The Baseball Ground was home to Derby County for 102 years.
Originally built by local steel foundry owner, Francis Ley, as a home for Derby Baseball Club. His failed attempt to create a lasting baseball league may have ultimately failed but the name endured until the club moved to Pride Park for the 1997/98 season.
The stadium consisted of a two-tiered stand with a narrow lower tier and a large upper tier on one side. This was the side that contained the player’s entrance.
On the opposite side, was a similar stand with two tiers. The upper tier was all seated and the lower tier was a terrace, known as the Popside and this was where the more vocal Derby fans congregated.
To the right of the Popside was the Osmaston End, which again, was a two-tier stand with seats above and a terrace below. This was the stand used for away fans.
The opposite end was the Normanton End, another two-tiers but this time all seated.
The record attendance at the Baseball Ground occurred on the 20th Sep 1969. The home fans there that day amongst a crowd of 41,826 witnessed a superb 5-0 win for Derby County.
The last for Derby County’s first team at the Baseball Ground resulted in a 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on the 11th of May 1997.
The club continued to use the ground for its youth and reserve team fixtures for a while after its closure to first-team games.
The Baseball Ground was eventually demolished in 2003.