Seattle Steelheads facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seattle Steelheads |
|
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | |
| Location | Seattle |
| Ballpark |
|
| Year established | 1944 |
| Year disbanded | 1946 |
| Nickname(s) |
|
The Seattle Steelheads were a baseball team from Seattle, Washington. They were part of the Negro leagues, which were professional baseball leagues for African American players. These leagues existed when Black players were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball.
The team was owned by Abe Saperstein. They were also known by other names, like the Harlem Globetrotters and the Cincinnati Crescents. Sometimes, these teams even played against each other!
How the Seattle Steelheads Started
Abe Saperstein was a famous sports owner. He founded the Harlem Globetrotters baseball team in 1944. This baseball team was a partner to his very famous basketball team with the same name.
Saperstein also owned the Cincinnati Crescents. This was an All-Star team that traveled around playing games. This type of traveling play was called barnstorming. The team had great players like Bill Blair and Luke Easter.
Later, the Globetrotters and Crescents joined forces. They became founding members of the West Coast Negro Baseball League. At this point, they changed their name to the Seattle Steelheads.
The Steelheads played their first game on June 1, 1946. They played against the San Diego Tigers. About 2,500 fans watched the game at Sick's Stadium. Famous players on the Steelheads included Cannonball Berry and Herb Simpson. Sadly, the league only lasted for about a month.
Where Did the Steelheads Play?
The main place the Seattle Steelheads played their home games was Sick's Stadium in Seattle. They also planned to play games in other Washington cities. These cities included Tacoma, Bremerton, Spokane, and Bellingham.
Honoring the Steelheads Today
The Seattle Mariners, a current Major League Baseball team, have honored the Steelheads several times.
On September 9, 1995, the Mariners wore 1946 Steelheads uniforms. They played against the Kansas City Royals, who wore Kansas City Monarchs uniforms. The Mariners won that game 6–4. A former Steelhead player, Sherwood Brewer, was there to watch.
The Mariners wore a different Steelheads uniform on May 16, 2015. This was for a "Turn Back the Clock Night" game. They played against the Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field.
Most recently, on June 19th, 2021, the Mariners wore the 1946 uniforms again. This was part of the Juneteenth celebration.
