Alcatraz Recreation Yard

The Stockade was built in 1912 on the northwest of the cell-house by the military. This large exercise yard has a cemented surface surrounded by high walls of reinforced concrete.

As you can see the yard has a Baseball diamond. Baseball has been a long time stable of the Island. Back then it was a big deal. Tuesday the 4th of October, During the world series of 1955. Convicts got this day off to lesson to this magical game along with the 62,485 fans in Yankee Stadium at the time.

Many inmates played softball during there time outside. Soft ball teams only had six-man teams, there was only one out fielder. There was some rules if the ball went over the right field wall it was an automatic out. If it went over the center field wall it was a home run. If it went on the roof of the cell house it was good for two bases. There were no team uniforms, but gloves, bats, and balls were provided to play with.

They had four minor league named: Bees, Oaks, Oilers, and Seals. They also had four major league named: Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, and Tigers.

Inmates only got 2 1/2 hours each day during the weekend to spend time out in the yard.

As you can see there is horseshoe pits that a few inmates used to play horseshoes.

The large concrete step retaining wall built in 1936, was used by the inmate for sitting, and as a table for playing games.

Around the top of the walls is a concrete walkway for the guards. You notice exposure from the salt air have put its toll on the wall walk way, and the two guard shelters.

In a far corner of the yard you see an exit door that leads to a steep set of steps. At the bottom there is a small concrete building built in 1934. The small building housed a metal detector that prisoners passed through everyday on their way to the industrial area, and then back to cells.

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