History of Baseball in Goodland

Baseball in its modern form evolved in 1845, from games the colonists brought to the shores of the New World in the 1600’s.  Many tales have been told with Abner Doubleday as the inventor of the game, never proved or unproven, but the first established baseball team consisted of 28 young men from New York City who formed the New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club.

The gentlemen were all well to do, and included a physician, Daniel Lucas “Doc” Adams, who drew up the rules that started baseball on the path to the game we know today.

Rousing games have been played since the days of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and during the Civil War, letters home from both ‘sides’ mentioned games played to ease the stress of the battles.

When Sherman County began to attract settlers, it is a certainty that as soon as there were enough men to form sides, a game was played on the first nice Sunday afternoon.

At the turn of the Century, baseball came into its own, and most rural towns had at least one team to join with other communities to form a league.  Sherman County is a prime example, a significant amount of coverage appears in Volume III of the Sherman County & Family History three volume set.

The teams were formed by the local men, with some families large enough to form their own teams, brothers and male cousins enthusiastic in their participation.

The games allowed the men relaxing time away from the stock and the field, and served as social occasions for the families and other spectators that looked forward to the Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

The teams not only supplied their communities with weekly entertainment, but the pride generated by the various teams elevated the spirits and brought neighbors and communities closer in the friendly but fierce competition.

In 1908, Goodland fielded its first uniformed team with local players: Carl Dillon, Speck Germann, Heavy Kempton, Bill Harrington, Arthur Stewart, Tom Power, Roy Kanouse, Ed Harrington, Slim McMillan, and managed by Jim Baindridge.

The team in 1916 was christened “The Cowboys” in honor of one Jim Jones.  Jim was a genuine article, and the Sponsor Fred Dawson offered $100 to the owner of the horse Jim couldn’t ride.  Fred kept his money.  Fred recruited most of his players from the railroad, employees, and many of these men went on to play in the major leagues.

Goodland’s teams played on a regulation field just east of the Court House, now the location of Gulick Park.  Games were played in the surrounding states of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.

Population expansion and interest in baseball soon allowed for more than one team in a town, and the past time grew throughout the area.  Games were played at least once a week, and few residents missed the chance to go.  One couple were married early one afternoon, and the groom played in the County League game later that day.

One team, The Lucky Tigers, ran for 12 consecutive years, a record for the State of Kansas.  Eight brothers from the Fixsen family all played on the team, and over that span of time, hundreds of boys were coached in the game.

By 1924, the diamonds that had blossomed in various vacant lots were equipped with backstops of tall poles and chicken wire.  Teams owned mitts, balls and bats, but uniforms were not required.  Photos of the early teams show matching shirts and ball caps until the late 30’s when uniforms have been furnished by sponsoring firms and individuals.

Teams of the era were The North Beaver in 1908, one of the first. Individuals also sponsored early teams all over the county.  The Elliott family from Edson; the Hardings from Goodland; Herb Shimeall from the bank in Kanorado sponsored teams each summer.  Some teams were named for the Township where the players lived.

Sherman County not only held intramural games, but competed with Atwood, Oberlin, Herndon, Leudel, Norton, and Bird City.  In 1939, a new league was formed and became the Sherman County Baseball League, with a constitution and by-laws.   Teams in the new league were County Line, The Lucky Tigers, All Stars, Smoky Garden Ramblers, Edson, Kanorado, Beaver Gardens, Goodland Cub, Ruleton, KWGB(the local Radio Station) and Taggers.

Strict rules governed the league, with officers and representatives from each team.  Each team paid a $5 fee in good faith to insure participation during the season.  After the season, the fee was returned to teams that fulfilled the obligation.  A forfeit cost the team $2.50, and each protest filed cost the team $1.   The $1 fee was returned if the protest was granted.  Umpires were approved by the President of the League, and games were governed by the current issue of “A.G. Spaulding Bros. Official Baseball Guide”.

Because of the County League status, no player could be paid by any club or the club would lose its deposit, and be barred from this or any other league.  The players on all the teams played for the honor of the teams and some who went on to the Major Leagues were: Lenny Green, Ernie Houser, and Carroll Hardy, as well as Paul Distefano, Ollie Leiker, Jack Labonde and Paul Civeray who all played for the Goodland Tigers.

Neighborhoods had their own ball diamonds for practice and a diamond for league play was located between 8th and 9th Streets and Grand and Sherman Streets.   In 1938/39, a field was laid out and bleachers and later a press box were built in the southeast corner of the block where Steever Park was located.  Lights were installed, and the serious players and fans could enjoy games any or every summer night.

League games were played at the new lighted facility until the beginning of World War II.

In 1946 the Sherman County League resumed play, but with changes in names and places of the teams.  The County League continued to play and entertain fans with no fewer than eight teams competing at one time.

In 1949, the Goodland Tigers, sponsored by Herb Shimeall, joined the National Baseball Congress(NBC), a semi-professional league, and began paying players to come to Goodland and play. Several local players continued to play for the Tigers at $5 per game, usually playing four games a week.

Word passed among the baseball network and players from out of state, many from Colorado, came to Goodland to play.  One of the first was Jack Labonde,(Tigers 1951-53) who was playing for CSC in Greeley.  He and several others would fly into Goodland in time to make the 8 PM games.  Enter upon the scene, the irrepressible Billy Martin.  Billy was the MVP in the 1953 World Series, and after receiving one deferment, was drafted into the US Army, and stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.   Herb Shimeall, upon hearing Billy was close by, drove to meet with him and recruit him for the Goodland Tigers, as Player/Manager.  Billy agreed to play for the 1954-55 season, bringing other players with him when he came to play.

The Tigers had been very successful since joining the NBC, but with Martin as Coach and playing several positions and even pitching, the Tigers won the Colorado State Tournament and were Third in the National Tournament in Wichita in 1954.  In 1955, the Martin led Tigers had another great run, but had to settle for runners-up in the Kansas State Tournament.  Martin returned to the Yankees in 1955, and after a few more years, interest began to wane, players retired, and Goodland and Sherman County passed the torch to the Little Leagues.

One of the more entertaining aspects of the Baseball History in Goodland were the “Barnstorming” teams who would tour the country challenging the local teams.  One such team that played in Goodland was the Kansas City Monarchs, an African-American team, featuring the famous Satchel Paige.  These Barnstorming teams also prepared players for places in Major League History.

In June of 1999, the High Plains Museum in Goodland opened an exhibit called “Goodland Baseball in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Through the efforts of a summer Intern, Holly Wright, research was able to collect articles, photos, and artifacts from the era.  From this exhibit, the idea of a reunion for the former players was born.  The efforts of Judy Siruta, from the Visitors Bureau, Natalie Shimeall Austin, Linda Holton and many other volunteers with the aid of Jim Erfurdt, a former player and Historian of the League, the celebration was scheduled for August 15, 1999 and over 100 invitations mailed.

The response from the players and the community was phenomenal, with over 70 players in attendance and some 200 guests from all over the country.  Registration began at the Museum to view the exhibit, and the reception for the players was held at Elks Lodge #1528 in Goodland.  Hosts for the reception were the Goodland American Legion Baseball Team and Scout Troop 142.

Players reminisced with teammates they hadn’t seen in forty years, and their families remembered the great times when baseball was #1 in their lives.

Tim Edwards, a member of the Goodland Tigers, 1946-48, wrote: “What great years they were for those of us who had the opportunity to enjoy them.  In [the 30’s and 40’s] there wasn’t much money...but by using a small amount of money and a lot of work and cooperation we had something for all to enjoy and remember for a lifetime.  I have a grand time remembering the Sherman County Baseball League”.

Note* The information in this bulletin was written by Travis Daise, as a Scholarly Project in September, 1999.  The Sherman County Historical Society wishes to express its gratitude for his permission to re-print his work for the benefit of its members.