Paterson, NJ

Memorable Moment:

• September 22, 1933: Philadelphia Stars vs. New York Black Yankees in the "Colored Championship of the Nation". Philadelphia 14 New York 8.

In 1932, Mayor John V. Hinchliffe authorized the construction of a stadium for the Paterson school system as a public works project. It was used for this purpose until 1997. It now has trees and weeds growing in the field and stands and almost every square inch of concrete has graffiti on it.

Press box.

Entrance way.

The New York Black Yankees called this park home from 1937 to 1945, with the exception of 1938 when they played at Triborough Stadium. During that time, stars such as Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson played here. Larry Doby, Hall-of-Famer and the man who would break the American League's color barrier, played not only baseball here, but football too, as a student at Paterson's East Side High. In the mid to late 40s, when Negro League baseball began to dwindle, due to the integration of the sport, professional baseball left Hinchliffe Stadium forever.

Semi-professional baseball, football, boxing, and auto racing continued to be held at this site. On March 22, 2004, Hinchliffe Stadium was put on the National Historic Register. This helps prevent demolition and serious alteration of the facility. There are plans for the Paterson school system to sink $25 million, from grants of course, into the construction of a sports academy, with Hinchliffe being the center piece. The plans call for a historic restoration of the property.

Hinchliffe Stadium Firsts

• First Event: July 8-9, 1932, George Washington Bi-Centennial
• First Sporting Event: July 24, 1932, baseball, House of David vs. Paterson Pros
• First Night Game: August 15, 1932, Cuban Stars vs. Paterson Truckers
• First Home Run: July 24, 1932, Gil Burgess, First Base, Paterson Pros
• First Football Game: Thanksgiving Day, 1930. Game played at stadium site with temporary seating
• First Football Game when Stadium was Complete: September 20, 1932, Elizabeth Pros vs. Silk City Bears

Thanks to Brian LoPinto for much of this information.

© 2004-17 Paul Healey.