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The Islandian Times
Around the Town in the IPA
HIGH MESA COWBOYS
Owner: Dixon and Lula Belle Queen of the Queen Ranch
GM/Manager: Frisky Franks
High Mesa is located in the sparsely-populated central region of Tycobbia, a dry, dusty plains area with scrubby vegetation and low rainfall. It is midway between Ozarka in the Silver Mountains to the east, Bay St. Clair on the west coast and Midway on the Appian River to the northwest, about 100 miles from each. High Mesa has about 40,000 population.
It was sleepy little village when the Queen family arrived in 1870 from war-torn Texas in the United States. Richard Queen had made his money in shipping and riverboats during the Civil War and lost much of his wealth for being on the wrong side. He and his family migrated to Tycobbia to start anew. Queen was a good businessman and when he toured the high plains area east of Bay St. Clair, he found the perfect spot for his ranch. It had the only water hole for 100 miles in any direction and was shaded and sheltered by large mesquite trees. From that small holding Queen expanded to the biggest ranch in the Islands over the next 50 years. The Queen Ranch has grown to almost a million acres and is still in business today, guided by Richard Queen's descendants.
For the last century and a half the Queen Ranch has concentrated on raising cattle and supplies much of beef in Tycobbia. In the 1930's oil was discovered on the property and made the ranch even more profitable. The Queen family's oil industry contacts made it much easier for them to get an IPA franchise, quite an achievement for such a small town. Friends like the Ewing Oil family made it possible. The Queen Ranch is also famous for its thoroughbred horses and has produced many Arlon Derby winners over the years.
The High Mesa Cowboys play at a beautiful old stadium built in 1914. Queen Stadium has ivy-covered outfield fences that are unique in all of the Islands. It's a hitter's ballpark with short power alleys and a short center field. High-scoring slugfests are commonplace at Queen Stadium. The Cowboys have a Rhinestone Cowboy as their mascot. He gallops around the field on a splendid golden Palomino whooping it up and exhorting the crowd to cheer for the Cowboys.
Queen Stadium also serves a delicious ribeye steak sandwich at the concession stands. They are cooked right before you eyes on huge barbecue grills, filling the stands with the fragrance of sizzling steaks and grilled onions. Mouth-watering hamburgers and hot dogs are also on the menu along with the customary soft drinks and beer.
The High Mesa Cowboys are managed by Frisky Franks, who starred as a great second baseman in college and the industrial leagues. Franks is one of the all-time greats in Islandian baseball history, both as a player and a manager. He also doubles as the club's general manager.
Queen Stadium (1914)
Capacity: 6,575
Dimensions:
Left Field Line 355
Left Field 357
Left Center 368
Center Field 390
Right Center 368
Right Field 363
Right Field Line 353
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