Bill Cammeyer

William Henry Cammeyer

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown

• Born March 20, 1821 in New York, NY USA
• Died September 4, 1898 in Brooklyn, NY USA

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Biographical Information

Bill Cammeyer, born in 1821, was a businessman and entrepreneur who "managed" one year in the new National League. He is credited as a pioneer who put a fence around his ballpark so he could charge admission, he built a clubhouse, he graded the diamond, created a very primitive set of stands for fans, and put a saloon inside the fence.

Cammeyer was born in New York City but moved to Williamsburg (near Brooklyn) around age 20. He worked for his father, a leather merchant, and when his father died he took over the business.

In 1861, Cammeyer saw the potential for a ballpark and leased some land, which he turned into a ballfield in the summer and an ice-skating pond in the winter. It became quite successful.

In 1876¸, Cammeyer managed the New York Mutuals, who played on his field. One source claims he was the business manager only, with Bill Craver listed as the manager.

Main sources: Bill Cammeyer obituary and the book The Man in the Dugout: Baseball's Top Managers and How They Got That Way.

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