A League of their Own: Former Ballparks from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

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Marsh Field was home to local Muskegon baseball teams since its creation in 1916. The field is now an official state of Michigan historic landmark. The original field has been updated, but home plate remains in the same location from when it first hosted minor league games in 1916. The park has served as the home field of Negro League teams prior to integration as well as two teams that belonged to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

2. Smith Field (South High School Field)

South High School Field housed high school football until 1968 when the school was converted into a junior high school. It was home to the Grand Rapids Chicks, a team of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, from 1945 to 1954, with the exception of 1950-1952 when they played at Bigelow Field.

3. Bigelow Field

During World War II, Major League Baseball was diminished due to many players being drafted and enlisting to go to war. This led to the formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Bigelow Field in Wyoming, Michigan, was the home of the AAGPBL's team the Grand Rapids Chicks. It was also the site of a variety of other entertainment and sports exhibitions in its brief history, including midget car racing, hymn sings, circuses, and fireworks displays.

4. Lindstrom Field

The original home of the AAGPBL team, the Kalamazoo Lassies, upon moving from Muskegon in 1950.

5. Bailey Park (John W. Bailey Park)

This ballpark was home to the Battle Creek Belles, an All-American Girls Professional Baseball League team, for the duration of its time in Battle Creek, 1951-1952. Though the stadium no longer stands, its place in John W. Bailey Park places it in a unique baseball history. CO Brown Stadium is now the main baseball stadium in the park and currently is the home of the Battle Creek Bombers.

6. Memorial Park-Fort Wayne Daises

Memorial Park was the location of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League team the Fort Wayne Daises. The Daises played their games at Memorial Park from 1946 to 1954. During the Fort Wayne Daises first season in 1945 they played their games at what is now the North Side High School Field in Fort Wayne, IN. Memorial Park is still being used as a public park in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the baseball field is still in use today.

7. North Side High School Field

North Side High School has been home to education since 1927 and has housed several professional teams, including the Fort Wayne Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the Fort Wayne Pistons of the Basketball Association of America. While the North Side Redskins primarily use their field for high school football now, it held a single season of professional baseball in 1945, when the Daisies were introduced to Fort Wayne.

8. Playland Park (Springbrook Park)

Playland Park was a multipurpose amusement park that appeared in the 1880s to supply entertainment for local residents, including baseball, a dance hall, horseracing, a NASCAR race, and an amusement park.

9. The History Museum, South Bend

The museum opened in 1867, in the St. Joseph County Courthouse, and moved to its current location, a mansion that was constructed in 1896, during the 1990s. The museum holds the national archives for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and focuses on the local history of northern Indiana and South Bend. The History Museum has been previously known as the Northern Indiana Historical Society and the Northern Indiana Center for History.

10. Bendix Field

Bendix Field was a baseball field that hosted several teams in the 1930s and 40s, including the Bendix Brakes and the South Bend Blue Sox.

11. Lanphier Ball Park (Robin Roberts Stadium)

This field has hosted numerous teams over the years including the Springfield Sallies, Browns, Senators, Cardinals, Redbirds, Giants, Sultans, and Capitals. It is currently the home of the Springfield Sliders and the Benedictine University Bulldogs. The stadium was originally constructed in 1925, and had major renovations in 1977. The last renovation of the field was in 2006, and to the stadium was 2001.

12. Peoria Stadium

Peoria Stadium, located in Peoria Illinois, was home of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League team the Peoria Redwings. Established in 1946, the Redwings were the ninth team of twelve to enter the league and were in the league for six of the twelve years it existed. Due to financial struggles, the Redwings dropped out of the league in 1951 and were completely split up by 1954. The stadium itself, now owned by the Peoria School District, is a source of controversy among officials who are debating whether to sell it or continue to use it for local football games.

13. Chicago Colleens-Shewbridge Field (Amos A. Stagg Stadium)

Although now a high school athletic field, in 1948 this field served as the home to the All American Girls Professional Baseball Team, the Chicago Colleens. At that time, the ballpark was known as Shewbridge Field. The This is the location of Shewbridge Field where the Chicago Colleens All American Girls Professional Baseball League team played their games in 1948. The Chicago Colleens played their first season at Shewbridge Field. The remainder of the team's history was spent as a traveling team. Although the Colleens never competed for a championship, they worked to promote the league throughout the United States while providing a credible demonstration that women could play competitive baseball.

14. Beyer Stadium-Home of the Rockford Peaches

The All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was established in 1943 with the Rockford Peaches as one of the four original teams. Beyer Stadium was home to the Peaches from 1943-1954, the same years as the league itself. The stadium's ticket booth has been preserved and continues to stand at this location, as well as a plaque that commemorates both the Rockford Peaches and the AAGPBL.

15. Simmons Field

Simmons Field is a ballpark in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which has historic roots but also continues to be played on today. Opening in 1930, Simmons Field is especially known for being home to the Kenosha Comets from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Currently, the field is home to the Kenosha Kingfish of the Northwood League.

16. Lakefront Stadium

Home of the Kenosha Comets, of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, from 1943 to 1947.

17. Horlick Field

The Horlick Field is a long-standing athletic field established in the early part of the 20th century. The Field was home to numerous teams from different sports over its decades of operation, including baseball and NFL football teams. Notably, beginning in 1943 they were home to the Racine Belles, one of the teams featured in the film A League of Their Own, and part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

18. Borchert Field (Athletic Park)

Borchert Field, once known as Athletic Park, was home to several minor and major league baseball teams, two National Football League teams, and several events throughout its tenure in Milwaukee from 1888 to 1952. The park was demolished in 1952 after the lease to the Milwaukee Brewers expired and they moved to County Stadium. Borchert Park was replaced with a playground until 1963, when I-43’s construction was finished, changing the area that the field once stood on.

19. Nicollet Park

Nicollet Ball Park was located just outside of Minneapolis and was used from 1896 to 1955 by several professional sports teams. Known mostly for being the home of the Minneapolis Millers, the Park also housed several other baseball teams, including the Minneapolis Millerettes of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and held prize fighting events and football games. It was destroyed in 1955 after the Millers moved to Bloomington Park for their 1956 season.

This Tour is a Digital Story Map.

A League of their Own: Former Ballparks from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

Created by Clio Admin on November 28th 2016, 10:11:56 pm.

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Description

This virtual tour (or "bucket list" driving tour for enthusiasts) includes stops at the location where each of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League franchises played their games. The tour includes a stop at the History Museum of South Bend, which holds the archives of the league and artifacts and papers of many of the players, owners, and coaches. Play Ball!

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Baseball History

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A League of their Own: Former Ballparks from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

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