More than a century before the Yard Goats took the field at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Hartford was home to another ballpark: Hartford Base Ball Park, later known as Wethersfield Avenue Grounds. The venue was built in 1896 by shareholders of the Hartford Baseball Club, led by its new owner and manager, William “Bald Billy” Barnie. A former outfielder for the original Hartford Dark Blues in 1874, Barnie revived professional baseball in the city after a brief absence, earning widespread admiration for his efforts.

Bald Billy secured a plot of land on the west side of Wethersfield Avenue near Hanmer Street for the new ballpark. The grandstand, made of wood and steel, could accommodate 1,500 spectators, with tickets priced at 15 cents. A press box was built atop the grandstand for journalists covering the games. While construction was underway, Hartford prepared for the season by practicing with the Trinity College team at their grounds. The new park was finished in time for a home opener on April 23, 1896, when Hartford dominated New Haven with a decisive 7-1 victory.

Along with their new ballpark, Hartford’s season was both attention-grabbing and controversial. Barnie’s team, sometimes called the Hartford Bluebirds, hosted the city’s first night game under electric lights. However, the experiment was unsuccessful, as the partially lit field proved too dark for effective play against a team from Brockton.
The Bluebirds were led by captain Bob Pettit, a versatile utility player from Williamstown, Massachusetts. Key contributors like John Thornton and Reddy Mack helped propel Hartford to the top of the standings, keeping them locked in a tight race with Newark as they made a final push for the Atlantic League pennant.

However when Newark finished in first place, Hartford protested the decision. Manager Barnie argued that Newark’s record was unfairly inflated due to a dozen extra games played. Newark also used a suspended pitcher named Joseph Frye who had left Hartford midseason. As a result, the second place Bluebirds challenged Newark to a 7-game series dubbed the Soby Cup sponsored by Charles Soby. Newark declined the invitation though third place Paterson accepted and Paterson won the Soby Cup. By November of 1896, the matter was put to rest by Sam Crane, President of the Atlantic League, who declared Newark as champions.

Manager Barnie would manage Hartford until he unexpectedly passed away in 1900. Condolences and words of support for Barnie poured into Hartford from across the baseball world. He was buried alongside other baseball greats in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. Hartford fans remembered him fondly, and the ball club finally won a minor league pennant at Hartford Base Ball Park in 1909. The venue later became Clarkin Stadium and then Bulkeley Stadium.