Harmon Field A fond memory of my youth was going to Harmon Field with my Dad to watch the fast-pitch softball games. To a young boy, watching Woody Hodges launch one up on Newton Terrace was something to behold. So many memories come back when I start thinking about the original players back in the 1950’s and how I came to know them as real human beings later in life when I grew up. The crazy motion of Johnnie Crockett pitching is surely one of my more vivid memories.
Harmon Field was first located on Carroll St. near where Camden Ave. starts. It was on a piece of land purchased in 1925 by an Ohio philanthropist named William E. Harmon. Mr. Harmon had made his fortune in real estate and gave plots of land all over the United States for the express purpose of building playgrounds. He started this in his native Ohio in 1912 and continued to do so until his death in 1928, at which time his wife continued the practice until her death in 1948.
The original plot of land remained a vacant lot throughout the 20’s and 30’s because of the Depression and other projects which took precedence. The building of the City Park was one of these projects. With the persistence of Don Bowden, all efforts were made after the war to see that a ball field was built. With the financial aid and efforts of many local businessmen, Mr. Bowden saw his dream come true. Local contractors graded and compacted the ground for a baseball diamond and furnished materials to set up fences, temporary bleachers, a make-shift concession stand and other basic needs for a playground.
Thus began the first era of Harmon Field softball. By the 1950’s, they had erected lights for night games, a wide array of playground equipment for the youngsters and a masonry building behind home plate for the umpires and a concession stand.
When the Health Department needed more space as it outgrew the Watson Memorial Building, the Harmon Field site was deemed perfect for the new facility as it was near the hospital. This presented a problem as the deed from the Harmon Foundation specifically stated it was to be used for recreation and nothing else. Of course this was 1965 and the Harmon Foundation was a distant memory. The county attorney finally tracked down the surviving daughter-in-law of one of the Harmon sons in Paris, France. Working through the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, the county attorney agreed to pay her a substantial amount to get her to agree to use the land for anything but playgrounds. The new Harmon Field was to be next to the YMCA on Churchill Ave. near the Elks golf course.
The Golden Age of the new Harmon Field had to be around the mid-1970’s when Jack’s ruled the softball world. That was the last of fast-pitch softball around here and it was something to watch. The tournaments drew from the best of the East Coast and lasted from Friday night until Sunday, when the finals were held. They were definitely something to watch.
Thanks once again George, for a journey into the past and the memories it brought back for us. When our first daughter, Debbie was due, I had been to the hospital and was told she would not arrive that night so I went next door to Harmon field and watched the ballgame after witch I decided to check back at the hospital. I was told, "the next baby through that door is yours". That was in 1956.
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about the field on South Park Dr?
ReplyDeleteremember playing softball there.
ReplyDeletealso fast pitch seeing john albert ennis and the"hut"s team i believe. they were good.
No, Harmon Field is on Churchhill Ave. right across the street from the eighth hole of the Elks Gold Club and behind the YMCA.
ReplyDeletePlayed many games at the original Harmon Field in the late 40's and early 50's. There were several talented players including Kemp Malone, Woody Hodges, Tommy Wescott,and others too numerous to mention. EL
ReplyDeleteI played my first game at the old field I believe at the age of 14. I played for Pepsi at 3rd base. Then I played many fast pitch and modified at the new Harmon field. I believe the location change must have been around 1960. Other names of interest were Chubby Jones, Teddy Evans, Gene Corbitt, Bill Gordy(Baker Bill), Cliff Brittingham, Cliff Holloway. John Riggin, Delmar.
ReplyDeleteShame that philanthropists' legacies like that get tossed in the trash.
ReplyDeleteI played fastpitch at the old Harmon Field back in the 60's. The stands were packed every night. Some of the guys are still playing modified at the Redman Field in Fruitland.
ReplyDeleteInteresting analogy -- now Pollitt is trying to get the County Attorney to kill the ban on booze at the Civic Center that was a condition of the porperty gift to the County.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Camden Avenue near St Francis School and spent many an early evening at Harmon Field in the late 1950's. Don Bowden had a concession stand where you could get cherry snowballs, cokes, candy and stuff. They would pay 5 cents for the return of a foul ball; as many as 20 kids would go charging after balls every night-sometimes right on to Carroll Street! Great memories, thanks George!
ReplyDeleteNice look back, but one correction. Woody Hodge must of been one helluva batter to hit a ball to Newton Terrace. I think George mean's Locust Terrace.
ReplyDeleteNewton Street would be a stretch, but Newton Terrace is really out of bounds!