The grandstand was centered at the corner of 28th and Elliott extending down the left field line to about third base. A nine-foot fence was put up around the park and a grandstand and clubhouse constructed inside the fence.

The plot extended from 28th to 29th Streets between Elliott Avenue and Magazine Street. They leased property on the estate of Dr. At the close of the 1874 season the Olympics directors decided to join the Eagles by erecting Louisville’s second enclosed ballpark. In 1874 they played their games on a commons located at 23rd and Broadway. The strongest nine from the West End (before the Eclipse) was probably the Olympics. It was the part of town looked down upon by the inhabitants of the fine homes in the area near Eagle Park, the first enclosed park built just south of downtown. The area had a strong immigrant flavor with much of the growing population being of Irish or German descent. The West End was a solidly working class part of town extending from downtown to the city limits around 28th Street between Main Street and Broadway.

The West End of Louisville had spawned several clubs in the 1870s. This strong semi-pro squad from the West End of Louisville developed a reputation for being one of the country’s strongest nines as they defeated several National League clubs in exhibitions. The Louisville team largely made up of members of the local Eclipse team. In late 1881 a group of Midwest entrepreneurs decided to challenge the National League and formed the American Association as a competing major league. Following the demise of Louisville’s National League franchise in the gambling scandal of 1877, Louisville was out of the major leagues for four seasons.

Midnight club 3 eclipse