List of baseball parks in Toledo, Ohio facts for kids

Fifth Third Field

Have you ever wondered where baseball teams in Toledo, Ohio played their games over the years? Toledo has a rich history of professional baseball, with many different fields and stadiums hosting exciting games. From the early days of the 1880s to the modern Fifth Third Field, baseball has always been a big part of Toledo. This article will take you on a journey through the different places where Toledo's baseball teams, like the famous Toledo Mud Hens, have played.

Baseball Parks in Toledo: A Look Back

Toledo has been home to many baseball teams and their fields. Let's explore some of the most important ones.

Historic Fields: Where Baseball Began

Baseball in Toledo started in the late 1800s. Teams played in several parks that are now part of history.

League Park: The First Home

League Park was one of the earliest baseball fields in Toledo.

• Home of: The Toledo Blue Stockings played here in 1883 and 1884. They were also joined by a team from the Western League in 1885.
• Location: It was located near Monroe Street and 15th Street. This spot is not far from where Fifth Third Field is today.

Tri-State Fairgrounds: A Weekend Spot?

The Tri-State Fairgrounds might have been a place for weekend games.

• Home of: The Toledo Blue Stockings possibly played here on Saturdays and Sundays in 1884.
• Location: You would have found it near Dorr Street and Upton Avenue. Some historians think this park was only used for amateur games, not professional ones.

Riverside Park: By the River

Riverside Park hosted games for a short time.

• Home of: The Toledo Blue Stockings played here on Sundays in 1885. However, their league stopped playing that June.
• Location: This park was located on North Summit Street, close to Ash Street. The Maumee River flowed nearby.

Presque Isle Park: A Scenic Spot

Presque Isle Park was another early baseball venue.

• Home of: The Toledo Maumees played here in 1888 until early July.
• Location: It was located at the mouth of the Maumee River. This area was known for its railway coal docks.

Speranza Park: A Busy Corner

Speranza Park became home to a few different teams.

• Home of: The Toledo Maumees, also called the Black Pirates, started playing here in July 1888. Other teams from the International League (1889) and the American Association (1890) also used this field.
• Location: It was on a triangular block bordered by Cherry Street, Frederick Street, and Franklin Avenue.
• Currently: Today, the St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center stands on this site.

Olympic Park: Another Early Field

Olympic Park hosted games for a short period.

• Home of: The Toledo Black Pirates played here in 1892. Their league also disbanded that July.
• Location: This park was located near Indiana Avenue, Hawley Street, and Woodland Avenue. It was a few blocks east of the Tri-State Fairgrounds site.

Whitestocking Park: A Temporary Home

Whitestocking Park was home to the Toledo White Stockings.

• Home of: The Toledo White Stockings played here from 1894 to 1895. The team later moved to Terre Haute, Indiana.
• Location: It was located with Lagrange Street to the west and Pearl Street to the north.

Ewing Street Park: Mud Hens Beginnings

Ewing Street Park saw the start of the famous Mud Hens.

• Home of: The Toledo White Stockings, Toledo Swamp Angels, and the early Mud Hens played here in 1894-1895. Teams from the Inter-State League also played here in 1896.
• Location: This park was located on Ewing Street, Pinewood Avenue, Hawley Street, and Woodland Avenue. It was close to the Olympic Park site.

Bay View Park: Weekend Games

Bay View Park was used for weekend games.

• Home of: The Toledo Swamp Angels, later known as the Mud Hens, played here on Saturdays and Sundays from 1896 to 1900.
• Location: It was located on Manhattan Boulevard at Summit Street.
• Currently: Today, this area is the Bayview Retirees Golf Course.

Armory Park: A Long-Standing Field

Armory Park was a significant home for the Toledo Mud Hens.

• Home of: The Toledo Mud Hens played here from 1897 to 1909. They were part of the Inter-State League, Western League, and American Association.
• Location: It was located near Spielbusch Avenue, Orange Street, North Ontario Street, and Beech Street.
• Currently: The U.S. District Courthouse now stands on this site.

Swayne Field: A Mud Hens Classic

Swayne Field was a very important home for the Mud Hens for many years.

• Home of: The Toledo Mud Hens played here from 1909 to 1955, with a break in 1914-1915 when they played in Cleveland. Another team, the Toledo "Soumichers," also played here in 1914.
• Location: It was located near Monroe Street, Detroit Avenue, Council Street, and railroad tracks.
• Currently: Today, a shopping center occupies the former site of Swayne Field.

Modern Era: New Homes for the Mud Hens

As baseball grew, new and larger stadiums were built to host the Toledo Mud Hens.

Lucas County Stadium: A Long Run

Lucas County Stadium, later known as Ned Skeldon Stadium, was home to the Mud Hens for decades.

• Home of: The Toledo Mud Hens played here from 1965 to 2001. They were part of the International League.
• Location: This stadium is located in Maumee, Ohio. It is near Key Street, the Ohio Turnpike (I-80, I-90), Michigan Avenue, Wilderness Drive, and railroad tracks.

Fifth Third Field: Today's Home

Fifth Third Field is the current home of the Toledo Mud Hens.

• Home of: The Toledo Mud Hens have played here since 2002 and continue to do so today. They are still part of the International League.
• Location: It is located in downtown Toledo, near Washington Street, North Huron Street, Monroe Street, and North St. Clair Street. It's a modern stadium where fans enjoy games today.

See also

• Lists of baseball parks