Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Spring Training
Jackie Robinson
— Jackie Robinson Ballpark & Museum —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, July 14, 2017
1. Jackie Robinson First Spring Training
“Here was a player who had without a doubt suffered more abuse and more taunts and more hatred than any player in the history of the game. And he had made a special effort to compliment and encourage a young white kid from Oklahoma.”
Jackie Robinson At Bat, Sanford, Florida, March 1946
(Photo courtesy of CORBIS)
As Billy Rowe, Chief Photographer For The Pittsburgh Courier And Constant Companion During The Robinson’s First Spring Training Related: “When The Royals Were Playing In (Sanford) Florida, Robinson Got A Hit, Stole Second, Went To Third On A Passed Ball And Stole Home. The Umpire Called Him Safe, But A Policeman Walked Onto The Field And Made Robinson Leave The Ballpark Because Local Law Prohibited Blacks From Playing With Whites. In Protest, Black Fans In The Stands Left The Park, Too. That Sent A Message About What Could Happen. To Me It Was The First Demonstration Of Racial Togetherness; The First Time I Had Seen That. It Was Something I'll Never Forget.” Later That Spring Training, A Game To Feature Jackie Robinson And Johnny Wright In DeLand Was Cancelled Citing Faulty Lighting When It Was A Game To Be Played During The Daylight Hours. A Trip To Jacksonville Was In Vain Because The Ballpark Gates Were Locked. According To A City Official, Local Laws Would Not Allow Negroes And Whites To Play On The Same Field. The Rest Of The Scheduled Games Featuring Robinson And Wright Were Transferred To Daytona Beach.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports.
Location. 29° 12.581′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rachel Robinson (here, next to this marker); Jackie's First MLB Spring Training Game (here, next to this marker); Mary McLeod Bethune (here, next to this marker); Jackie And Rachel Robinson Arrive In Daytona Beach (here, next to this marker); Breaks Major League Baseball Color Barrier (here, next to this marker); Sports Memories (here, next to this marker); Early Beginnings (here, next to this marker); Wendell Smith And Billy Rowe (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daytona Beach.
Regarding First Spring Training. This Daytona Beach Ballpark is named in honor of famed Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson. In 1946, Daytona Beach was the only city along the spring season circuit to allow Robinson to play. This event helped Robinson to eventually break the color barrier in major league baseball. On October 22, 1998, this stadium was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, July 14, 2017
2. Jackie Robinson First Spring Training
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, July 14, 2017
3. Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Museum Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, July 14, 2017
4. Jackie Robinson Ballpark Entrance
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, July 14, 2017
5. Radiology Associates Field At Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
6. Aerial File Photo Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on February 4, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
