Fields of dreams

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This past fall, Mike Barrett visited a couple of baseball fields and learned a little bit about their history.

Here are a couple he found in southern Indiana.

William “Bill” Jackey Memorial Field

They came and went with the years … and here’s the story.

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One evening, Sandy and I took a ride through the backroads of Washington County and ended up in Hardinsburg.

When we ran across this little baseball park, we stopped and looked around. It was such a cozy little place but did not look like it had been used for Little League for a long time.

As I stood in the outfield looking toward the stands behind home plate of this empty field, I saw thousands of faces — faces that cheered for their little ones, and faces that believed all was good when there was baseball to play.

I saw little boys and girls dreaming of becoming the next big-league superstar. I wonder how many kids played here over the years? I wonder who the first kid was to ever hit a home run here?

When I see a Little League field like this, I think of the innocence of children and the wonderful memories and friendships created here.

”The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Baseball is a mark of time. This field, this game is part of our past.” Terence Mann, “Field of Dreams” (1989)

League Stadium

Recently, we went backroading over in Dubois County and visited League Stadium in Huntingburg.

League Stadium was built in 1895 and is one the coziest old baseball parks in America.

League Stadium was used in the movie “A League of Their Own” as home to the Rockford Peaches. The stadium is still used for baseball and hosts a wooden bat league for pro prospects composed of college baseball players in the summer.

When it was built, it was home to several barnstorming semi-pro baseball teams for decades. If you’re a baseball fan, this is an absolute must-visit.

Mike Barrett is a local resident with an interest in history. His Backroads Indiana columns regularly appear in The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].

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