A 1929 Sanborn map showing the physical layout of Edgewood Park and Maysville Park at Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Both parks had baseball diamonds and both were important sites in the history of baseball in the Shamokin area. While the location of the fields is not noted on the map, it is believed that in the case of Edgewood Park, there was a grandstand to the right of the “Temple of Mirth,” perhaps for a baseball field. Note: To enlarge the above map, go to Penn State Digital Library.
The following column by Edgar Markok appeared in the Shamokin News-Dispatch, September 29, 1956:
MY SHAMOKIN
Shamokin is all excited about the coming World Series and such names as Yanks, Dodgers, Braves and Redlegs have been on the lips of many persons during the past several weeks. In fact, such important items as the presidential race, the Suez crisis and high taxes have been completely overlooked during the hectic final days of the baseball season.
It is easily understandable why there is such intense interest in the comping World Series, as Shamokin traditionally has been known as a rabid baseball community since the turn of the century. The community at one time was represented in the Tri-State League, later in the Susquehanna League, the Atlantic League, the old High Hat League, New York-Pennsylvania League, and, back in the early twenties the city had a team in the Anthracite League.
While driving past Maysville Park recently we glanced toward the site there the old ball field was once located and instead of the park we saw a mammoth stripping operation.
Sorry, to say the least that the old ball park was no more, we could not help but recall how Frank Omlor, Garfield Boyd and Peck Rowe used to toss them from the mound for the Maysville club. We had visions of Mulvy Thomas stealing second, and we actually “heard” the sound of the bat as Eddie “Swede” Edmundson, manager of the old Eagle Silks, sent the ball crashing over the head of Jake Pitler, then manageer of Mahanoy City, who now is one of the coaches for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
There were other favorites, such as Elmer Knetzer, who used to twirl in the Federal League, and who came to Shamokin to play ball. The Colored Giants with their star, Sandtop, who sent them craashing ovedr the center field fence on many occaasions. We could even hear Robert “Bob” Rhedans, the soap salesman who came to town and liked Shamokin so much he decided to stay here, root home the winning run.
Rhedans, who was one of the most ardent baseball fans we have ever met, would sit behind the catcher and root for the team in such a manner that he could be heard all over the park. On one occasion we accompanied him to Philadelphia to witness a game between the Philadelphia Athletics and the St. Louis Browns. The Athletics were ahead 6-1 at the start of the fifth inning and then Bob began to root. George Sisler, “Baby Doll” Jacobson, Oscar Bludge and Muddy Ruel all hit safely, as did the pitcher and several other players, and when the game was over St. Louis had won it by a 7-6 score. We can still hear the fans say as we were leaving the stands, “Those two fellows who were rooting for the Browns actually won that game.”
Besides the professional and independent teams, there were other aggregations which attracted attention through their baseball ability. We remember when the local press and the bankers staged a game, back in the summer of 1922. The same “Bob” Rhedans about whom we wrote above covered the game for the three afternoon papers of the time. It might be interesting to reproduce the story which appeared in the papers the next day.
“Low-scudding rain clouds, sharp flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder that told of a battle of elements failed to dampen the ardor of the 18 sons of swat representing the local press and banks who battled through nine long grueling innings of toilsome baseball on the Masyfield diamond last evening.
“It was a battle to determine the supremacy of the typewriter or the adding machines, and the boys who pound the keys and the Linotypes stoutly upheld the traditions of their calling by whaling the liverlights out of the boys who count the money.
“Thousands of fans who expected to see the game at Edgewood Park were disappointed due to William ‘Bill’ Steel manager of the press team. “Bill” knocked off work for four days in order to whip his team in shape, but forgot the little detail of having the diamond at Edgewood reserved for the game, necessitating a ninth-hour change to the Maysville field.
“One of the mysteries that was cleared when the rival team took the field was that the “Ty Cobb” listed in the lineup published before the game was no other than Clyde Ketner, office manager of the Dispatch, and erstwhile athlete of bygone days. The fire of battle was in his eye and a chew of tobacco in his mouth as the former high school star donned his baseball togs prior to entering the game. And both fire and cud proved valuable for the indomitable Clyde had a three-base hit, walked once, and brought in two runs. He made one out by a great running catch that brought down the grandstand; altogether a fine day’s work.
“The game itself was replete with many heroic and complicated plays. Edmunds made a sensational catch of a short fly in left field which was nothing short of dare-devilish. Effinger’s work at short for the Bankers was exceptionally good. He handled ten chances without an error. Kadingo starred at second base and Simmonds played well at third. J. Herbert Lawrence, a member of the famous Maysville club, played first base and his work at the initial sack was most consistent. He relieved Snella on the pitching mound near the close of the game.”
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Article obtained from Newspapers.com.
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