Browning Field

Last updated

Browning Field
Browning Field
Address16th Street and 23rd Avenue
Moline, Illinois
United States
Coordinates 41°29′31″N90°30′42″W / 41.492081°N 90.511776°W / 41.492081; -90.511776
Public transit Bus-logo.svg Quad Cities MetroLINK
OwnerCity of Moline, Illinois
OperatorCity of Moline, Illinois
Capacity 5,600 (1948)
Field size(LF-CF-RF) 550-440-377 (1948)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1910
Built1910-14
Opened1912
Renovated1972
Expanded1920
Tenants
American Football League
Rock Island Independents (1926)
Minor League Baseball
Moline Plowboys (1920-1948)
High School Sports
Moline High School (1912-Present)

Browning Park is a park in Moline, Illinois, United States, located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue. Browning Field has been the home of high school and professional athletic events since 1910. It has hosted athletes such as Babe Ruth and Red Grange.

Contents

Origin and History

John T. Browning (1830–1910) was a lawyer who served as the City of Moline's first City Attorney. He was also a two-term State Assemblyman. In his last year of his life, Browning was planning on erecting a memorial to himself on the farmland that he owned when he was convinced by A. M. Beal, President of the Moline Board of Education, to deed the land to the city for use as an athletic park. On July 14, 1910, he added the codicil to his will, stating that his land were to be "held in trust forever by the City of Moline and dedicated to the public as and for a playground and athletic park, which shall be known and designated as the John T. Browning Park, Playground, and Athletic Field". [1]

The land is deeded to the city of Moline for use as a "playground and athletic park". [1] While the sports teams of Moline High School have been the primary tenants of the field (and the adjoining Wharton Field House), [2] the Rock Island Independents, the only professional American football team to be charter members of two major leagues, called Browning Park its home in the 1920s, as did the minor league baseball Moline Plowboys.

The facility opened on Oct. 5, 1912. Moline High School defeated Maquoketa 34–0 in a football game, the first event at John T. Browning Park. [3]

The next four years saw the creation of an American football/track and field stadium and a baseball field. [1] In the late 1920s, T. F. Wharton, president of the Moline High School boosters' club led the drive toward the sale of bonds, the proceeds of which to pay for the construction of a field house on adjoining land (this was also deeded to the city of Moline upon the retirement of the bonds). [2] Wharton Field House was opened to the public in 1928.

Moline Plowboys History

Moline first gained a minor league franchise in July, 1914 when the Danville Speakers relocated and the Moline Plowboys were established. The "Plowboys" name reflected Moline's agricultural production history. Companies such as John Deere, Moline Plow Company, and Minneapolis-Moline were located in Moline. The Plowboys initially played at Athletic Park, before moving to Browning Field in 1920. The Plowboys won Three-I League Championships at Browning in 1921 and 1937. The franchise was an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (1932), Chicago Cubs (1937–40) and Philadelphia A's(1947–48). From 1920 to 1922, the Plowboys were managed by player-manager Earle Mack, son of legendary Hall of Fame owner/manager Connie Mack. [4] Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Warren Giles, future President of the National League (1951-1969), was President of the Plowboys Franchise from 1919 to 1922. [5]

Browning Field served as the home of the Plowboys from 1920 to 1948. The 5,600 capacity baseball park had dimensions of (LF-CF-RF) 550-440-377. [6] The first night game at the park was July 11, 1930. [7]

Professional Football

In 1926, the Rock Island Independents played at Browning Field. The Independents had been a charter member franchise of the National Football League, playing in the league from 1920 to 1925 against the likes of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cardinals. However, the Independents left the NFL and Douglas Park, moving to Browning Field and playing in the new, but short lived American Football League. On October 3, 1926, the Independents hosted the football New York Yankees and their star player Pro Football Hall of Fame legend Red Grange, losing 26–0 with a home crowd of 5,000. The AFL and the Independents folded after the 1926 season. [3]

Major League Baseball Events

In an exhibition game on April 12, 1920, the Plowboys defeated the Chicago White Sox 7–1 at Browning Field. [6]

On April 14, 1938, the Chicago Cubs Played an exhibition at Browning Field against the Plowboys. [8]

Babe Ruth appeared at Browning Field on June 26, 1940. 2,600 fans showed for a Plowboys exhibition game starring Ruth and to watch Ruth put on a batting practice exhibition. [3] [7]

Notable Plowboys Alumni


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Island Independents</span> American football team in Rock Island, Illinois

The Rock Island Independents were a professional American football team, based in Rock Island, Illinois, from 1907 to 1926. The Independents were a founding National Football League franchise. They hosted what has been retrospectively designated the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920, at Douglas Park. The Independents were founded in 1907 by Demetrius Clements as an independent football club. Hence, the team was named the "Independents."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quad Cities River Bandits</span> American Minor League baseball team

The Quad Cities River Bandits are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Their home games are played at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa, one of the Quad Cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrigley Field (Los Angeles)</span> Former baseball stadium in Los Angeles, California

Wrigley Field was a ballpark in Los Angeles, California. It hosted minor league baseball teams in the region for more than 30 years. It was the home park for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), as well as for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB) during its inaugural season in 1961. The park was designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, who had designed MLB stadiums Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The ballpark was used as the backdrop for Hollywood films about baseball, the 1960 TV series Home Run Derby, jazz festivals, beauty contests, and civil rights rallies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braves Field</span> American baseball park

Braves Field was a baseball park located in Boston, Massachusetts. Today the site is home to Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University. The stadium was home of the Boston Braves of the National League from 1915 to 1952, prior to the Braves' move to Milwaukee in 1953. The stadium hosted the 1936 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and Braves home games during the 1948 World Series. The Boston Red Sox used Braves Field for their home games in the 1915 and 1916 World Series since the stadium had a larger seating capacity than Fenway Park. Braves Field was the site of Babe Ruth's final season, playing for the Braves in 1935. From 1929 to 1932, the Boston Red Sox played select regular season games periodically at Braves Field. On May 1, 1920, Braves Field hosted the longest major league baseball game in history: 26 innings, which eventually ended in a 1–1 tie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Giles</span> Baseball executive (1895–1979)

Warren Crandall Giles was an American professional baseball executive. Giles spent 33 years in high-level posts in Major League Baseball as general manager and club president of the Cincinnati Reds (1937–1951) and president of the National League (1951–1969), and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was a Minor League Baseball organization that operated for the better part of 60 seasons, with teams based in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The league began play in 1901 and disbanded after the 1961 season. It was popularly known as the Three–I League and sometimes as the Three–Eye League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wharton Field House</span>

Wharton Field House is a historic arena located at 1800 20th Avenue in Moline, Illinois. It opened in 1928 and was home to the NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks, today's Atlanta Hawks, from 1946 to 1951. It has hosted professional teams, high school teams, concerts, and other events in its history. The approximately 7,000 seat Field House is adjacent to Browning Field, which has served as a baseball, football and track venue. Today, both Wharton Field House and Browing Field continue to serve as the home for Moline High School athletic teams. In 2004, USA Today named Wharton Field House one of the top places to watch high school basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earle Mack</span> Major League Baseball player and coach

Earle Thaddeus McGillicuddy, known as Earle Mack, was an American player and coach in Major League Baseball, and, during parts of two seasons, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics when his father, Connie Mack, was too ill to manage. He also became a part-owner of the franchise. His nephew Connie Mack III became a U.S. Senator.

The Beaumont Exporters was the predominant name of a minor league baseball team located in Beaumont, Texas that played between 1920 and 1957 in the Texas League and the Big State League. Beaumont rejoined the Class AA Texas League (1983-1986) and evolved into today's Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirby Higbe</span> American baseball player (1915–1985)

Walter Kirby Higbe was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1937 to 1950. Best known for his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was a two-time National League (NL) All-Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1932 Chicago Cubs season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 1932 Chicago Cubs season was the 61st season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 57th in the National League and the 17th at Wrigley Field. The Cubs finished first in the National League with a record of 90–64, four games ahead of the second place Pittsburgh Pirates. The team was swept four games to none by the New York Yankees in the 1932 World Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Park (Rock Island)</span> Public park in Rock Island, Illinois, U.S.

Douglas Park is a public park located at 18th Avenue and 10th Street in Rock Island, Illinois. A former National Football League venue, Douglas Park was the site of the first-ever National Football League game on September 26, 1920. The Rock Island neighborhood that is today called Douglas Park dates back to the 1830s, with the athletic park being constructed in 1904 to 1905 and utilized for football beginning in 1907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moline Plowboys</span> Minor league baseball team

The Moline Plowboys was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Moline, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities. Moline teams played as members the 1892 Illinois-Iowa League, 1894 Western Association, the Mississippi Valley League (1924–1932), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League and Central Association (1947–1948), winning four league championships. The franchise played as the "Moline A's" in 1947–1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Braves</span> American baseball team

The Boston Braves were a Major League Baseball club that originated in Boston, Massachusetts, and played from 1871 to 1952. Afterwards they moved to Milwaukee. Then in 1966 they were relocated to Atlanta, where they were renamed the Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howie Jones</span> American baseball player (1897-1972)

Howie "Cotton" Jones (1897–1972) was an American pinch hitter and left fielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1921.

Bernard Charles Olsen was a center fielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs.

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).

Several different minor league ballclubs have been based in the town of Danville, Illinois, fielding teams in 38 seasons between 1888 and 1982 under various monikers. The Danville Suns (1982), Danville Dodgers (1975–1976), Danville Warriors (1970–1974), Danville Dans (1951–1954), Danville Dodgers (1946–1950), Danville Veterans (1922–1932), Danville Speakers, Danville Old Soldiers (1906), Danville Champions (1900) and Danville Browns were the minor league teams. Danville teams played at Soldiers Home Park (1922–1932) and Danville Stadium (1946–1982).

Fogel Field was a baseball park located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, utilized for spring training games and baseball camps between 1912 and 1952. The site was also known as Fordyce Field and Holder Field. Fogel Field was built in 1912 as a spring training site for Major League Baseball teams. The field was named for Horace Fogel, President of the Philadelphia Phillies. Fogel Field hosted the Phillies (1912) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Kansas City Monarchs (1928), Homestead Grays (1930–1931) and Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932–1935) of Negro league baseball also used Fogel Field as their spring training site.

Minor League Baseball teams were based in Portsmouth, Virginia, in various seasons between 1895 and 1968. Early, Portsmouth teams, called the Portsmouth Truckers, Portsmouth Pirates and Portsmouth Browns were Virginia League members based in Portsmouth, playing between 1895 and 1928. The Portsmouth Cubs were affiliates of the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies, playing in the Class B level Piedmont League from 1935 to 1955. The team became the Portsmouth Merrimacs from 1953 to 1955.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History of Browning Field" (PDF). Moline Boosters Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "The History of Moline High School". www.moline1968.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2002.
  3. 1 2 3 Green, Doug (October 4, 2012). "Moline's Browning Field turns 100" . The Quad-City Times. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ↑ Armour, Mark. "Warren Giles". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Browning Field Minor League History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Emery, Tom (March 25, 2014). "From Giles to Higbe to 'The Natural,' Moline Plowboys entertained for decades" . The Dispatch Argus. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Rock Island Library Lines - October Issue 2". Rock Island Illinois. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.