Who - Where was the Original Knothole Gang?

[Knothole Knothead]

Being from St. Louis I have only heard of stories of the Knothole Gangs of the young fans of the Browns and the Cardinals. I can get back to about 1932 at Sportsman's Park. A liittle research shows that Ebbets Field had some earlier unorganized youth watching through the center field gate knot holes. I would enjoy stirring up a debate about "who's on first" for claims to being the original knot hole gang. Proof with pictures, membership cards etc., would be best evidence of the original organized Knothole Gang.

[Knothole Knothead]

Here is a quote from Baseball Though a Knothole - A St. Louis History by Bill Borst, page 38 - 39. "W.E.Bilheimer, a St. Louis insurance man, introduced the idea of a 'Knothole Gang'. With each fifty dollars worth of stock purchased [in the Cardinal franchaise] went one bleacher seat that was opened up free of charge for the city's youth." The date was the beginning of the 1917 season. Because it came as part of the plans when Mrs. Helen Britton sold the Cardinal's club to a "fan syndicate from the city's prominent businessmen that formed an army of stockholders". Id. at 38.

Come on fan's - let's hear from someone out there that can top that.

[Brian McKenna]

The knothole concept basically means allowing kids to watch for free

late 1880s (perhaps 1889) - New Orleans Pelicans - owner Abner Powell - organized first knot hole gang - allowed kids to watch free if they showed good behavior

as noted - STL Cardinals organized the first knothole club

the BKN Dodgers gave over 2 million free passes to kids during the 1940s and '50s

[Williamsburg2599]

Now-a-days, the Red Sox have the "Dunkin' Donuts" Kids Zone, but they aren't exactly great seats.....