The Birth of Brownsville’s Little League Baseball
Some early opponents of little league baseball were highly critical, but what they said about America’s game was far from the truth. They declared, “That the competitive pressure of little league baseball was a danger to the physical and psychological needs of those that played the game.”
On the other side of the fence, the backers of such a program credited little league baseball with curing everything from depression to delinquency. Fortunately, the kids were immune to what was being said and just kept on playing ball and – in spite of the adult squabbling – the popularity of the game continued to spread.
Locally, little league baseball had and continues to have many supporters. The game made its first curtain call in this city in 1952 when the Kiwanis Club took the initiative to organize the first-ever six-team league.
The pioneers of the program who took the challenge to sponsor the kids with uniforms and equipment were: The First National Bank, Brownsville Herald, West Brownsville Lions Club, Pan American Bank, Brownsville Shrimp Exchange and the Kiwanis Club. With the league in place, the next step was to apply for a charter from the national headquarters – but to the surprise of city officials – the application was denied.
According to Little League officials, “Brownsville’s population dictated it needed at least two circuits.” But such a dilemma was not going to derail the little league movement in this city. As a result, the West Brownsville Lions Club stepped up to the plate creating a second league. After realignment and the adding of two more teams to the original circuit – a new league was born. The new group was “West Brownsville Little League” with teams that included: West Brownsville Lions, Brownsville Shrimp Exchange, Pan America Bank and Junior Service League.
Let the games begin…
But hold on. Before the call of “Play Ball” was heard, the city introduced all kids to the community as they marched proudly in uniform in the Armed Forces Day Parade. The excitement in the city was overwhelming, so much so, that Brownsville’s professional baseball team, the Charros, took a back seat to little league baseball. It was said then, that because of the introduction of television into our living rooms and little league baseball – the Charros folded after the 1953 season.
Unfortunately, at that time, neither league had a field they could call home, so the first little league games played in Brownsville took place at Ringgold Park. Opening day in 1952 called for a city-wide celebration as the mayor, Police Chief Gus Krausse – an old baseball player himself – Fire Chief Valent and Sherriff Flaming, along with other city officials were all there to show their support and to stress the importance of little league baseball.
New Parks for both leagues…
A successful first year led to an improved following season. The number of city kids engaged in youth baseball increased to capacity in both leagues. By 1953, those sponsoring the respective leagues at East and West Brownsville took a giant step by constructing ballparks at both sites.
By the second year, the sights and sounds of little league baseball attracted over 150 pre-teens – all anxious to compete for a chance to make the roster. As dividing lines took place, so began the rivalries. The first East Brownsville Park was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and located on the grounds of Fort Brown.
But soon after it found a permanent home close to where TSC’s Recreation Center is located today. It wasn’t until about ten years later that this field was torn down and moved to Lincoln Park to make way for the Veterans Memorial Bridge approach and the East Loop.
The West Park was supported by the West Brownsville Lions and situated across the street from Lions Field on West St. Francis. By 1962, the park was moved to where it is today, off Cottonwood Drive. As the city grew, other leagues were added and more and more kids were leaving the sandlots to join the competitive leagues.
- Excerpt taken from Internet blog, “El RrunRrun,” April 10, 2014
On the other side of the fence, the backers of such a program credited little league baseball with curing everything from depression to delinquency. Fortunately, the kids were immune to what was being said and just kept on playing ball and – in spite of the adult squabbling – the popularity of the game continued to spread.
Locally, little league baseball had and continues to have many supporters. The game made its first curtain call in this city in 1952 when the Kiwanis Club took the initiative to organize the first-ever six-team league.
The pioneers of the program who took the challenge to sponsor the kids with uniforms and equipment were: The First National Bank, Brownsville Herald, West Brownsville Lions Club, Pan American Bank, Brownsville Shrimp Exchange and the Kiwanis Club. With the league in place, the next step was to apply for a charter from the national headquarters – but to the surprise of city officials – the application was denied.
According to Little League officials, “Brownsville’s population dictated it needed at least two circuits.” But such a dilemma was not going to derail the little league movement in this city. As a result, the West Brownsville Lions Club stepped up to the plate creating a second league. After realignment and the adding of two more teams to the original circuit – a new league was born. The new group was “West Brownsville Little League” with teams that included: West Brownsville Lions, Brownsville Shrimp Exchange, Pan America Bank and Junior Service League.
Let the games begin…
But hold on. Before the call of “Play Ball” was heard, the city introduced all kids to the community as they marched proudly in uniform in the Armed Forces Day Parade. The excitement in the city was overwhelming, so much so, that Brownsville’s professional baseball team, the Charros, took a back seat to little league baseball. It was said then, that because of the introduction of television into our living rooms and little league baseball – the Charros folded after the 1953 season.
Unfortunately, at that time, neither league had a field they could call home, so the first little league games played in Brownsville took place at Ringgold Park. Opening day in 1952 called for a city-wide celebration as the mayor, Police Chief Gus Krausse – an old baseball player himself – Fire Chief Valent and Sherriff Flaming, along with other city officials were all there to show their support and to stress the importance of little league baseball.
New Parks for both leagues…
A successful first year led to an improved following season. The number of city kids engaged in youth baseball increased to capacity in both leagues. By 1953, those sponsoring the respective leagues at East and West Brownsville took a giant step by constructing ballparks at both sites.
By the second year, the sights and sounds of little league baseball attracted over 150 pre-teens – all anxious to compete for a chance to make the roster. As dividing lines took place, so began the rivalries. The first East Brownsville Park was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and located on the grounds of Fort Brown.
But soon after it found a permanent home close to where TSC’s Recreation Center is located today. It wasn’t until about ten years later that this field was torn down and moved to Lincoln Park to make way for the Veterans Memorial Bridge approach and the East Loop.
The West Park was supported by the West Brownsville Lions and situated across the street from Lions Field on West St. Francis. By 1962, the park was moved to where it is today, off Cottonwood Drive. As the city grew, other leagues were added and more and more kids were leaving the sandlots to join the competitive leagues.
- Excerpt taken from Internet blog, “El RrunRrun,” April 10, 2014
Photo Gallery
This page will serve as our attempt to publish as many team photos as space permits. However, due to Little League guidelines, we cannot publish photos of teams whose players are still currently under the age of 18, unless we have obtained a parent's consent from all players in the photo, or that photo was already published in our local newspaper. Pictures of teams whose players are under 18 must be accompanied by a WBLL MODEL RELEASE form each player in the picture.
If you have a photo to submit, please email it to us at [email protected]. Please include: Year Taken, Name of Team/Sponsor, and Players'/Coaches' Names, if available.
If you have a photo to submit, please email it to us at [email protected]. Please include: Year Taken, Name of Team/Sponsor, and Players'/Coaches' Names, if available.
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