Local businesses and organizations organized base ball teams ('nines' in the parlance of the day). The Colt Armory/Factory team played from at least 1866 thorugh 1918 – often, in the early days, at 'Colt's Meadows' and 'the south meadows.'

School and amateur baseball has been played in Colt Park for decades. Now, the Friends of Vintage Base Ball, is scheduling vintage base ball games on one of the fields in the park dedicated for that purpose.

The Concept

The field is at the intersection of Curcombe Street and Hendricxsen Avenue – very near to where the Hartford Dark Blues played in the 1860s on land owned by Elizabeth Colt, who graciously allowed a base ball stadium to be built. That hallowed ground recently had a plaque installed to commemorate the field and its role in the history of base ball in Hartford.

For a full view, select the photo to the right. To download the proposal in PDF format (6.9mb), select the image to the left.

As of April 2009, vintage base ball games were played at the field, now dubbed the "Hartford Base Ball Grounds at Colt Meadows." Spectators brought their own lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic lunch. This merely added to the idyllic, pastoral feeling of Colt Meadows, and a good time was had by all. Read what one visitor had to say.

We are working towards making the Hartford Base Ball Grounds at Colt Meadows one of the finest venues in the country for the play of the 19th century game, with an authentic reproduction stadium and annual tournaments. It will take a little bit of time and a lot of money. You can help with a donation to our nonprofit organization.For now, it's just Play Ball! Select the graphic below to see our scheduled games. If your ball team would like to play in Hartford, please contact us.