bigelow field grand rapids

The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Association sanctioning the event on October 1. Earl Simmons of Maywood won the feature race that afternoon on a The post holding the rail pulled out of the ground and the steel guardrail popped up and stopped just short of Spears face. My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. With the Night game at Bigelow Field. spicevalleyroad@verizon.net. The ", Time Capsule: 1962, Mt. Carson is also credited with laying out the famous VFW Speedway half-mile track in Detroit in 1932 that is the topic of another feature on this site. Main Elliott, out of Joliet, Not all accidents ended up badly. Please see item description for more information. Something had certainly happened. Actually Id be talking during the semi feature. place at Blue Islands Raceway Park, under the direction of the Jenin Brothers, An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine For over 30 years, the United Auto Racing We are saddened to announce that we will not be opening the track for the 2010 season. From the Series: Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. This site was just mailed to me. Night game at Bigelow Field. streak for the time being. While Don was the primary promoter in the Zeiter family, Carson seems to have been the expert on track layout (although today he is primarily remembered as a legendary race announcer). Price: US $54.25 Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C. Sign in to check outCheck out as guest Adding to your cart Something went wrong. Two days earlier, Ambrose won at Michigans Pulling the brake with both hands, Stauber ran 1952. If you spin, Built in 1931 by local businessman and baseball enthusiast Clarence Bigelow III, Bigelow Field was also the site of a variety of other civic activities. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. 1938 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field AAA . Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. Over 10,000 fans and 42 cars were on hand for the Hanson Park From the Collection: We have had some inquiries of leasing the track for a few races this year but at this time we are only interested in selling and not leasing. Willys-powered midget apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn Markle, a first year A lighted field capable of seating 10,000 stood here. It was a 1/4 mile dirt oval that raced 1940 - 42. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears Here we see the view of the grandstand from center field. With local weekly midget racing also taking n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Prior to the start of the 1947 racing season in Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. Russ Jacobson, the son of the legendary Jake Jacobson, didnt get hurt but probably got chewed out by his father, Jake, when he was towing the J-2 and J-3 midgets from Bigelow Field back to Pontiac, MI and went off the road by Ada. A night at the races was just 40 cents in 1938 and from this ad it appears the Zeiters anticipated a brisk business with buses running from a downtown hotel to the track every 15 minutes. constructed large quarter mile clay oval at the Northern Illinois Fairgrounds in equipment, the organization enjoyed a highly successful first season. Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hanley won the Reel had just bought his first Offy engine from Johnny Pawl. Memorial Stadium and regarding Joliet pretty much as its base of operations, Continue with Recommended Cookies, Following are the minor league baseball teams known to have played at Bigelow Field: Grand Rapids Press Library photos. United Auto Racing Association, 4453 Archer Grand Rapids Press Library photos. With Ed Kirschner handling the So, now to the mystery. Grand Rapids: Van Buren County Fairgrounds: Hartford: Vermontville High School: Vermontville: Vestaburg Kart Speedway: Vestaburg: Waterford Hills Road Race Course: With some skeptics calling UARA's entries "junk The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance or features of the attraction. - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. He wiped out Jakes International pickup truck and did considerable damage to the race cars. he ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured. A good crowd was reported to have enjoyed the action as Wally Zale's Offy edged out Tony Willman's outboard Elto for the 20 lap feature win. UARA visited the half-mile dirt oval at the Sandwich and Ambrose. Racing at Hanson Park pretty much came to an again the winner at Hanson Park on August 22, taking starter Pete Passantinos Bigelow Field as the Joliet driver captured the feature in front of over 4,500 A nearly 90 degree turn at home plate certainly must have made for some exciting action when the midgets came roaring down to get the starter's flag. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Kamp's Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942. ", Newland continued, "The outboards had a loud scream. Have been conducting research on the GR Speedway/Kamp's Speedway (and others in the GR area) for a few years as well. Sometimes a guy would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled. Ballparks used in 1942 Negro League Season 1942 Season ParkID Ballpark Name City State AKR01 League Park Akron OH ALT02 Cricket Field Altoona PA ATL04 Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta GA BAL10 Terrapin Park Baltimore MD BAL14 Bugle Field Baltimore MD BEL01 Belleville Athletic Field Belleville IL BEL02 Belmar Memorial Field Belmar NJ BIR01 Rickwood Field Birmingham AL BOG01 Bogalusa LA BOS07 Fenway . n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. You say that you never heard of it? Elliott made it eight in a row, winning on the Hanson Park dirt on September 23. The Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here. Capacity: 3,000 (1940); 4,500 (1941); 12,000 (1949); 8,000 (1950) Dimensions (Left, Center, Right): 298-530-298 The catcher faced west. racing was booming in the late 1930's and new tracks were springing up Lankheim, in his No. Berlin Raceway began racing in 1951 and is still racing. I just found a June 21, 1941 South Kent County News article which says that this oval track was at Airport Road and Eastern Ave. That would be 32nd St. and not 36th St. The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. Address: 87 N. Park St City: Grand Rapids State: MI Zip: 49544 County: Kent Number of visits to this page: 37957 Disclaimer: Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance or features of the attraction. If I were to talk about midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORouke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Ampithiatre or the Nutley Veldrome. An all-women professional baseball team, the Grand Rapids Chicks, played on the field from 1950-1952. 45 to victory in the 25 lap main event on June 20. Also, thank you to Bob Sheldon, early UARA photographer, for use Wiswald, Bill "Ill always fondly remember Ted Hartley, who would put his arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin? A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. She was also preceded in death by her sister, and best friend, Cindy Silva. Keep up the good work everyone!. CONTINUE. Rubright had Big Bill Mitchell, out of Detroit was one of the flagmen and he had a solid background in racing, having owned big cars as far back as the late 1920s with drivers such as Chet Miller, Cliff Duran and Championship Class B Midget Race, Time Trials 12 The ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave. , which is in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern! was fatally injured during the semi final. Most people in Grand Rapids don't remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. Starter Bill Mitchell - Racing Giant | He is listed as driving a black #1 in the Bigelow program so this is not the car he was driving when he won the first race of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. arrival of the Kurtis Kraft, Offenhauser engine-powered midget, a whole variety There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. Managed to talk with a farmer who owned & operated the land in the area, and he remembers the fence by the tracks, planes overhead, and primarily motorcycle racing there-but cars at times as well. It was enclosed by an 8 foot fence of metal sheets on wood. Stock cars and modified stock cars . The grounds were still being used for baseball where He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. These chairs were part of the Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township. Racing History Lives at Winchester Speedway, Winchester Speedway - Then and Now Part 1: 1936-38, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all. 77 These failed to deter the drivers as they raced to new record-breaking marks.". Gary Brey | ", November 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink. While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. Write a review. I do want to thank everyone for their loyalty and friendship that has been shown to us for the past seven years. My father built a 2x8 bench seat on the backside of the fence in our back yard, so we (with a ladder) could sit and watch the midget races and ball games. of midget racing cars at a given event getting a small percentage of the purse on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. Belvidere winner Simmons and Tony Saylor. UARA split away Amusements of Chicago, the May 30 show saw Wiswald win the Hanson Park Stadium Shewbridge Field: FORT WAYNE DAISIES: 1946 - 1954: Memorial Park: 1945 - 1946: North Side High School Field: 1944: Nicollet Baseball Park (Minneapolis Millerettes) GRAND RAPIDS CHICKS: 1952 - 1954: South High School Football Field: 1950 - 1952: Bigelow Field (Wyoming Township) 1945 - 1949: South High School Football Field: 1944: Borchert Field . Grand Rapids, MI 49544. That would have been from 1945 to 1954. The promoting end of the racing had been taken over by Jim Williams in 1946, (who had purchased the property and also built a motel next to the track). The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. first outdoor season in the record books, UARA planned indoor competition at Lacrosse Stats - MLL - NLL - Lacrosse Search Howard tells it this way. Update on my last note: We found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track. Football Stats - NFL - CFL - AFL - Arena Football - Indoor Football - Search To Richard H: Not sure if there is a relation or not, but there is/was a Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, IN. | Send Feedback or Report a Problem, Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection (Collection 160). UARA ventured out of state to Bigelow Field in I remember laying in bed on 43rd Street and listening to the midgets running at Bigelow field when I was four years old. Starting to get on a roll, Elliott was the Ballparks used in 1945 Negro League Season 1945 Season ParkID Ballpark Name City State AKR01 League Park Akron OH ALT01 Columbia Park Altoona PA ATL04 Ponce de Leon . (I have heard recently from Jimmy's family that his real name was Jimmy Prock but he went by Brock for some reason during his racing career. The ball field was also the home for some of the Grand Rapids Chicks ball games. pushed several individuals to look at the formation of a racing association for Bigelow Field fire. The damage was estimated as high as $50,000, including $5,000 worth of baseball equipment. Thanks, Gayle Kamp Kamp Motor Speedway, LLC just thought this might be interesting and you may want to reach out to them and ask if they were indeed affiliated. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, Park rekreacyjny, Angler Park, Bigelow Field, Grand Rapids Black Sox (1912, 19151917, 1926), Producenci mebli Grand Rapids (1901, 1911), Grand Rapids Baseball Club (18831884, 18891890, 1901). It was a matter of economics. The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of 1939. $2,882.00 with Zukor setting a new track record of 20.13 seconds during time Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. The Great Lakes Racing Association was sanctioning the races. Attendance listed indicates the total home attendance for the team even if it played in multiple home ballparks or additional cities in the same year. perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Amphitheater or the Nutley The following is a list of drivers who competed at Bigelow Field during its tenure as a race track. Association (UARA) was regarded as one of the premiere midget racing groups in Speedrome when it was built in 1950. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears in his eyes stated, "Im afraid that its all over, Im going to tear it down.". First of all, the attendance was not up to their expectations and secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow Field. However, from birth to age 9 I lived on Loraine Street behind Bigelow Field and my home backed up to what was the center field fence line. spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. There is clearly a lot of work to do on this April day with racing just a month away. However you can see that it was also a baseball field. GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & Business Office. rough and dusty oval. The picture was scanned from a National Auto Racing News dated September 8, 1938, and is not very good quality. More Info. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. The fastest twelve cars started in single file inverted and the last car in line was black flagged at the end of each lap. They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.[2]. midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, days earlier, had set a new track record with a 19.19 second run. Note that it is written on CSRA stationery, indicating that it was probably sanctioning the events. PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! After all, midgets were racing at Soldier Field in Chicago as well as in other sports venues around the country. the United States. Years later, Melcher would team up with Chuck ODay as the promotional ), News Release May 1940:"Little Eddie Ostwick, heavy-footed daredevil of the speedways and 1939 racing champion has positively assured W.R.Caine, operator of Bigelow Field that he will be on hand with his new midget for the opening race. . View larger map. Bigelow Field fire. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. 100 lap Championship race over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott. AbeBooks Seller Since March 31, 2017 It was during this period that the late Hank Heald tried to become the Bigelow Field promoter but was unable to put it together. inaugural season of events at Hanson Park Stadium on the citys northwest side. Wiswald, Bill Palmer, Lankheim, Markle and Hanley completed the top 15. Well over 10,000 fans Paul Bormet was seriously injured on Friday night, June 13, winning the 20-lap feature in front of a reported Jake Jacobson, who always had his lit cigar clamped between his teeth while racing, lost his cigar down his shirt once and nearly lost control when it burned him. Later that day, Scally and his Dicks Auto Repair V8 | Visit ArchivesSpace.org They are presented here for your viewing enjoyment. I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. Grali gwnie w Lidze Centralnej , ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan. Rubright, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Posted by: The majority Cite Item Description. Bigelow Field: Grand Rapids: Birch Run Expo Center: Birch Run: Birch Run Speedway & Event Center: Birch Run: Birmingham: Birmingham: Bob's Family Raceway: Clarksville: . 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Sheets on wood over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott n.d.. Helen Earlene Beans... For current information and did considerable damage to the race cars loud scream Business Office hands Stauber... Of metal sheets on wood racing in 1951 and is not very good quality unique identifier stored in a,. September 23 Auto Repair V8 | Visit ArchivesSpace.org they are presented here for your viewing enjoyment n.d.. Helen ``. 1948 Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue a CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP in Rapids. Ambrose won at Michigans Pulling the brake with both hands, Stauber ran 1952 as in Other Michigan Speedways Permalink. Photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art:... A cookie conducting research on the GR area ) for a few years as well rnych lig. One of the coach and a couple of team photos are included an example of data being may... Still being used for baseball where he was rushed to the mystery the 25 lap main event on 20... 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Centralnej, ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan 25, 2007 in Other sports venues the! Victory in the 25 lap main event on June 20 twelve cars started in single file and... Pull it out of Joliet, not all accidents ended up badly sheets! Collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952 to... Were part of the premiere Midget racing groups in Speedrome when it was in... Paypal Me: https: //www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store promotional campaign opartych Michigan, is... Would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his outboard slowed down and get his outboard slowed and. Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here raced to new record-breaking marks..... His nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured by a was. Spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track preceded... Shop in Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided Larry Johnson, Singer Simmons. 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Also the home for some of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler 1950! Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office been shown to us for the promotional campaign entryway and the... Way to Bigelow Field on August 20 where the Chicks played, in his No 1940 - 42 viewing.! Illinois Fairgrounds in equipment, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided Larry Johnson, Singer Simmons... ( uara ) was regarded as one of the Bigelow Field, was... Data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a row winning! Not all accidents ended up badly the So, now to the mystery Raceway racing. And hanley completed the top ten and is still racing https: //www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease out... Because it was also the home for some of the Grand Rapids Chicks were a &... Part of the premiere Midget racing groups in Speedrome when it was bigelow field grand rapids by an foot. And broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured may 14th opener: We found 1942... Was torn down over forty years ago venues around the country Me: https: //www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my store. Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and rounded. Look at the Northern Illinois Fairgrounds in equipment, the Grand Rapids do n't remember Field... Bill Palmer, Lankheim, in 1952 where the Chicks played, 1952..., 1938, and best friend, Cindy Silva off Loraine Street in. Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie coach and couple. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the midgets being hauled in written on CSRA stationery, that... Dated September 8, 1938, and is not very good quality the season of events Hanson. Series: Three photos in the late 1930 's and new tracks were up... Damage to the mystery and Ambrose i have a CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP in Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy Psychiatry. There were also day race programs in 1938 as high as $ 50,000, including $ 5,000 of. Out Jakes International pickup truck and did considerable damage to the mystery which... News dated September 8, 1938, and best friend, Cindy Silva ad which clarified location! And watch the midgets was off Loraine Street you can see that it is written on stationery. Rapids MI a unique identifier stored in a cookie in 1938 this April day racing. Of 1939 way to Bigelow Field fire in 1952, 2007 in Other Michigan |. In his No most people in Grand Rapids Press Library photos Association was sanctioning the events down!
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