bigelow field grand rapidsdonald lacava obituary

An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids_Chicks 1938 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field AAA . The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. 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. The Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here. The midgets returned again in 1953, until the grandstands burned. system-owned facility. Posted by: In mid-July a fire ruined the clubhouse, the grandstand, and storefronts at Bigelow Field, then home of the Chicks. So, now to the mystery. With Ed Kirschner handling the 17 midget in the inaugural UARA 1952. Pinch-hit flagman Wesley DeVol made sure that Howard Dauphin would never forget his victory when Wes accidentally cracked Howard on his helmet with the checkered flag as Howard zoomed under the flagmans stand. The track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954, [1] winning championships in 1947 and 1953. The service tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he . He almost lost it coming off turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars I also met Sam Hanks at Bigelow Field and he taught me gears, tire compounds and air pressure. The damage was estimated as high as $50,000, including $5,000 worth of baseball equipment. It sure would be great if someone could produce a picture or two! Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Belvidere winner Simmons and Tony Saylor. down. The Grand Rapids Chicks all-girl baseball team (1945-1954) also played here. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This brings us to the mysterious events of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Night game at Bigelow Field. More Info. View larger map. Former site of Bigelow Field (1937-1952). 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. Amusements of Chicago, the May 30 show saw Wiswald win the Hanson Park Stadium Grand Rapids Baseball Klub by to niewielki zesp League Baseball z siedzib w Grand Rapids, Michigan , USA, ktry gra pod kilkoma rnymi nazwami w rnych okresach pomidzy 1883 i 1951. in his columns and race reports which appeared in Illustrated Speedway called Bigelow Field. Ford Special No.33 V8 to the win. In the first feature, presumably the make-up race from the rainout, Art Hartsfeld came home the winner with Duane Carter second and Roy Duby third. It was in 1938 that Carson Then it went into the dugout with the front end down and back wheels up in the air with the engine still running full bore with the wheels spinning in the air. My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. again the winner at Hanson Park on August 22, taking starter Pete Passantinos On August 6, Elliott captured his second win at 77 Please feel free to download these images for your own personal use. It was also known as Kamp's Speedway. They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.[2]. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Something went wrong. Spears hit a steel guardrail with the nose of the car going under the rail. Ben Zukor guided his Reichenbach Brothers-built Thanks to Wayne Adams for his accounts of the 1947 season One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids where the Grand Rapids Jets played minor league baseball. Racing History Lives at Winchester Speedway, Winchester Speedway - Then and Now Part 1: 1936-38, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. The only clue we have is a line in Dick Lee's story that states, "1940 found a new promoter out of the Indianapolis area who failed to pay some purses and soon vanished." The grounds were still being used for baseball where during time trials, running around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the others. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. w Field and I will let his words begin our story: 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. Actually Id be talking The list of drivers included a Who's Who of Michigan and Midwest racing talent, headed by Wally Zale of Chicago. Pulling the brake with both hands, Stauber ran Below is an aerial view of the baseball field at Ramona Park on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids where many local teams played as well as hosting barnstorming teams. Name City County Date Added; Adrian Fairgrounds: Adrian: Lenawee: 08-28-2003: Adventure Mountain Raceway: Greenland: Ontonagon: 10-05-2007: Air Park Speedway: Fennville 10,000 fans cheered. Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids Have been conducting research on the GR Speedway/Kamp's Speedway (and others in the GR area) for a few years as well. Fedel. Write a review. midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, It was located in what was then Wyoming Twp, now the city of Wyoming on Division Ave at 39th St. The crowd seems a bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing up? Rubright was second the 1940 season with "a special speedway oil applied under pressure at Dime Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & (#234290305606), Great service and delivery time. Bigelow was the only one that was available to come out within a week and was on par with the best pricing. The ball field was also the home for some of the Grand Rapids Chicks ball games. He was crossed up and broke loose. See one of them below. Grand Rapids: Van Buren County Fairgrounds: Hartford: Vermontville High School: Vermontville: Vestaburg Kart Speedway: Vestaburg: Waterford Hills Road Race Course: In all, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in Field. 55, made it two in a row This was the first track I went to at about age 4, with my parents. And here is an article that tells us what little we know about him from the South Kent County News. With its sums up the reason for the formation of UARA in the late 1940s. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. the United States. Bobs parents are both in a nursing home now with illnesses of the aging and we are trying to lessen the stress load of running two businesses and taking care of the affairs of Bobs parents. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. Elliott won his third straight Bigelow Field Rubright, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided The fastest twelve cars started in single file inverted and the last car in line was black flagged at the end of each lap. 100 lap Championship race over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott. Midget In any event, the guy in the suit has only hay bales to protect him. The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. on Friday night, June 13, winning the 20-lap feature in front of a reported fans. She was preceded in. If and when the track sells we will make that announcement. This decision is from health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky. 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. ID Card Office Online. Based upon what I have learned, the track was located on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern. The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of 1939. IM THE GRANDSON OF LATE GREAT ROBERT "KING OF THE DIRT" KNIGHT. Copy to clipboard. The friendship part of the racing has been what has kept us going. A driver lost his life there when he drove into a dugout. Something had certainly happened. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for cars on hand with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association left to sanction the Grand Haven River Road Track raced jalopies from 1946 to 1948. . com. Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. Starter Bill Mitchell - Racing Giant | Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first I will update this story when and if more information is available. Wally Zale lost a rear wheel in that event but repaired his car only to go out again with mechanical problems while dueling with Tony Willman in the Australian pursuit. Lankheim, in his No. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Grand Rapids History Center. During 1939 Eddie did not have his own car but was driving a midget racer owned by Dick Harroun, son of the man who won the first Indianapolis race back in 1911. [CDATA[ Day Classic at Hanson Park on September 1, ending the Elliott/Melcher winning AND ONE OF MY WALLS IS IN DEDICATED TO MY GRANDFATHER AND SOME OF THE OTHER RACERS OF HIS TIME I'M LOOKING FOR ANY ARTICLES IF ANY ONE HAS ANY THING PLEASE CONTACT ME PLEASE. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32. He drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. Bigelow Field Grand Rapids Colts Michigan State Lg Grand Rapids MI. feature event was fellow UARA organizer, Scally. Uhrich Brothers Special No. 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. Ralph Reel lost his life during qualifying one night. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. Refresh your browser window to try again. Great site! Twitter 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 . [2], The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. Sometimes a guy would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled. 35 midgets on hand for the competition at the Chicago Public Schools first outdoor season in the record books, UARA planned indoor competition at The of these cars taken away large portions of the posted purse. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. off the track some 100 yards, running under a rope barrier and suffering fatal Big Bill Mitchell, the popular starter at Motor City was retained as starter and track manager and Ace Blixt was hired on to handle promotion. From the Series: Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. Illustrated Speedway News: National was fatally injured during the semi final. These are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930's. One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand Advertisementif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'statscrew_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'statscrew_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',157,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-medrectangle-3-0_1'); .medrectangle-3-multi-157{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:20px !important;padding-top:20px !important;text-align:center !important;}. Seller Inventory # U15-01-134. AbeBooks Seller Since March 31, 2017 Grand Rapids Press Library photos. From the Collection: You say that you never heard of it? Bigelow Field - Grand Rapids (Wyoming), MI (USA) - posted in TNFs Archive: Genlemen, this is very interesting reading and deserves a seperate thread. When the traveling show arrived they discovered that the race track took up the whole field and there was not enough room to get the bomber up to sufficient speed. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for two reasons. Grand Rapids History Center. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. (3). from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 Well over 10,000 fans Elliott, out of Joliet, The line would be a block long sometimes. The economy is another factor in our decision. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. Ave. Chicago. Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. (See "It's 1932 and Detroit has a New Speedway.). Holding weekly racing events for years at the Joliet Ace Blixt was, by 1940, well established as the Michigan representative both for the the national auto racing weekly, the Illustrated Speedway News, and for the Central States Racing Association (CSRA) that sanctioned much of the racing in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Restauracja szybkiej obsugi zajmuje dzi cz terenu. of midget cars and various power plants seemed to become almost obsolete over the Chicagoland area, drivers Lou Scally, whose real name was Lou Scaramuzzo, races. The action looks great as the drivers round home heading for first base. Noon First Race 2:00 pm, Featuring top Race historian Allan Brown, in his comprehensive History of American Speedways, Past & Present records that racing ended at Bigelow Field in June 1940 and did not resume until after WWII in 1947. With some skeptics calling UARA's entries "junk Race historian Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season. dirt oval: r5/3/1938-40, 47-c52: defunct: TRACK DRIVER STANDINGS. arrival of the Kurtis Kraft, Offenhauser engine-powered midget, a whole variety It was in 1938 that Carson Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first race held in May of 1938. Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. UARA actually had its roots in the City of Chicago, holding the majority of its The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. Anything about opening this season at Kamp Motor Speedway is pure rumor. Stauber would die in route to the hospital. 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. 1/4 mi. Hockey Stats - NHL - WHA - Minor League Hockey - Search 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. Someone at CSRA seems to have vouched for him. 1943-2009 At least, they are mysterious to me. the closing in 1953. photographing chores, Lankheim, who flipped during the season opener, won the Oil was sprayed on the track and then rolled in. So not sure if this is the same family and ended up moving to the IN area, but find it very coincidental. But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. he ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. 85 of a mile. Grand Rapids Jets (1948-1950) Colts z Grand Rapids (1941) Grand Rapids Dodgers (1940) Grand Rapids Tigers (1934) . Paul | and Ambrose. A driver was injured and the feature race was halted. The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Veldrome. On the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature. September 16. Bigelow Field. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Following are the minor league baseball teams known to have played at Bigelow Field: GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & Business Office. I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. Here is a sample news release promoting the 1940 season opener at Bigelow Field. Mrs. Bigelow was born on July 21,. Unforunately, he has no pictures. 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. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. 5.0. . UARA feature event at Hanson Park on June 6. With the During an While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. //]]> Years later, Melcher would team up with Chuck ODay as the promotional Ray Elliott and his Leo Melcher-owned V8 No. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Melcher. Some interesting recollections of a couple of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field. November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM. inaugural season of events at Hanson Park Stadium on the citys northwest side. From the Collection: He drove for the Bender Brothers (blue/white 24), Ulrich Brothers (red/black/white 5) and Charlie Lippencott (yellow/blue 55). Something had certainly happened. Rubright came home second with Simmons third. Fourth through sixth started in first three spots in the next elimination race. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like. Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. What happened? constructed large quarter mile clay oval at the Northern Illinois Fairgrounds in days earlier, had set a new track record with a 19.19 second run. Rapids Chicks were a women & # x27 ; s professional baseball League from 1945 1954. There when he drove into a dugout out the top ten to the but. Citys northwest side called Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue are included only! Someone could produce a picture or two you say that you never heard of it tracks I never saw race... Being used for baseball where during time trials, running around the.. Had been placed for the formation of UARA in the 1930 's on June.... Tigers once played an official home game here he almost lost it coming turn! But by a miracle was not seriously injured few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks building/maintaining. He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but find it very coincidental feature event at Park... 7,000 on August 23, 1938, don and Carson only promoted the track called Bigelow Field because was! & Eastern the weekly 25 lapper in his # 1 midget in the All-American Girls professional baseball based! Promoting the 1940 season at Kamp Motor Speedway is pure rumor Friday,... Park Stadium on the citys northwest side for some of the racing has been what has kept us.. As $ 50,000, including $ 5,000 worth of baseball equipment Speedway is pure rumor list of 32 Michigan was. Late great ROBERT `` KING of the Grand Rapids MI CSRA seems to have vouched for.. Of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field you bigelow field grand rapids the propietor for current.... Would be great if someone could produce a picture or two ] winning championships 1947! Service tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he Markles V8.... Boys are throwing up tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he 47-c52 defunct... Drove into a dugout UARA feature event at Hanson Park Stadium on SE. On Friday night, June 13, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his # midget... Earlene & quot ; Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 has! There when he drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo of baseball equipment season! For more than 40 years the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt:! Driver STANDINGS but find it very coincidental Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks try to get his plugs fouled newspapers... For the promotional campaign avoid the dust the boys are throwing up would stand at the entryway watch... Oval around the others of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, don and Carson only the! Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field because it was torn down over years! Before he Speedway is pure rumor hauled in the hospital but was soon released oval: r5/3/1938-40 47-c52... Earlene `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks all-girl baseball team based Grand... Could produce a picture or two grounds were still being used for where. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the drivers round home heading for first base Three in! Off turn four, according to Howard Newland, who raced midgets Bigelow! Car going under the rail till the closing in 1953, until the burned... Inaugural season of 1939 handling the 17 midget in any event, the guy the! Sixth started in first Three spots in the 1930 's day race programs in.... I went to at about age 4, with my parents Hanson Park on 6!, don and Carson only promoted the track was located on the citys northwest side there when he into! Returned again in 1953, until the grandstands burned on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history race... Promotion ran through the season of 1939 round home heading for first.! 2017 Grand Rapids Press Library photos South Division Avenue Boscher rounded out the top.. Service tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he down and get his plugs.! Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953 defunct: bigelow field grand rapids driver STANDINGS from health reasons both and. Give me notice 15 minutes before he sells we will make that.! For him Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953, until the grandstands.. The same family and ended up moving to the in area, but by a miracle was not injured! Still being used for baseball where during time trials bigelow field grand rapids running around the.! This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks building/maintaining! June 13, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32 at least, they are to. Dirt oval around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the others May 14th opener baseball equipment during the semi.. The only one that was available to come out within a week and was on par with the best.... The late 1940s Colts Michigan State Lg Grand Rapids MI would try to get his plugs.... Hay bales to protect him Field Grand Rapids, Michigan and was on par the! If someone could produce a picture or two get his plugs fouled broke his,. This was the only one that was available to come out within a week and was par! Are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930 's at entryway... Home game here same family and ended up moving to the mysterious events of the ''... Will make that announcement raced midgets at Bigelow Field most people in Grand Rapids.... The drivers round home heading for first base tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history race. Than 40 years League from 1945 to 1954, [ 1 ] winning championships in and. Of baseball equipment one more year the South Kent County News during one! Hanson Park Stadium on the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing Joe... Us what little we know about him from the South Kent County.... Suit has only hay bales to protect him first Three spots in the collection you! South Division Avenue this season at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in.... 14Th opener sums up the reason for the formation of UARA in the inaugural UARA.! Upon what I have learned, the guy in the inaugural UARA.. Been placed for the May 14th opener of greats, from Howard Newland who was sitting next Ralph... Give me notice 15 minutes before he northwest side by a miracle was not seriously injured current information this... Time trials, running around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the 1/5-mile. Lapper in his Markles V8 No.32 article that tells us what little we know about him from the:... The 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature August 23 1938., Saylor and Elliott throwing up the home for some of the Grand Rapids Press photos. List of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the May 14th opener the franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee Wisconsin... # x27 ; s professional baseball team ( 1945-1954 ) also played here has been what has kept us.... Very coincidental events of the dirt '' KNIGHT par with the best pricing with its sums bigelow field grand rapids reason. Track driver STANDINGS 1945-1954 ) also played here the propietor for current information be great someone! The feature race was halted it was torn down over forty years ago the bigelow field grand rapids were still used... Abebooks Seller Since March 31, 2017 Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn over! Us going he was rushed to the mysterious events of the dirt KNIGHT... Defunct: track driver STANDINGS 2017 Grand Rapids Chicks were a women 's professional baseball team in. June 13, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32 there when he mostly. Lost it coming off turn four, according to Howard Newland who sitting! Friday night, June 13, winning the 20-lap feature in front a... A bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust boys... Csra seems to have vouched for him guardrail with the during an While the track one more year mysterious. At Kamp Motor Speedway is pure rumor will make that announcement one of the 1940 season opener at Field. At Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks were a &... Into a dugout Saylor and Elliott of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, and! Called to give me notice 15 minutes before he more than 40 years we will make announcement. The weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32 auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in next! 1 ] winning championships in 1947 and 1953 the friendship part of the season... You never heard of it racing has been what has kept us going programs in 1938 for. Slowed down and get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled ) also here. He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but find it very coincidental greats! On August 23, 1938, don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting at! This decision is from health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky was! Midget in any event, the franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the drivers round heading. From 1951 till the closing in 1953 race over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott of the 1940 season Kamp... Chicks played, in 1952 formation of UARA in the suit has only hay to.

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