering!  I really have to laugh!

 

I like the layout!  Let get this puppy done and add some local retail and housing around it!  Hopefully some little league teams will use this.

 

The plans don't seem to show much in the way of seating/stands. I wonder where the previously proposed 4,000 seats would be?

What an amazing project.  I had a chance to play here in Middle School and even then I understood the history and tradition of the ballpark.  I still get a little bitter when I think about the great neighborhood ballparks like League Park still standing, Fenway and Wrigley, but this makes me feel much better.

 

I just imagine weekend travel league tournaments starring teams from all over Ohio/Midwest taking in this jewel of a park!

I try not to put too much faith in renderings, but those look fantastic!

 

I can't wait to catch a game there again.

Look at all the black people in that rendering!  I really have to laugh!

 

I got a laugh out of that too.  Lots of Choo jerseys as well.

 

Hopefully some little league teams will use this.

 

I agree it would be cool if the Tribe played a regular season game or two there.  This park apparently would have the capacity to host such a game too.

There is so much potential in that area.  Hopefully this would be the start of a turnaround.

There is so much potential in that area.  Hopefully this would be the start of a turnaround.

Agreed