Gordon and Koppel Field (also known as Gordon and Koppel Stadium, Federal League Park, or Gordon & Koppel Field) is a former baseball ground located in Kansas City, Missouri. It was the home field of the Kansas City Packers of the Federal League, which operated as a major league in 1914 and 1915.
History and Construction
The venue was financed and operated by Arthur F. Gordon and Hugo M. Koppel, owners of the local Gordon & Koppel Clothing Company, which also sold sporting goods. They created the Gordon & Koppel Athletic Company and opened the multi-purpose stadium on June 18, 1910. The city directory listed its address as "47th [Street] southeast corner Tracy Avenue."
Notable Events
Prior to the Federal League's arrival, the most significant event held at the stadium was the November 24, 1910, annual rivalry college football game between the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri. The game ended in a 5–5 tie, with each team scoring a touchdown (worth 5 points at the time) and missing the subsequent extra point attempts. The change in venue produced the highest gate receipts recorded to that point in the series ($34,000).
Federal League Tenure
The Federal League began as a minor league in 1913, with the Kansas City Packers as a member playing at Gordon & Koppel Field. Two members of the Gordon family served on the team's board of directors. When the league declared itself a major league for 1914, Kansas City remained a member for its two-year major-league existence. In 1914, the Packers finished in sixth place, 20 games back of first place. In 1915, they finished 5½ games behind the league champion.
Location and Dimensions
The ballfield occupied a block bounded by Lydia Avenue and The Paseo (east, left field); 47th Street (north, third base); Tracy Avenue (west, first base); and Brush Creek (south, right field). The field was subject to flooding from Brush Creek, which occasionally disrupted games. Seating capacity was approximately 12,000. Field dimensions varied: left field was 270 ft (1914) or 280 ft (1915); left-center 380 ft; center field 378 ft; right-center 403 ft; and right field 350 ft.
Closure and Aftermath
After the Federal League dissolved, the site was soon abandoned. In June 1917, the ballpark site was sold for development, and the stadium was demolished in the fall of 1917. The land once occupied by the ballpark is now a public park called Kiely Park, which also contains several commercial businesses, primarily restaurants.
