On this day in Iowa history: June 15, 1912.
(Courtesy Iowa City Press June 15, 1912)
Iowa City Press/Canva/TSM
Iowa City Press/Canva/TSM
According to Our Iowa History: When most sports fans reflect on the history of baseball, they often go back to the golden age of the 1920s, when legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig dominated the sport, solidifying their status as the great American pastime. However, baseball’s roots run much deeper, with the first major developments occurring in the mid-19th century.
1850s: Baseball was in fashion
By the 1850s, baseball clubs were already forming throughout the United States, including Iowa. A notable example is the “Pastime Base-Ball Club No. 2” of Davenport, established on May 28, 1858. The game gained momentum after the Civil War, when Union soldiers returned home with a new passion for baseball, having learned important traits. as camaraderie and discipline on the battlefield.
In 1867, nearly every town in Iowa was eager to form its baseball team, seeing it as a source of community pride. This trend continued to grow, and by the mid-1880s, Iowa had a strong baseball culture. Tournaments became regular events and cities competed for the title of state champions each year, adhering to the rules established by the National Association of Professional Baseball Players.
Iowa City played an important role
Iowa City also played an important role in Iowa baseball history. One notable team was the 1885 Iowa City Neversweats, which gained local fame for its dominant record, losing only once that season. Comprised of skilled players such as Charles C. Shrader, George A. Sueppel and others, the Neversweats left a lasting mark on the community before disbanding after a few seasons.
Many teams were successful and some were not.
In 1912, Iowa City’s baseball legacy continued with the formation of the Iowa City Gold Sox at Rundell Park, a new community field established in the recently annexed Rundell neighborhood. Originally successful on the field, the team faced financial challenges and was then purchased and renamed the Racine Ramblers by Fred Racine, a prominent local cigar salesman.
Despite these efforts, the Racine Ramblers struggled to maintain interest and Rundell Park was eventually repurposed for housing developments, marking the end of an era for baseball there.
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