Hunt Field
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
The group gathered for the unveiling of the historic marker in May 2018.
Maryville - Alcoa Twins 1953 by Bob G. Gilbert
Kingsport Times report on the winning game
Batting Roster, 1953
Pitching, 1953
Pete Headrick re-visiting his walk from his childhood home to Hunt Field
Image of Pete Headrick's childhood walk
Backstory and Context
Author-Uploaded Audio
Listen to a narration of this entry's description by Katie Taylor.
Text-to-speech Audio
My grandfather, Wade Headrick, was part owner of the Maryville-Alcoa Twins, a Class C Mountain States League team that won their division championship in 1953. Hunt Field was the Maryville-Alcoa Twins home field. My father, Pete Headrick, would walk from his house in Alcoa, along Pistol Creek, to watch ballgames. He remembers these events being racially integrated: the team was composed of Black and White players and Black and White spectators attended.
From the Daily Times: “During the era of segregation, the Twins had two African-American players, infielder George Giles and outfielder Willie Kirkland. They helped Blount County begin the process of dismantling racial barriers before desegregation court orders and civil right legislation of the 1960s. The Mountain States League disbanded in 1954" (May 8, 2014).
The team relocated to Morristown, TN in 1954. Willie Kirkland went on to play in the Majors.
Sources
Gilbert, Bob. Maryville-Alcoa Twins: 1953. 2013.
Headrick, Pete. Interview. 2019.
https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/maryville-alcoa-twins-historic-marker-unveiled/article_dd96233a-9a03-59c0-978a-9de109818f2c.html
Book on the year of their team's championship
https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-may-30-1954-p-25/
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=99776896
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=99776896
Interview with Pete Headrick
Interview with Pete Headrick