The Bellefontaine Baseball Co. purchased a parcel of land on Hamilton St. and built a ballpark for the Y Greys home field. A grandstand was built as well as an eight-foot board fence that surrounded the field. After the first season, the grandstand was roofed, part of which extended beyond the stands to accommodate a concession stand.
The Y Greys opened the 1913 season at the new Hamilton St. Park on May 30th, Decoration Day, by shutting out the Springfield Champions with a score of 8 to 0.
In June 1913, before one of the largest crowds ever assembled at Hamilton Park, the Y Greys beat the All-Professional team from Columbus, Ohio by a score of 6 to 3. Pitching for the Y Greys was “Long Bob” Ewing who had played for the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. “Ewing was in splendid form. His “spit” ball, curves, and drops kept the visiting batsmen guessing all through the game. Ewing had twelve strikeouts to his credit against the opposing team pitchers’ eight strikeouts.”
Ewing volunteered his services for the game and complimented the baseball association for their efforts in making the new ballpark. He also said, “The Greys are as fast a team of amateurs as he has ever played with.” As a token of their appreciation, the Greys presented him with a gift of cash. Ewing was reluctant to accept it and said he was very pleased with the reception he had received. He pitched for the Y Greys in other games.
In September 1913, the Y Greys played the Cincinnati Reds at Hamilton St. Park in an exhibition game. Bob Ewing was unable to pitch because he had oats to thresh on his New Hampshire farm in Auglaize County. Bob Couchman pitched against the Reds in the Greys 6 to 4 loss. One of the highlights of the game was 80-year-old Samuel Foughty who dressed like “Old Man Grump”, a cartoon character featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was hired by the Grey’s manager, C.B. Halboth to entertain the crowd. At the opening of the game, Foughty climbed over the center field fence. He then, with a hammer in his hand, marched to the Reds bench where he took a seat and remained there throughout the game cheering for the Greys and shouting “Shoot ‘em, Bob”. Foughty was one of the Y Greys biggest fans and always had a front-row seat.
Other exhibition teams playing at Hamilton St. Park included the Cuban Stars, All Filipinos, Hawaiians, and the Detroit Clowns.
The Greys often had pre-game entertainment for the large crowds that came to watch them play. One season they hired an old-time circus acrobat to perform stunts before their games.
The Y Greys closed the 1913 season with a 35 to 14 record in 49 games played. All games were played at Hamilton St. Park except one when they played at Kenton. Points scored by the Greys for the season were 347 and 199 for the opposing teams. They won the 1913 Amateur Baseball Championship of central and western Ohio.
Of the 14 games lost, three were to the Indianapolis Federal team, and two to the Cuban Stars. Other teams that defeated the Greys were Kenton, Botkins, Columbus Athletics, Shelby, Versailles, Hawaiians, Middleburg, Cincinnati Reds, and the St. Louis Browns. Kenton, Botkins, and Versailles after winning the first games in the series were all shut out in the second games.
Other teams the Y Greys defeated in 1913 were St. Marys, Springfield All Stars, Piqua, Columbus All Professionals, Bellefontaine High School, West Mansfield, Marion Hogan Runts, Korn Hatters of Columbus, Belle Center, Troy All Stars, Dayton All Professionals, Gem City Reserves of Dayton, Wapakoneta, London, Middleburg and Celina.
The number of men who played for the Y Greys during the season changed frequently, including 25 different pitchers. Many of the teams at that time went on “barnstorming” tours after the close of their regular season. The Y Greys played until about 1921.
In July 1923, it was announced that the Bellefontaine Industrial Baseball League was formed. The six teams included: the Bellefontaine Business Men, Big Four Railroad, A.J. Miller Co., Kauffman Metal Parts Co., Atlas Brass Co., and the Hockett Music Store. The league was to run for 10 weeks with three games played each week. These teams played for several years, and their fans turned out in great numbers.
The Bellefontaine Baseball Co. only lasted five years. In 1918, the corporation was canceled by the U.S. Tax Department. In 1956, Southeastern Elementary School was built on the land where the once-famous Hamilton St. Park once stood. The former school is now home to Union Station.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History.
The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
