Evansville instance, M cD onald, Jr. As a result, cruited for the area, its Bosse Field remains a tes Evas 1920 Madriaga the city became embroiled accommodation at the old tament to a different age, a team, which reports Co in acrimonious debate over stadium would totally dis time before the modern, cir finished in lumbia Pic whether such a team be rupt the field’s already full cular, all-purpose stadiums. second place, a half tures cooper longed in the commu schedule. Better that an Evansville’s stadium serves game out, in ated greatly nity, and if so, should it be entirely different site be as a relic of a bygone era the eight- in schedul boused at Bosse Field. found for a minor league that recognized the inti team Three-I in g m o v ie Die-hard baseball fans, team, rather than cheat macy between fans and play League. production generally supported by local youths out of the opportuni ers, when ballparks were around the sports columnists, opined ty of playing in the inspir built so devotees could near ballpark’s hectic baseball that minor league ball would ing ballpark. ly reach out and touch their schedule. be an economic boon to the Since Margenau has now heroes. Bosse Field still Thanks to improvements community and that the gone elsewhere with his stands, dwelling place for made by Friends of Bosse city’s grand old ballpark offers and no other minor ghosts of yesteryear, even as Field, the stadium now should rightfully be re league prospects are in it listens to today’s chatter serves more than 1,500 turned to her tradition as sight, the issue is currently of happy youths playing in youths per year and is home home to m inor league play. at rest. Whether the debate their field of dreams. to more than 180 ball games That such a wonderful struc- will rise again remains to annually, featuring teams ture should spend its re be seen. Caroline Nellis is an Evansville from the University of maining years as solely a For now, Bosse Field holds native who enjoys writing about Evansville, seven local high site for youth baseball was the honor of being the fifth- her hometown. schools, American Legion, deemed a disgrace by this oldest American stadium still Colt League, Junior Ameri community faction. in existence. Of those older, FOR FURTHER READING can Legion, and a high An opposing group, led by only Tiger Stadium (con Einstein, Charles, ed. The Fireside school instructional league. the mayor, contended that structed in 1912) in Detroit, Hook of Baseball. 4th ed. New York: Community attention fo Evansville’s prior record Fenway Park (1912) in Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1987. cused on Bosse Field by the proves the community is Boston, and Wrigley Field Honig, Donald. Baseball America: The Heroes of the Game and the filming of A League helped unwilling to support minor (1914) in Chicago continue Times of Their Glory. New York: to fuel a controversy that league ball. To pursue such a to be used regularly for base Macmillan Publishing Co., erupted over the facility ear team, said this faction, would ball. The crumbling Rick- Inc., 1985. lier this year. In January, prove a wasted effort. wood Stadium, a former Obojski, Robert. Rush League: A minor league team owner A third opinion, expressed minor league park in Bir History of Minor league Baseball. New York: Macmillan Publishing Eric Margenau’s overtures by Madriaga and some mem mingham, Alabama, is used Co., Inc., 1975. for returning minor league bers of Friends of Bosse strictly for high school foot Rothaus, James R. Chicago Cubs. baseball to Evansville were Field, held that if a minor ball games and an occasional [Mankato, Minn.]: Creative rebuffed by Mayor Frank league club should be re youth league baseball game. Education, 1987.
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