Name ______Date ______The Monroe Monarchs

The Monroe Monarchs were a professional baseball team based in Monroe, Louisiana, which played in the Negro leagues from the late 1920s to 1935, mostly as a minor league team loosely associated with the Kansas City Monarchs.[1] The team was created by Fred Stovall, a Texan oil drilling millionaire, who later financed the Negro Southern League. In the 1930s, a time of acute segregation, the team's games were watched by crowds of black and white people, alike. The most famous player with the team was Hall of Famer Hilton Smith.

When the team first formed it played in the semi-pro Dixie League until Stovall formed the Negro Southern League, with four other teams in 1932. The NSL is considered a de facto major league that year, since it was the only organized league to complete the 1932 season. The Monarchs finished with a 26-22 record in their only season they were considered a major league team, and did not qualify for any post-season play-off.

The team played in Casino Park in Monroe, at what became 29th and Hope. It was 360 feet (110 metres) in left, 450 feet (138 metres) in center and 330 feet (102 metres) in right. Built on Stovall's plantation, the park and its associated recreational facilities (including a swimming pool and a dance pavilion) were considered some of the finest in the league.

Stovall accommodated the players in houses on his plantation, provided a cook to prepare their meals, and bought three brand-new Ford cars in 1932 for the team's travel.

The team disbanded soon after 1935 and in 1937 Casino Park was leased to a local white team—Monroe Twins who became the Monroe White Sox in 1938—who played in the Cotton States League.

WORD PLAY One of these baseball words is hidden in each sentence: Base, bat, ball, run, hit, tag, win, home, out, catcher. Circle each answer. 1. The plants grew in the greenhouse. 2. The teacher said, “Get with it John!” 3. Steve asked, “Do I have to hear that again?” 4. The coach yelled. “Great catch, Ernie!” 5. Mr. Johnson wanted a fish omelet for breakfast. 6. The caribou tried to hide from the lion. Activity Create a personal card similar to baseball 7. The player was penalized for unnecessary trading cards. Include a drawing of yourself on roughness. one side with your name and the team you play for. On the reverse side, include such 8. Reba sent her friend a letter. information as height, weight, eye color, hair 9. Kimbal left the party early. color, throwing hand and any other statistics you chose such as hobbies, favorite foods, games, 10. Take that tuba to the band room, please. TV shows, movies, etc. Draw on the other side of this sheet.

Name______Date ______The Monroe Monarchs

Directions: Create a personal card similar to baseball trading cards. Include a drawing of yourself on one side with your name and the team you play for. On the reverse side, include such information as height, weight, eye color, hair color, throwing hand and any other statistics you chose such as hobbies, favorite foods, games, TV shows, movies, etc