Baseball Origin? In Pittsfield?

If you're a big baseball fan (like me), then you might have heard of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  Several years ago, a document was discovered in the town that have helped it stake a claim as the birthplace of baseball.  Apparently, the document was dated 1791, which would put it well ahead of the more popular myth that Abner Doubleday wrote the rules for baseball in Cooperstown, NY in 1839.  Other cities like New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey also claim to be the city of baseball's origin, but the history of baseball remains clouded with influence from England and variations of the sport.

Nevertheless, while driving through the scenic Berkshire Hills up to Vermont, we passed through Pittsfield, and I was hopeful we would find some type of historical plaque or monument devoted to its baseball claim.  While Pittsfield is the largest city in the county, the downtown area is not too big, so we quickly found Wahconah Park, located among a few local businesses in town.  The ballpark was built in the early 1900s and has been the home of a variety of minor league and independent league baseball teams.