Black Saturday: Baseball’s Deadliest Ballpark Disaster
Happy 2022, everyone! Thanks again for supporting the show and signing up for this direct-inbox communication.
This week we’re re-discovering the events of Black Saturday: Baseball’s Deadliest Ballpark Disaster.
Here’s the link to listen:
Inside the Episode:
I’ve decided to share some of the links from my research sheet for each episode. Now you can read the same sources we’re using! It’s impossible to cover everything we find related to a topic, so these links can help you learn more about the episode’s subject matter and celebrate the authors and historians who helped compile this information!
“Baseball’s Deadliest Disaster: “Black Saturday” in Philadelphia” by Robert D. Warrington
“Coroner’s Jury and Bankruptcy: Aftermath of the 1903 Ball Park Horror” by Ed Morton
“It’s Time to Make MLB Stadiums Safer” by Tom Tingle
“Stadium deaths: Are Major League Baseball facilities safe enough?” by Brent Schrotenboer
Visualizing the Past
Sometimes words just can’t describe an event, and this is one example. Seeing the aftermath of the disaster really shows the chaos that must have gripped every fan in attendance that day. Take a look:
Welcome to National League Park (aka the Baker Bowl). This is a shot of the stadium along the left-field line:
(William Cash/Lloyd Thompson Collection—Courtesy of the African American Museum in Philadelphia)
Some photos of the stadium after the disaster occurred:
A section of the Wrecked Promenade; 8/9/1903 Phila. Press p 1
Collapsed Wall on Fifteenth Street; 8/9/1903 Phila. Record p 1
Here’s a photo of the new bleachers installed after the disaster.
New Left Field Bleachers; 3/31/1904 Phila. Inquirer p 10
Interesting Baseball Reads This Week…
There were some major milestones in baseball this week for women. In the United and abroad, two events showed how the game is continuing to diversify.
The first milestone goes to Genevieve Beacom, a 17-year-old pitcher from Australia. She signed a contract this past month as a development player for the Melbourne Aces in the Melbourne Challenge Series.
She is the first female pitcher for an Australian professional baseball team. Congrats, Genevieve!
The second milestone goes to Rachel Balkovec. The New York Yankees just hired the 34-year-old to manage its minor league Low-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons. Rachel is the first female manager in affiliate baseball history.
2022 is going to be an AMAZING year for Rounders. I’m investing in more support staff, building this email newsletter, and growing a bonus show. I can’t do it without you, though!
Consider becoming a subscriber as a Christmas present to yourself! You’ll enjoy the following benefits:
Access to the bonus show "This Week in Baseball History" every Monday.
Ad-free versions of the main weekly episode are delivered right in your inbox.
Vote on future episodes!
Take part in exclusive discussions.
Enjoy other members-only events and activities (like the Rounders fantasy baseball league).
Most importantly, you’ll be helping grow a show focused completely on telling baseball’s greatest stories and keeping America’s game #1.
Become a premium member today or gift a subscription to a loved one!