Polo Grounds - Dimensions

Dimensions

Compiled from various photos, baseball annuals, The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball (Turkin & Thompson, 1951) and Green Cathedrals by Phil Lowry.

1890

• Left Field Line - 335 ft. (not posted)
• Center Field - 500 ft. (not posted)
• Right Field Line - 335 ft. (not posted)

1911-1922

• Left Field Line - 277 ft. (not posted)
• Center Field - 433 ft. (not posted)
• Right Field Line - 258 ft. (not posted)

1923-1957, 1962-1963

• Left Field Line - 279 ft. (not posted - sometimes listed as 280)
• Left Field Upper Deck Overhang - about 250 ft.
• Shallow Left Center - 315 ft.
• Left Center 1 – 360 ft.
• Left Center 2 – 414 ft.
• Deep Left Center - 447 ft. left of bullpen curve
• Deep Left Center - 455 ft. right of bullpen curve
• Center Field - approx. 425 ft. (unposted) corners of runways
• Center Field - 483 ft. posted on front of clubhouse balcony, sometimes 475 ft.
• Center Field - 505 ft. (unposted) sometimes given as total C.F. distance
• Deep Right Center - 455 ft. left of bullpen curve
• Deep Right Center - 449 ft. right of bullpen curve
• Right Center 2 – 395 ft.
• Right Center 1 – 338 ft.
• Shallow Right Center - 294 ft.
• Right Field Line - 257 ft. 3 3/8 in. (not posted - sometimes listed as 258)
• Backstop - 65 ft. sometimes also given as 74 ft.

The disparities in some of the posted distances, notably straightaway center, have not been fully reconciled by researchers. The closest object in straight center field was the Grant Memorial, followed by the post supporting the overhang of the clubhouse (above which the 483 or 475 signs were posted), and a roll-up door several feet behind the overhang at ground level. The roof of the protruding part of the clubhouse sloped back and met the vertical wall of the larger part of the clubhouse. The exact objects referred to by the numbers 475, 483 and 505 can be speculated but remain unconfirmed.