Baseball Place

Sometime in the mid 1980's a dead-end street on Broadview Ave. was paved over by the City.

Unfortunately, the street sign was also removed.

This tiny laneway was called "Baseball Place", and at one time housed at least six worker's cottages.

Baseball fans used this avenue to access the "Toronto Baseball Grounds".

Built in 1886, this park boasted a seating capacity of 2,250 paying fans.

The stands were four stories high, and the field was surrounded by a 4 metre wooden fence.

Admission was 25 cents.



The grounds became known as "Sunlight Park" after W.H. Lever opened the Sunlight Works soap factory just south of the park in 1893.



Toronto won its first professional baseball title here in 1897.

To-day Eastern Ave. cuts across the old infield of Sunlight Park, and the only reminder of its existence, is a plaque that's attached to the building at 655 Queen St. East.



Wouldn't it be nice if the City were to put back the street sign so that we can remember the laneway that did exist and how it provided an access route for Toronto baseball fans?