Rickey Builds a Modern Field
As a playing field was constructed that would match any being used for spring training, it is the rest of the complex that helps St. Pete’s facility shine. To the north of the field (third base/left field line) was the teaching facility. Rickey will have installed four handball courts, three full length batting/pitching cages, a bunting cage and two running lanes leading to sliding pits in the fine white beach sand.
The hand ball courts were built in the third base area behind the bleachers reserved for negroes. The full 90’ running lanes and sliding pits were out at the left field fence as Rickey believed the beach sand was the finest surface on which to practice sliding. There was also at least one pitcher’s mound in relation to the running lanes, so the full experience of dealing with the pitcher while leading off could be experienced.
The cages were placed against the back (northern) fence with the batter hitting towards the south. The cages were 12’ wide, like modern day amateur widths (remember, players were by and large smaller than today). They likely were at least 70’ long. He used the cages for pitchers to get live work and had a catcher in the cage as evidenced by the nine catchers he brought to camp. It’s not noted how the bunting cage configuration differed from the batting cages. Off the field, Rickey could easily view all the activities in those areas at one time.
Another of Rickey’s “scientific” teaching methods was that he employed the “strings” system around home plate for the pitcher’s bullpen sessions to frame the strike zone. I have no idea if Rickey came up with that or took the idea from someone else, but the string system was employed by teams into the late 60’s/early 70’s. It was reported that Rickey was encouraged to patent his batting cage concepts. In the end, this was more of a college type set-up and was unique to find at professional baseball camps.
24” piers were built on the sand base that the stands would be built on. Most of the floors of interior buildings were poured concrete. The locker rooms were considered spacious for the times. The home locker room was 50’ x 10’ with 40 lockers. The visitor’s room was said to be similar in size. Depending upon the article you read, there were 4, 5, or 12 shower stalls at the complex. A couple of pictures show a blurred water tower rising above the stands which supplied the (cold only) water to the showers and likely the grass. (By the spring of 1915 hot water would be available.)
Concession and souvenir stands, restrooms and ticket windows were also constructed. The main entrance was off 22nd. Ave NE and Bay St. on the south side of 22nd. It was likely very close to what today is Andalusia Way NE. Ticket booths were on both sides of the entry. There was said to be room for auto parking west of the ballpark about one block off 1st St. N. Most visiting teams likely came in from Tampa due to a lack of lodging in St. Pete. They would most likely arrive by steamer, particularly in ‘14 and “15. Coffee Pot Bayou was dredged 100’ wide to a depth of 6’ below the low tide water line and a dock/small pier was built to accommodate. A picture of this has yet to be found but the pier suspected to have been located at or just north of the left field foul line. Spectators likely had to walk around the outfield fence to reach the gate (as did those coming by streetcar who were dropped off outside centerfield in ‘14). There was likely a “team only” access gate from the pier as the home team also went out there to fish on many occasions.
A 3’ high manual scoreboard was erected on top of the outfield fence. We have seen pictures covering the right field line to straight away leftfield with no sign of the board. So, it was likely near the left field line. A small platform was built for the scoreboard operator to post the numerals as required.
The stands, other than behind home plate, were finished last. The press was accorded the lower section behind the plate. Separated by a walkway, the upper section was comprised of 18 boxes each seating 10 – 14 spectators. Grandstands were extended down both lines. The furthest down leftfield (from about 3rd base out) was the negro bleachers built for about 400 fans. Of course, this also represented the longest walk from the entry gate. The stands perhaps extended further into the right field area as these were closest to the ballpark gate.
By accounts of the day, Coffee Pot was easily the finest facility in Florida and likely among all spring training sites.