Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Law Department Baseball Litigation Records, 1932-1977
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Law Dept.
- Title
- Law Department Baseball Litigation Records
- Dates
- 1932-1977 (inclusive)19321977
1964-1977 (bulk)19641977 - Quantity
- 6.4 cubic feet, (7 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 4402-02
- Summary
- Records relating to the Seattle Pilots' short residence in the city, including maintenance files for Sick's Stadium and documents relating to various lawsuits after the team left Seattle.
- Repository
-
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Records are open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Seattle Pilots were the city's first major league baseball team, but were in the city for only one season before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers. The team played in Sick's Stadium, which was a minor league park built in 1938. The stadium had to be extensively renovated to accommodate the team, and construction work continued right up to the first home game on April 11, 1969. Less than two months later, the American League declared the facility to be "inadequate" for a major league team.
Complaints about the stadium, coupled with low attendance and finances in the red, led to threats by the Pilots' owners to leave Seattle. When the state of Washington obtained a temporary injunction to stop the move, the team's parent company, Pacific Northwest Sports Inc., declared bankruptcy. However, Bud Selig had already worked out a deal to buy the team and move them to Wisconsin, a change that the American League approved. The team went to spring training as the Seattle Pilots but were the Milwaukee Brewers by the time the season started - a move so sudden they didn't even have uniforms made in time.
The city, the state, and King County joined together in a lawsuit against the American League in 1970, seeking $32 million in damages. The suit was delayed while the league floated proposals to move various other teams to Seattle, but in 1976 the case finally came to court in Snohomish County. Eventually the league offered to locate another franchise in Seattle in exchange for the plaintiffs dropping the lawsuit. By this time the Kingdome was nearing completion, so a new team would have a suitable home without the headaches of Sick's Stadium. The plaintiffs agreed to this settlement, and the Seattle Mariners debuted in 1977.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The records in this series document the maintenance and renovation of Sick's Stadium, as well as the various lawsuits that ensued when the Pilots left Seattle. There are also a number of files relating to plans to build a new multi-purpose stadium in the city (the Kingdome). One discrete set of materials come from the files of Henry Berg, who was the Maintenance and Construction Supervisor at Seattle Center and was responsible for overseeing the renovation of Sick's Stadium.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[Item and date], Baseball Litigation Records, Record Series 4402-02. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The records are arranged in five categories:
- Henry Berg Files
- Sick's Stadium
- New Multi-Purpose Stadium
- Court Documents
- Other Related Material
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Henry Berg FilesReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium, Sky Hi Equipment / Century Construction |
1969-1970 |
1/2 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium, Sky Hi Equipment / Century Construction |
1969-1970 |
1/3 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium, Venture Construction |
1969 |
1/4 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium, Venture Construction |
1969 |
1/5 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium |
1966-1968 |
1/6 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium, Sky Hi Equipment Co. / Century Construction |
1969 |
1/7 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium Renovation |
1967-1969 |
1/8 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium Trailer |
1969-1971 |
1/9 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium Correspondence |
1966-1969 |
1/10 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium Punch Lists |
1969 |
1/11 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium- Pacific Northwest Sports, Inc. |
1969-1970 |
1/12 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Industrial Electric Field Lighting |
1969 |
1/13 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Renovation |
1967-1970 |
1/14 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Construction |
1969 |
1/15 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Construction Drawings |
1969 |
1/16 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Construction Correspondence |
1969 |
1/17 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Renovation - Plans and Bids |
1967-1968 |
1/18 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Locks |
1970 |
1/19 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Venture Construction |
1969 |
1/20 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Sound System |
1969 |
1/21 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Water Main Installation |
1969-1970 |
1/22 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Fire Stairs |
1969 |
1/23 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Safeway Scaffolding |
1969 |
1/24 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Fence |
1969-1970 |
1/25 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Sound Elevator |
1969 |
1/26 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Guard |
1969-1970 |
1/27 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Maintenance |
1970 |
1/28 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Sound System |
1968-1969 |
1/29 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Coordinating Meetings |
1968-1969 |
1/30 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Electrical Vault |
1969-1970 |
1/31 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Drainage System |
1969-1970 |
1/32 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Scoreboard |
1969 |
1/33 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Fire Protection System |
1969 |
1/34 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Press Box Air Conditioner |
1969 |
1/35 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Sound System |
1969 |
1/36 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Miscellaneous |
1968-1970 |
1/37 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Miscellaneous |
1968-1970 |
2/1 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Miscellaneous |
1968-1970 |
2/2 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Testing Lab Reports |
1969 |
2/3 | Henry Berg Files - Sick's
Stadium - Miscellaneous |
1969-1970 |
Sick's StadiumReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
2/4 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence |
1964 |
2/5 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence |
1965 |
2/6 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence |
1967 |
2/7 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence |
1968 |
2/8 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence |
1968 |
2/9 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (Jan-Mar) |
1969 |
2/10 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (Apr-May) |
1969 |
2/11 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (June) |
1969 |
2/12 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (July-Aug) |
1969 |
2/13 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (Sep-Dec) |
1969 |
2/14 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (Jan-Feb) |
1970 |
2/15 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (Mar-Apr) |
1970 |
2/16 | Sick's Stadium -
Correspondence (May-Jan) |
1970-1971 |
2/17 | Sick's Stadium - Bleacher
Contract |
1969 |
2/18 | Sick's Stadium - Bleacher
Contract |
1969 |
2/19 | Sick's Stadium - Board of
Public Works |
1969 |
2/20 | Sick's Stadium -
Conversion |
1968 |
3/1 | Sick's Stadium - Meeting of
Seattle Center and Seattle Pilots Representatives |
1968 |
3/2 | Sick's Stadium -
Parking |
1969 |
3/3 | Sick's Stadium - Restrooms,
Press Box, Hoistway Contract |
1969 |
3/4 | Sick's Stadium - Seattle
Center/Rental/Lease Issues |
1970 |
3/5 | Sick's Stadium - TV
Platforms |
1969 |
3/6 | Sick's Stadium - TV
Towers/Elevators |
1969 |
3/7 | Sick's Stadium - Work Orders
(Seattle Center) |
1969 |
3/8 | Sick's Stadium -
Miscellaneous |
1968-1969 |
3/9 | Sick's Stadium -
Miscellaneous |
1965-1970 |
3/10 | Sick's Stadium -
Miscellaneous |
1969-1970 |
3/11 | Sick's Stadium -
Miscellaneous |
1971-1972 |
New Multi-Purpose StadiumReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
3/12 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Mayor's Correspondence |
1966 |
3/13 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Mayor's Correspondence |
1967 |
3/14 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Mayor's Correspondence |
1968 |
3/15 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1968 |
3/16 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1969 |
3/17 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1970 |
3/18 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1971 |
3/19 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1972 |
3/20 | New Multi-Purpose
Stadium |
1973 |
3/21 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Forward Thrust |
1968 |
3/22 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Parking |
1968-1972 |
4/1 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
News Clippings |
1968 |
4/2 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Citizen Comment |
1968 |
4/3 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Citizen Comment |
1968 |
4/4 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Parking Study |
1968 |
4/5 | New Multi-Purpose Stadium -
Citizen Participation |
1972 |
Court DocumentsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
4/6 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Correspondence |
1970 |
4/7 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Correspondence |
1970 |
4/8 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Partial Pleadings |
1970-1968 |
4/9 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Pilots Settlement |
1970-1974 |
4/10 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Memos |
1970 |
4/11 | Pacific Northwest Sports Inc.
- Bankruptcy, Extra Pleadings |
1970 |
4/12 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Pleadings |
1970-1972 |
4/13 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Pleadings |
1970-1972 |
4/14 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Briefs |
1970 |
4/15 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Notes and Research |
1970 |
4/16 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Extra Pleadings |
1970 |
4/17 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Correspondence |
1968-1970 |
4/18 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Extra Pleadings |
1970-1972 |
4/19 | City v. Pacific Northwest
Sports Inc. - Miscellaneous |
1967-1972 |
4/20 | State/County/City v. American
League - Paul Anson Deposition and Exhibits |
1973 |
4/21 | State/County/City v. American
League - Edward Heavey Deposition and Exhibits |
1973 |
4/22 | State/County/City v. American
League - Edward J. Johnson Deposition and Exhibits |
1973 |
5/1 | State/County/City v. American
League - Parking and Overtime |
1968-1974 |
5/2 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1970-1976 |
5/3 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1974-1975 |
5/4 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1974-1976 |
5/5 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/6 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1968-1973 |
5/7 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1969-1974 |
5/8 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/9 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/10 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/11 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/12 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/13 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1973-1974 |
5/14 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1974 |
5/15 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1969-1974 |
5/16 | State/County/City v. American
League - Continuance Agreement |
1974-1975 |
5/17 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1975-1977 |
6/1 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1970-1974 |
6/2 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1974-1977 |
6/3 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1974 |
6/4 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1970-1972 |
6/5 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1971 |
6/6 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1971 |
6/7 | State/County/City v. American
League |
1970-1971 |
6/8 | Exhibits - Remodeling and
Renovation |
1969-1970 |
6/9 | Exhibits - Remodeling and
Renovation |
1969-1970 |
6/10 | Exhibits - Remodeling and
Renovation |
1969-1970 |
6/11 | Exhibits - Remodeling and
Renovation |
1969-1970 |
6/12 | Exhibits - Remodeling and
Renovation |
1964-1973 |
6/13 | Exhibits - Appraisal of
Sick's Stadium |
1965-1973 |
6/14 | Exhibits - Mayor
Uhlman |
1970-1976 |
Other Related MaterialReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
6/15 | Newspaper
Clippings |
1969 |
6/16 | Newspaper
Clippings |
1970 |
6/17 | Ordinances, Clerk Files,
Resolutions |
1943-1973 |
7/1 | Ordinances, Clerk Files,
Resolutions |
1932-1969 |
7/2 | Professional Baseball Rules,
Constitution |
1966-1976 |
7/3 | Pilots - Public Statement
(Mayor's Files) |
1970 |
7/4 | Pilots/Major League Baseball
- Mayor's File |
1970 |
7/5 | Pilots - Mayor's
File |
1969-1970 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Sick's Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)
- Baseball--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Kingdome (Seattle, Wash.)
- Litigation--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Stadiums--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Berg, Henry
- Uhlman, Wesley C. (Wesley Carl), 1935-
Corporate Names
- American League of Professional Baseball Clubs
- Pacific Northwest Sports, Inc.
- Seattle Pilots (Baseball team)
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)