Kennewick Builds a Ballpark to Lure the Pasco Team
Charles Conway donates land near the bridge for a first-class diamond and grandstand, hoping to bring the best team in Central Washington to play home games on this side of the river.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
While we have no regular base ball team we are arranging to have a first class base ball park. Chas. Conway has agreed to give the boys the use of his land near the bridge for that purpose and arrangements have been put under way to lay out a diamond and erect a grand stand. The plans for the grounds will give Kennewick one of the best in the country. The infield is to be leveled and graveled so that it will always be solid and free from dust. The grand stand which will be erected immediately behind the catcher's position will accommodate about four hundred people and will be substantially built and covered.
The cause of this activity in this line is the fact that the Pasco team, the best in Central Washington, has agreed that if we arrange proper grounds part of its home games will be played on this side of the river. We have a large number of base ball enthusiasts here who will welcome this opportunity to see good ball played in this city.
“The grand stand which will be erected immediately behind the catcher's position will accommodate about four hundred people and will be substantially built and covered.”
In 1905, a small town's investment in a ballpark was a big civic statement, aimed at attracting regional talent and boosting local pride. Today, the Tri-Cities' sports scene is anchored by professional teams and modern facilities, but the same booster spirit drives public investment in stadiums and arenas.
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