Wethersfield Avenue Baseball Grounds, also referred to as Clarkin Field or Clarkin's Field (I) was a baseball park located in Hartford, Connecticut. The facility was home to the following minor league teams: Hartford Atlantic League Bluebirds 1896-1897 / Co-operatives 1898 Hartford Eastern League Indians 1899-1900 / Wooden Nutmegs 1901 Hartford Senators Connecticut League 1902, 1904-1912 / Valley League 1903 / Eastern Association 1913-1914 Hartford Senators Eastern League 1916-1918; 1919-1920
For the 1896 season, the Atlantic League team's owners constructed stands for the field. The ballpark was situated between Plymouth Street and Eaton Street at 831 Wethersfield Avenue.1920 Hartford city directory, p.51
The first Atlantic League game in Hartford was played on April 23, 1896, with Hartford defeating New Haven 16-11.
In 1905, James H. Clarkin assumed the position as the Hartford Club's owner. In local newspapers, "Clarkin's Field" became the secondary name for the Wethersfield Avenue Grounds.
In 1912, Clarkin renewed his lease for ten years, and built a new grandstand.
The final Eastern League game in Hartford was a doubleheader on September 11, 1920. Hartford won both games from Waterbury.
A new Clarkin Field (II) was built in 1921, a block to the west, to replace the aging Wethersfield Avenue Grounds. The last listing of the old ballpark in Hartford city directories is in the 1921 edition. The site is now occupied by residences and commercial businesses.
References
Sources Peter Filichia, Professional Baseball Franchises, Facts on File, 1993. Phil Lowry, Green Cathedrals, several editions.
External links Some pictures of the ballpark (along with erroneous text equating this ballpark with Bulkeley Stadium) More information 1917 map showing the ballpark