It has been many years since Engel Stadium on East Third Street was the fine home of the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league baseball team. A few old-timers may remember the first game there in 1930.
Now, though, Engel Stadium is being “benched,” and locked, altogether because the aging facility is considered unsafe.
The ballpark was named for Joe Engel, who was a great promoter. He had a knack for attracting opening-day crowds. Remember his “Elephant Hunt,” complete with spear-bearing hunters?
But after the initial hoopla that drew big opening-day crowds, Joe’s Chattanooga Lookouts often quickly faded.
Some of the biggest crowds at Engel Stadium were not attending a baseball game at all. More than 280,000 people showed up in 1953 for a Billy Graham Crusade!