Ballparks Around The World: Joe Campbell Memorial Stadium
In today’s episode of “Ballparks Around The World” we pay attention to another little gem: Joe Campbell Memorial Stadium in Rossville KS.
In April 1922, the city council of Rossville agreed on an $8,000 bond issue for a city park. Thanks to some hassle about the site and negotiations with the ground owner, it would take until the spring of 1924 before the work on the diamond and the grandstand would start. Eventually, the ballpark was christened on June 8, 1924 with a game between a team from Rossville and Tecumseh, which was won by Rossville 4-3.
Perhaps the most storied franchise that ever set foot on the diamond of Joe Campbell Memorial Stadium, was the Kansas City Monarchs. In 1925 the Monarchs would take on the local team in a barnstorming tour game and beat them 4-1.
In 1928 a Fourth of July fireworks display at the ballpark could have ended in disaster. Sparks accidentally ignited 2 “skyrockets,” which shot toward the packed grandstand with a roar and a stream of sparks. One pierced a 1-inch board on the front of the wooden grandstand, and the other went through the wire netting intended to stop only baseballs. There was a momentary panic, but no one was seriously injured, although one woman was badly bruised when hit by a rocket.
The ballpark is one of the few wooden grandstands that still exist in the USA. Last year
a fire at Jay Littleton Ball Park in Ontario, CA showed how vulnerable these wooden grandstands are.
The ballpark was named after local baseball pioneer Joe Campbell. The stadium is a significant point of pride for the community, which has actively supported its preservation and renovation effort.
Currently, the ballpark is undergoing a renovation that is finished for 90%. The stadium keeps its classic look with the red-and-white exterior, red bleachers and black backstops, but has been upgraded with new support beams, improved lighting and metal handrails. Crews are finishing work on the signage and concession area, with the city planning a dedication ceremony once everything is complete.
At one point, the city wondered what to do with the ballpark as it was in a bad shape. It put an item on Facebook and most of the comments pointed toward restoration. Not strange as this little gem has been and still is the heart and soul of Rossville for decades. It seems that every Rossville civilian has a personal story about the ballpark.
A big part, if not the biggest part, of the renovation of Joe Campbell Memorial Stadium was financed through a crowdfunding.
Here are some photos of this nice little ballpark:
