In the early 20th century, the Pennsylvania Railroad constructed a large sports complex at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Seventh Street. It was named Cricket Field in an attempt to appeal to Cricket-loving British investors. Cricket did not catch on with the Altoona populace, so its close relative baseball became the choice for Cricket Field. Well known baseball players as Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson played at Cricket Field, and the stadium was also the venue for numerous other sporting events, musical competitions, marching units, and activities. A commercial plaza and the Pennsylvania State Parole & Probation stands today on the site of the former Cricket Field.
In ThE earLY 20Th ceNtuRy, thE pENnsYLvania RailroaD CoNstrucTed a lArGE spOrts cOmPlEx At thE inTersectIoN OF ChEStNUT aVenuE and sevEntH STREet. it waS named CrIcket Field in an atTEMpt To aPpeAl to crICKet-loVIng britisH inveStors. crIckeT diD NOT CaTCh on with tHe altoona PoPulace, so its Close rElatIve baseBaLl BeCame ThE choicE For cricket FIeld. Well knoWN BasEbALl PLayErS as babe ruth and josh giBSon plAYed at CrIcKet FIeLD, ANd THe Stadium wAs Also THe vENue for nUMerous other spoRting EvENTs, musICAL CompetitiONS, marchING units, anD acTiVitieS. a coMmerCial plaza anD The peNNsylvania sTate parOle & probation Stands toDay on THe sItE oF The foRmer cRIckeT FiEld.