The ballpark
The Beardstown Infants played home games at Schmoldt Park. The park is still in use today as a public park with baseball fields. The ballpark was located at North Bay & Wall Streets in Beardstown, Illinois. [14] [15]
| Beardstown Infants | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1909–1910) |
| League | Illinois-Missouri League (1909–1910) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Beardstown Infants (1909–1910) |
| Ballpark | Schmoldt Park (1909–1910) |
The Beardstown Infants were a minor league baseball team based in Beardstown, Illinois. In 1909 and 1910, the Infants played as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League, hosting home games at Schmoldt Park.
In 1909, the Beardstown began hosting minor league play when the Beardstown "Infants" became members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League. [1] Joining Beardstown in the six–team league were the Canton Chinks, Galesburg Boosters, Macomb Potters, Monmouth Browns and Pekin Celestials teams. Pekin and Beardstown were new franchises for the league, replacing the Hannibal Cannibals and Havana Perfectos. [2] [3]
The "Infants" nickname was in reference to the team being a new team and a youthful team. [4]
In their first season of play, the 1909 Beardstown Infants finished as the runner–up in the Illinois–Missouri League. With a regular season record of 77–52, Beardstown placed second in the six–team Illinois–Missouri League standings, playing the season under manager Harry Riggons. [5] Beardstown finished just 1.0 game behind the first place Monmouth Browns in the final league standings. No playoffs were held. [4] [3] Beardstown's Andy Lotshaw led the 1909 Illinois–Missouri League with a .329 average, 146 hits, 14 triples and 72 runs scored. Beardstown notably had three 20–game winners in Merle Spaide (23–9), Cecil Weisenberger (21–14) and C.E. Pettit (20–11). [6] [7] [3]
The 1910 Beardstown Infants returned to play, but the franchise relocated before the end of the Illinois–Missouri League season. [3] When the Class D level Northern Association folded on July 19, 1910, the city of Jacksonville, Illinois was left without a team. The Beardstown Infants filled the vacancy and moved to Jacksonville on July 21, 1910 with a 38–26 record. [8] The Jacksonville Jacks resumed play and the team had an overall record of 44–36 in the Illinois–Missouri League when the franchise folded on August 17, 1910. The Macomb Potters disbanded from the Illinois–Missouri League on the same day. The 1910 Beardstown/Jacksonville managers were Jack Corbett and Pants Rowland. [9] [10]
Manager Jack Corbett is credited with inventing the modern bases with base stems that are now used in baseball. Corbett's name is still incorporated into the logo on major league bases. [11] Pants Rowland later managed the Chicago White Sox to the 1917 World Series Championship. Rowland may have managed the 1910 team only upon relocating to Jacksonville. [12]
The 1910 Beardstown Infants were the last minor league team hosted in Beardstown, Illinois. [13]
The Beardstown Infants played home games at Schmoldt Park. The park is still in use today as a public park with baseball fields. The ballpark was located at North Bay & Wall Streets in Beardstown, Illinois. [14] [15]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909–1910 | 2 | Beardstown Infants | Class D | Illinois-Missouri League | Schmoldt Park |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | 77–52 | 2nd | Harry Riggons | None held |
| 1910 | 44–36 | 5th | Jack Corbett / Pants Rowland | Beardstown (38–26) moved to Jacksonville July 21 Team folded August 17 |
The Illinois–Missouri League was an American minor league baseball league. The Class D league began operations in 1908, and continued through 1914 with teams located in Illinois and Missouri. The Lincoln Abes won consecutive league titles in 1912–1913. Baseball Hall of Fame members Grover Cleveland Alexander and Ray Schalk are league alumni.
The Illinois–Iowa League was a Minor league baseball league which operated in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana from 1890 to 1892.
The Rock Island Islanders was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Island, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, between 1892 and 1937. Rock Island teams played as members of the Illinois–Iowa League (1892), Western Association (1894), Eastern Iowa League (1895), Western Association (1898–1899), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1901–1911), Central Association (1914), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Mississippi Valley League (1922–1933) and Western League (1934–1937).
The Kankakee Kanks were a minor league baseball team located in Kankakee, Illinois. Kankakee teams played a member of the Class D level Northern Association in 1910, playing as the Kankakee "Kays" and the Illinois-Missouri League from 1912 to 1914. The Kankakee teams hosted home minor league games on the grounds of the Kankakee State Hospital.
The Sterling Infants were a minor league baseball team based in Sterling, Illinois. In 1910, the Sterling Infants played as members of the Class D level Northern Association. Previously, the 1890 Sterling Blue Coats were briefly members of the 1890 Illinois-Iowa League. Both teams played a partial season in their leagues and hosted minor league home games at the Sporting Association Grounds.
The Macomb Potters were a minor league baseball franchise based in Macomb, Illinois. From 1908 to 1910, the Potters played exclusively as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League. The Potters hosted exhibition games in Macomb against the Chicago Cubs in both 1909 and 1910, losing both contests.
The Canton Chinks were a minor league baseball team based in Canton, Illinois. From 1908 to 1913, Canton teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League, as the 1912 team played as the "Highlanders." Canton hosted home minor league games at Athletic Park.
The Lincoln Abes were a minor league baseball team based in Lincoln, Illinois. From 1910 to 1914, the Abes played as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League. Lincoln won consecutive league championships in 1912 and 1913 and were in first place when the franchise folded during the 1914 season. The "Abes" nickname corresponded to President Abraham Lincoln, who was the namesake of the city and resided in the area.
The Streator Boosters were a minor league baseball team based in Streator, Illinois. Beginning play as the Streator "Speedboys" in 1912, Streator teams played as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League from 1912 to 1914 and the Bi-State League in 1915, winning the 1915 league championship. Streator hosted minor league home games at Streator City Park.
The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League, known informally as the "MINK" League, was a Class D level minor league baseball league that played from 1910 to 1913. The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League consisted of teams based in the four states, but not always at the same time. The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League permanently folded midway through the 1913 season.
The Freeport Pretzels were a minor league baseball franchise based in Freeport, Illinois. Between 1908 and 1915, Freeport teams played as members of the Wisconsin State League (1905–1907), Wisconsin-Illinois League (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association, 1915 Bi-State League and 1915 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Freeport won the 1907 Wisconsin State League championship and hosted home minor league games at Taylor Park.
The Nebraska City Forresters were a minor league baseball franchise based in Nebraska City, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Nebraska City Forresters played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning the 1912 Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League championship. Nebraska City hosted minor league home games at the 15th Street Ballpark.
The Falls City Colts were a minor league baseball franchise based in Falls City, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Colts played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning the 1910 league championship and placing second in 1911 and 1912. Falls City hosted home minor league games at the Athletic Park.
The Hiawatha Athletics were a minor league baseball team based in Hiawatha, Kansas. In 1912, the Athletics played as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League. The Athletics were immediately precedec in minor league play by the 1910 Hiawatha Indians, who played the season as a member of the short-lived Class D level Eastern Kansas League. Both Hiawatha teams hosted home minor league games at League Park.
The Havana Perfectos were a minor league baseball franchise based in Havana, Illinois. In 1908, the Perfectos played as charter members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League, finishing in third place in their only season of play. Havana hosted minor league home games at Riverside Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Galesburg, Illinois between 1890 and 1914. Galesburg teams played as members of the Central Interstate League and Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Eastern Iowa League in 1895, the Illinois-Missouri League in 1908 and 1909 and the Central Association from 1910 to 1912 and 1914. Galesburg hosted home games at Willard Field, Illinois Field and Lombard College Field.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Jacksonville, Illinois, playing in eight leagues under four nicknames in their seasons of play between 1892 and 1910. Jacksonville teams played as members of the 1892 Illinois–Iowa League, Western Association (1894–1895), 1900 Central League, 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, 1907 Iowa State League, Central Association (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association and 1910 Illinois–Missouri League. Jacksonville teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at League Park.
Minor league baseball franchises were based in Champaign, Illinois and neighboring Urbana, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1914. Champaign and Urbana teams played as members of the Independent level Illinois-Indiana League in 1889 and the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League from 1911 to 1914, winning the 1914 league championship.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Monmouth, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1913. Monmouth teams played as members of the Central Interstate League in 1889, Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Illinois-Missouri League from 1908 to 1909 and Central Association from 1910 to 1913. Monmouth won the 1909 Illinois-Missouri League championship and hosted home games at the 11th Street Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Ottawa, Illinois in various seasons between 1890 and 1915. Ottawa minor league teams played as members of the Illinois-Iowa League in 1890 and 1891, Illinois-Missouri League in 1914 and the Bi-State League in 1915. Ottawa hosted home minor league games at Lincoln–Douglas Park.