Browning Field facts for kids
| Address | 16th Street and 23rd Avenue Moline, Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°29′31″N 90°30′42″W / 41.492081°N 90.511776°W |
| Public transit |  Quad Cities MetroLINK |
| Owner | City of Moline, Illinois |
| Operator | City of Moline, Illinois |
| Capacity | 5,600 (1948) |
| Field size | (LF-CF-RF) 550-440-377 (1948) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1910 |
| Built | 1910-14 |
| Opened | 1912 |
| Renovated | 1972 |
| Expanded | 1920 |
| Tenants | |
| American Football League Rock Island Independents (1926) Minor League Baseball Moline Plowboys (1920-1948) High School Sports Moline High School (1912-Present) |
|
Browning Park is a special park in Moline, Illinois, USA. It's located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue. For over 100 years, Browning Field has been a popular spot for high school and professional sports. Famous athletes like Babe Ruth and Red Grange have even played here!
Contents
What is Browning Park?
Browning Park is more than just a park; it's a historic athletic field. It has hosted many exciting games, from football to baseball. It's a place where local teams and even professional players have made history.
How Browning Park Started
The park is named after John T. Browning. He was a lawyer and served in the state government. In 1910, Mr. Browning decided to give his land to the city of Moline. He wanted it to be a "playground and athletic park" for everyone to enjoy. He made sure it would always be known as the John T. Browning Park.
The field officially opened on October 5, 1912. The very first event was a football game. Moline High School played against Maquoketa and won with a score of 34–0! Over the next few years, a football and track stadium was built. A baseball field was also created. Later, in 1928, the Wharton Field House was added next door.
Home to Many Sports Teams
Browning Field has been home to many different sports teams. The Moline High School teams have used the field the most. But professional teams have also played here.
The Moline Plowboys Baseball Team
One famous team was the Moline Plowboys baseball team. They started playing at Browning Field in 1920. The team's name, "Plowboys," honored Moline's history of making farm equipment. Companies like John Deere were located in Moline.
The Plowboys won championships in 1921 and 1937. They were also connected to big league teams like the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. Some important people in baseball worked with the Plowboys. Earle Mack, whose father was a famous manager, managed the team. Warren Giles, who later became president of the National League, was also president of the Plowboys. The Plowboys played at Browning Field until 1948. The field could hold 5,600 fans.
Professional Football at Browning Field
In 1926, a professional football team called the Rock Island Independents played at Browning Field. This team was one of the first members of the National Football League. They later joined a new league called the American Football League.
On October 3, 1926, the Independents played against the New York Yankees football team. The Yankees had a super famous player named Red Grange. About 5,000 fans came to Browning Field to watch the game!
Exciting Baseball Games and Famous Visitors
Browning Field has seen some truly memorable baseball events.
- On April 12, 1920, the Moline Plowboys played an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox. The Plowboys surprised everyone by winning 7–1!
- The Chicago Cubs also played an exhibition game against the Plowboys on April 14, 1938.
- One of the biggest events was on June 26, 1940. The legendary Babe Ruth visited Browning Field! He put on a batting practice show for 2,600 fans. Everyone was excited to see "The Great Bambino" hit baseballs.
Famous Athletes Who Played Here
Many talented players have stepped onto Browning Field. Here are a few who later became famous:
- Hank Wyse (1940) – An All-Star pitcher who played in the World Series.
- Lennie Merullo (1939) – Played in the World Series for the Cubs.
- Eddie Waitkus (1939) – A two-time All-Star player.
- Kirby Higbe (1937) – A two-time All-Star and led the league in wins in 1941.
- Peanuts Lowrey (1937) – An All-Star who played in the World Series.
- Claude Passeau (1932) – A four-time All-Star pitcher who led the league in strikeouts in 1938.
- Mike Tresh (1932) – An All-Star catcher.
- Warren Giles (Team President 1919–1921) – Later became president of the National League and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
