Crowd in stadium stands behind flag bunting, men and women

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Packed into the stands behind a row of flag bunting, this crowd of men and women gives a sense of how large and mixed baseball audiences had become by the early twentieth century. Ballparks of that era often hung bunting along the grandstand rails for opening days, holidays and special games, so the flags suggest a festive occasion rather than an ordinary afternoon. Look closely at the faces and clothing: women in hats and men in straw boats or dark suits show how the game drew families and office workers alike. Because the record gives few specifics, the picture is best read as a window onto the spectator culture of its time.

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