What 1912 stadium is this?

[BOB52]

horzverti ~

I realize that by this time next week your Ty Cobb photo will be on it's way to it's new owner and that will be the end of it. However, like all good detectives, I am required to report my findings as new evidence presents itself. In other words, based on some information that came to my attention recently, I now suspect that your photo might have been taken as early as 1910. In support of this new theory of mine, please consider the following ...

1. According to numerous accounts, especially the following New York Times newspaper article, the center field bleachers at Hilltop Park were not available for use by spectators until April of 1911. After opening the link, scroll to .. (All from the Times, click to enlarge), where you can read the entire article for yourself. Use the + that pops up to read.

Link: http://1911athletics.blogspot.com/20...1_archive.html

2. Other sources, including Wikipedia, indicate the center field bleachers were not available until 1912. But irregardless of those other accounts, the New York Times article clearly establishes the correct date as 1911.

3. The very last game ever played at Hilltop Park was in October of 1912.

4. Thus, any and all photos of Hilltop Park that show the center field bleachers have to be from either 1911 or 1912. The center field bleachers did not exist in 1910.

5. Now closely examine the two photographs below.

1st photo ... Clearly shows the center field bleachers in addition to the "Young's Hats" advertisement on the fence. Because of the presence of the bleachers, this photo has to be from either 1911 or 1912.

2nd photo ... Clearly shows what I have confirmed to be the "Wayne Knit Hosiery" advertisment on the fence. However, notice the two buildings on the left and that there are no center field bleachers in front of them. Because of the absence of the the bleachers, this photo has to be from 1910 at the latest. (Are the bleachers not visible because of camera angle? I seriously doubt it! There are at least three more signs to the left of the "Wayne Knit Hosiery" sign. Whereas in the other photo there are only about two signs to the left of the "Young's Hats" sign. Plus, I can't find a single post-1910 photo of the bleachers that doesn't include the buildings behind it).

Please note that my findings are not 100% conclusive just yet, but with a little more research and eximination of other photos, both with and without the bleachers, I believe my new theory can either be confirmed or refuted depending on the evidence presented.

Please don't scalp me for this and know that my only reason for continuing this quandry is because I love doing research, especially when it involves a mystery.

Question: Based on this new evidence, do you think your Ty Cobb photo is 1910 ~ 1911 ~ or 1912? For me it appears they removed the "Wayne Knit Hosiery" sign in 1910 and replaced with the "Young's Hats" sign in 1911 when they built the new bleachers. Thus, at this juncture I honestly believe your Ty Cobb photo was taken in 1910.

Sincerely,

BOB52