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As the name suggests, the stadium was originally used for baseball. It was originally called Ley's Baseball Ground an was part of a complex of sports grounds built and owned by businessman Sir Francis Lay for workers at his foundary. The stadium was the focus point of the complex and was part of a personal quest by Lay to introduce baseball to the UK.

Derby County had occassionally used the stadium for their home matches and, with baseball not proving to be a success, made it their permanent home in 1895.

At its height, the Baseball Ground could accommodate around 42,000 spectators (all standing). The record attendance was 41,826 for a match against Tottenham Hotspur in 1969. Later, the stadium was slowly converted to become all-seater and the capacity eventually dropped to 18,300.

Derby County moved to the brand new Pride Park Stadium in 1997. The last league match to be played there was against Arsenal, though the stadium continued to be used for reserve team games for a few seasons afterwards. In 2003, the Baseball Ground was demolished to make way for housing.

The Baseball Ground was once used for an international match. England beat Ireland 2-1 in a British Home Championship match on February 11February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 323 days remaining, 324 in leap years. Events through 1799 660 BC Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu Tenno. 731 Gregory II ends his reign as Pope. 824 Paschal I 19111911 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January-June January 1 Northern Territory is separated from South Australia January 3 In London, a shootout between Russian anarchists and the Scots Guard January 10 Major Jimmi.