Antelope Park or the "M" Street park was the home of the Lincoln Western League franchise from 1906 through 1917. Reported attendance figures indicate that the park held slightly over 6,000 fans.

Lincoln had many monikers during this timeframe including the Ducklings, the Tree Planters, the Greenbackers, the Railsplitters, the Tigers and the Links. Although they had some success they never won a Western League championship during this time.

There were a number of notable players who called Antelope Park home. Ed Cicotte pitched here in 1907, Marty Berghammer was shortstop in 1912 and returned in 1917 after stints with the Reds of the National League and the Rebels in the Federal League.

Action photograph from Antelope Park The right field sign is for "Kelly's Plumbing" The company still exists as KSC Direct, Home of Kelly Supply Company

	Opening day 1911, the Lincoln Railsplitters defeated the Denver Grizzlies 3-2 in front of a capacity crowd. In prior years the governor of the state would throw the ceremonial first pitch. Governor Chester Aldrich had just vetoed a Sunday baseball law which had passed the legislature. The veto override failed by 6 votes. This action made him unpopular with baseball fans so he skipped opening day. State Senator Harry Barting was chosen to toss the first pitch. The senator from Otoe county had championed the Sunday baseball bill. Notice the band in the background of this view down the first base line.
	The Denver Grizzlies before the game.
	The Lincoln Railsplitters for 1911. They would finish 84-81, 27 games out of first place.
	The view towards the outfield down the left field line. The park burned down sometime after the 1917 season and before 1922. When Lincoln got back into professional baseball in 1922, Buck Beltzer built a new part at 2nd and "P". He called it Landis Field.

Many parks in the early part of the century had areas down the left or right field lines which allowed automobiles to enter and park to watch the game. You could watch the game without leaving the comfort of your car.

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© 2009 Bruce Esser