Josh Gibson Field

Josh Gibson Field

Former names	Ammon Field
Location	2217 Bedford Avenue
Surface	grass turf
Construction
Opened	1928
Renovated	2008–09
Construction cost	$292,000 (renovation)
General contractor	Massaro Corporation
Main contractors	Sports Turf Specialties
Tenants
Josh Gibson Little League

Josh Gibson Field is a baseball venue located in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Until 2008 the field was known as Ammon Field and served as the home of the Pittsburgh Keystones of the Negro League in 1922, their only season in the league.

Josh Gibson began his career at Ammon Field in 1929 while playing with the Pittsburgh Crawfords, who were visiting the Keystones, and continued playing there, as the Crawfords and Homestead Grays regularly played at Ammon. Gibson, known as the "black Babe Ruth," hit over 800 home runs during his career, before his death from a stroke in 1947 at age 35. In 1972, he became the second Negro Leagues player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Originally a youth semi-pro team, the Crawfords later played at Ammon Field, gaining a reputation as a competitive team and attracting games with many white teams. W.O.W., the defending champions of the white Greater Pittsburgh Semipro Tournament, played the Crawfords at Ammon on June 15, 1930. Although usually reporting on the fully professional Grays, the Pittsburgh Courier reported the 9–8 Crawfords victory. Owner and manager Cumberland Posey of the Grays recognized the competition that the Crawfords were placing on his business, and sought to undermine the team's appeal. In 1929, Cumberland encouraged Crawford’s manager Hooks Tinker to take on his brother Seward as a part-time assistant and booker. While admission to the Crawford’s amateur games were free by law, at one tournament in 1930, Seward “See” Cumberland closed all but one gate to the park and required fans to give a “contribution”. See even had two police officers to stand at the gate. After the game, See brought Tinker a burlap bag with $2000 in small bills. The Cumberland brothers were also able to lure Gibson to play with the Grays.

The field was likely split into two smaller fields in the 1940s when youth leagues began playing at the location. In 1996, a historical marker was erected at the site, 2217 Bedford Avenue, that reads: "Hailed as Negro Leagues' greatest slugger, he hit some 800 home runs in a baseball career that began here at Ammon Field in 1929. Played for Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, 1930-46. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, ' 72."

The Josh Gibson Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh aimed at preserving the history of the Negro Leagues. The Foundation's president is Gibson's grandson Sean. The Foundation runs a little league associated with PONY Baseball that has over 300 inner-city players, which has used the field since 1999.

In 2008, the Foundation began a $292,000 renovation of the field. The project consisted of resurfacing the grass fields, renovating the four dugouts and bleachers, and constructing scoreboards, sprinklers, and a concession stand. The project received funding of $78,000 from Pittsburgh Pirates Charities, $64,000 from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, $20,000 from Del Monte Foods and $15,000 from The Grable Foundation. The City of Pittsburgh contributed the additional $95,000 required. The Pittsburgh-based Massaro Corporation served as the contractor for construction work, and Sports Turf Specialties, Inc performed the field work. Both companies offered significant discounts on the work. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 6, 2008.

References

• Lowry, Philip J. (1992). Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebration of All 271 Major League and Negro League Ballparks Past and Present. Reading: Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-56777-6.