BARNSTORMING AND TOURNAMENT BALL

Baseball fans will recognize the names of the Memphis Red Sox, Kansas City Monarchs, Harlem Globetrotters, Indianapolis Clowns and House of David. They may not be as familiar with the names Omaha Rockets, Muskogee Cardinals, San Francisco Sea Lions, Brooklyn Cuban Giants, New Orleans Creoles, Ethiopian Clowns, Havana La Paiomas, Chicago Brown Bombers, New York Harlem Black Yankees, Twin City Gophers, Cincinnati Crescents, California Mohawks and Jacksonville Eagles to name a few. These were all teams that went barnstorming across the United States and Canada in the 1930s, 40s and early 50s.

Games were held in places like Walla Walla, Washington; Boe Bells, North Dakota; Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and Sceptre Saskatchewan. They are all hard to find on the map, along with many other small towns that dot the American and Canadian landscape.

These barnstorming teams would play the local teams or a team from a league close by for a split of the gate receipts. Many a weekend was spent playing in tournaments. The average tournament prize was $1500, some as high as $4000. These tournaments at times would be held in conjunction with the local country fair that would feature rodeo events, fire works and a barn dance. The tournaments were always wel1 attended and a money maker for the local community. The June 8, 1950 Lacombe Globe (Alberta) stated that the ladies of the town and district were planning to set up four eating areas on the baseball grounds. Here is a partial list of what was ordered: potatoes 1500 Ibs., cold meats 1100 Ibs., tomatoes 300 Ibs. and parkerhouse rolls 6000

In 1949 a record crowd of 16,000 attended the two-day tournament in Indian Head Saskatchewan. They had 209 local people working at the event. Being a farming community you can bet there wasn't much work done that weekend.

The legendary Satchel Paige was baseball's most recognizable barnstormer. At times he would hire himself out to any team that would pay him the most money and he was well paid for his efforts. The Winnipeg Tribune newspaper reported that in 1935 in Winnipeg, Canada, Paige hooked up in a pitching dual with Chet Brewer. After 9 innings the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Paige struck out 17 and Brewer had 13.

Other players were used as drawing cards. Negro Leaguer Toni Stone was billed as "the girl player" and was the star attraction for the New Orleans Creoles. In 1 947 Bert Shepard pitched for Williston, North Dakota, in the first tournament held in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Shepard had lost a leg in the war and on August 5. 1945, he would pitch in one game for thc Washington Senators against the Boston Braves. In that game he allowed 3 hits, had 2 strikeouts, walked 3 in 5 and 1/3 innings. For Williston in that tournament, Shepard would pitch a 3 hitter and lose 1-0 to the Ligon Coloured All Stars. Not bad for a player with one good leg.

In 1933, with his big league career over the great Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched and barnstormed with the House of David.

After being banned from baseball. Happy Felsch and Swede Risberg played in a tournament in Saskatchewan with Scobey Montana. The rosters of these tournament teams featured many great players with Negro League experience.

The California Mohawks were a team made up with some of the best college players of that time. For those teams, travel was a grind and you can bet they weren't staying in the best hotels. The players had to have a special love for the game. Barnstorming and tournament play holds a rich history that young fans of today will probably not see in their lifetime.