Baseballand MSPThe Cincinnati Reds, first known as the Redstockings in 1869, was the first professional baseball team in America. Since its beginnings, the team has played in eight different ballparks in five locations in the city. Throughout its history, MSP was responsible for surveying two of those locations and three of its stadiums: Cincinnati Baseball/League Park and Palace of the Fans: 1884-1911Redland/Crosley Field: 1912-1970Great American Ball Park: 2003-presentAfter losing their lease at the Bank Street Grounds, where Union Terminal is now located, the Reds hired the Joseph Earnshaw Civil Engineering Co. to survey the land for their own ballpark, built in 1884. Called the Cincinnati Baseball/League Park, it was located at the intersection of Western Avenue and Findlay Street in Cincinnati. Its hasty construction led to several building collapses and casualties, ultimately being rebuilt as Palace of the Fans after a fire in 1900.When Redland Field, later named Crosley Field, was built in the same location in 1912, the Thomas B. Punshon Civil Engineering Firm was commissioned to survey the property. This stadium was considered one of the most intimate ballparks in the country, due to its location within the urban residential neighborhood. But by the 1960s, inner-city neighborhoods had deteriorated. Riverfront Stadium on the Ohio River hosted its first game in 1970, following the closing of Crosley Field. The stadium had become antiquated in comparison to newer ballparks around the country by the late 1990s. MSP surveyed both the stadium and Banks project sites before construction began on Great American Ballpark, which opened in 2003.Cincy League Park, year unknown, courtesy OTRMatters.com45