A Brief History of The Barnstorming Summer League
The “Barnstorming Summer League” was a loosely organized confederation of barnstorming teams from the Mid-Atlantic. Each summer, the teams would travel the country, and play games against one another for local crowds. At the end of each summer a “Summer Championship” best of 5 series would be held to determine the league’s champion. Often times, the star players on these teams would be African American or Hispanic players, due to the racist major league agreement. From 1887-1919 these teams entertained fans around the United States, while featuring some of the most talented players who would be otherwise lost to history.
The league began in May of 1887 when four barnstorming teams from the mid-atlantic region decided on a competitive agreement. They would travel to towns without team, sometimes without parks to play in, and set up competitive baseball games. Admission for these games ranged from food donations up to a dollar a piece, depending on the location and decade. For the first eight years, the team stuck close to the mid-atlantic region, by the turn of the century the teams were traveling throughout the northeast and mid-west.
The “Founding Four” (L-R): Dan Lally, Fred Mayfield, Welday Walker, and “Ballplayer” Grant
The first of the four founding teams were the Legends from Bethlehem, PA. Led by outfielder Dan Lally. Bethlehem was a well-rounded club, spreading their training focus wide. A tough team to beat. Second, was the scrappy Bowie Isotopes from Maryland. A rag-tag group, often the underdog, led by first-baseman Fred Mayfield. Third, a team from Massachusets, the Waltham Big Train. The Big Train, led by third baseman Ballplayer Grant. True to their name, the Big Train was an intimidating team. They billed themselves as “The World Champions…” when they travelled. Finally, Welday Walker’s Washington Ghosts. Walker was known for playing with the Toledo Blue Stockings before the famous incident involving his brother Moses and Cap Anson. Welday’s Washington Ghosts boasted a tremendous roster – including Sol White at 3B, Pitcher George Knowlton, and utility infielder Napoleon Ricks.
In the first season, the Ghosts dominated most games. The scrappy Isotopes and the well-rounded Bethlehem Legends stole wins from the Waltham Big Train, who finished second overall. Washington took the inaugural “Summer Championship” in a 4-0 series. Over the next several years, the players who lasted would switch to different teams in order to keep rosters active, for example – in his 10 year career – Ballplayer Forbes started in Washington in 1887, played for Bethlehem the next season, Bowie the next, back to Washington, Bowie, Washington, Waltham Big Train in 1893, and then Washington again in 1897. Despite the rotating of the rosters, the teams normally stuck to their identity. The Ghosts and Waltham Big Train dominated most of the summer games, with the Bowie Isotopes fighting their way to the top in 1890 and 1894.
(L-R) Forbes in 1887, 1888, 1889, 1893, and 1897
Over the 22-year history, six more teams would join the league. In 1903, the league added two teams from New York. From upstate, The Clifton Park Red Dragons and from Long Island, The Brentwood Vikings. In 1913 the Georgian based “Rome Texans” and the Bethel Park Liberty would join. Finally -during the final two years of operation- the Irondequoit Monsters and Lacey Township Rockies joined the circuit. In the last five years of operation, some of the current stars of the NNL got their start. Including Cristobal Torriente, Hurley McNair, Charlie Blackwell, Bill Gatewood – among others.
(L-R) Hurley McNair – Red Dragons, Robert Jackson – Vikings, Pearl Webster – Texans, Bingo DeMoss – Liberty,
George Shively – Monsters, Noisy Wallace – Rockies
The Summer League eventually folded after the 1919 season. They faced competition from the teams in the Midwest that went on to form the Negro National League in 1920, as well as new teams back home in the east. Most of the best talent decided to play ball elsewhere. Following a meeting in October of 1919, most of the league leadership decided to fold and divide their talents elsewhere. The New York teams – Clifton Park, Brentwood, and Irondequoit – continue to play in the local state leagues. The Washington Ghosts and Waltham Big Train continue operation as independent teams.