Borchert Field

[brewcrew82]

I have been looking online for a few days for the dimensions to old Borchert Field in Milwaukee and was wondering if anyone can help me out with them (particularly the power alleys, which look ridiculously far from home plate).

Thanks

Here (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Borchert_county_postcard.jpg) is a picture of the field for those who haven't seen it.

[Knick9]

Borchert Field's dimensions look awfully similar to that of the Polo Grounds. Maybe the distances to the foul poles are alittle bit deeper, though?...like 280-300 feet? I don't know to be honest. I've seen that picture before, but I would like to know more about that ballpark.

[six4three]

Little late, but I came across this photo, with dimensions listed. It was one of a pack created by the American Association and sent to radio stations for their coverage.

Doesn't help with the alleys, I'm afraid, but a good guide to the basic dimensions: 267 to left, 392 to center and 268 to right. So the corners must have been over 425 feet.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice postcard of old Borchert Field.

[six4three]

Yeah, that's a nice one. I have that card in my collection. And at least we know what kind of beer they sold at the Orchard. :D

I'll see what else I have - maybe I can scan something from a program that would help with the interior dimensions.

[Pelt]

Here are some great pics on digitalballparks.com. I've always loved this park. I remember reading about the Yanks playing an exhibition game, or two, here.

Crazy to think that this is the field where the Orioles began. The Brewers left Milwaukee in 1902, became the St Louis Browns and of course, eventually moved to Baltimore.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_Exterior_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_Aerial_Far_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_Grandstand_Far_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_Proposed_V2T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_Outfield_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_3rd_to_1st_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_RF_640T.jpg

http://www.digitalballparks.com/AmerAssoc/Borchert_-_From_3rd_Upper_640T.jpg

I just noticed that you can see they renovated it some, in the color pic. They moved the view-obstructing supporting beams back, along with the roof.

EDIT: Or it's just the paint job and sun angle that makes it look that way. Actually, I think it is. It's also kinda crazy that the light standards are inside foul territory, in front of the grandstands.

[Pelt]

Realizing that the initial question to the thread is quite old now, I recreated the field in sketchup anyway, with the dimensions given in the photo that six4three posted.

The measuring tool in sketchup has the corners out to 435' in each corner - with only a couple of inches difference between the two.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9650/dimensionsvm9.jpg

[Pelt]

I need to correct myself. I had my parks mixed up. The eventual Baltimore Orioles played one year at the Lloyd Street Grounds before moving to St Louis.

Pic of Lloyd Street Grounds in Milwaukee (1901).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Lloyd_Street_Grounds.jpg

[six4three]

Great mockup - 435 feet sounds about right.

Love those pictures - thanks!

It was a very quirky park. Think you're also right about the "moving" supports being a trick of the light - I know that Veeck made many improvements during his time as owner, but don't know if anyone would spend the money for such a structural overhaul.