Norcross in Gwinnett County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Ball Ground

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 18, 2022

1. The Ball Ground Marker

Inscription.

The Ball Ground. . On this site during the late ninteenth century, a professional-size baseball field was constructed. Known for many years as simply "the ball ground,” this park became the center of the community every summer in Norcross. From 1910-1950s Norcross produced more professional baseball players per capita than any other town in America., Four played in the major leagues: , Ivy Brown Wingo - St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds , Absalom Holbrook "Red" Wingo - Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers , Roy Edward Carlyle - Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees , Hiram (Cleo) Carlyle - Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox , Two of these players set records during their careers, in 1925 the Detroit Tigers had the highest outfield batting averages with Absalom "Red" Wingo batting .370, Ty Cobb batting .378, and Harry Heilmann batting .393. On July 4, 1929, Roy Carlyle hit the longest measured home run (618 feet) in Oakland, California., Troyce Cofer played AAA ball with Buffalo in the International League. , Jack "Shep" Trimble played professionally with the Atlanta Black Crackers., Six played at the AA level , Frank "Poo Doo" Robertson and Amos Martin - Atlanta Crackers , Oliver Key, Cecil Rhodes, and Hudson Johnson, all with the Memphis Chicks , Harold Ivy-Nashville Vols, Others signing professional contracts include John Adams, Worley Adams, Arthur Verner, Royce Cofer, Jack Reynolds, Robble Burnett, Clint Davis, Jr., John Findley, Thurman Terrell, Jimmy Ross, Byron Barnett, Ray Garmon, Glenn Davis, and Tim Fuller, The Norcross Baseball Club found many supporters is the community, but Edwin "Pop” Dean was instrumental in keeping baseball alive in Norcross for many generations. In 1961, 1964, and 1965 the Norcrosss Town Team, managed by William (Bill) Payne, was Georgia state champion, representing the state in the National Amateur Baseball Federation tournament. After that, this field was used by youth teams such as the Dixie Seniors and the Norcross High School baseball team. We honor Norcross' "Boys of summer" who graced this park and entertained this community for so many summers with their youth, talent, enthusiasm, and dreams.

On this site during the late ninteenth century, a professional-size baseball field was constructed. Known for many years as simply "the ball ground,” this park became the center of the community every summer in Norcross. From 1910-1950s Norcross produced more professional baseball players per capita than any other town in America.

Four played in the major leagues:
Ivy Brown Wingo - St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds
Absalom Holbrook "Red" Wingo - Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers
Roy Edward Carlyle - Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees
Hiram (Cleo) Carlyle - Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox
Two of these players set records during their careers, in 1925 the Detroit Tigers had the highest outfield batting averages with Absalom "Red" Wingo batting .370, Ty Cobb batting .378, and Harry Heilmann batting .393. On July 4, 1929, Roy Carlyle hit the longest measured home run (618 feet) in Oakland, California.

Troyce Cofer played AAA ball with Buffalo in the International League.
Jack "Shep" Trimble played professionally with the Atlanta Black Crackers.

Six played at the AA level
Frank "Poo

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Doo" Robertson and Amos Martin - Atlanta Crackers
Oliver Key, Cecil Rhodes, and Hudson Johnson, all with the Memphis Chicks
Harold Ivy-Nashville Vols

Others signing professional contracts include John Adams, Worley Adams, Arthur Verner, Royce Cofer, Jack Reynolds, Robble Burnett, Clint Davis, Jr., John Findley, Thurman Terrell, Jimmy Ross, Byron Barnett, Ray Garmon, Glenn Davis, and Tim Fuller

The Norcross Baseball Club found many supporters is the community, but Edwin "Pop” Dean was instrumental in keeping baseball alive in Norcross for many generations. In 1961, 1964, and 1965 the Norcrosss Town Team, managed by William (Bill) Payne, was Georgia state champion, representing the state in the National Amateur Baseball Federation tournament. After that, this field was used by youth teams such as the Dixie Seniors and the Norcross High School baseball team. We honor Norcross' "Boys of summer" who graced this park and entertained this community for so many summers with their youth, talent, enthusiasm, and dreams.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports.

Location. 33° 56.497′ N,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 18, 2022

2. The Ball Ground Marker

84° 12.709′ W. Marker is in Norcross, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. It is at the intersection of College Street Northwest and Jones Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on College Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Jones St NW, Norcross GA 30071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lillian Hicks Webb (a few steps from this marker); Site of Norcross Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); American Elm (within shouting distance of this marker); National Register of Historic Places – City of Norcross

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(within shouting distance of this marker); 29 South Peachtree Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 15 South Peachtree Street (about 400 feet away); 9 South Peachtree Street (about 400 feet away); 15B South Peachtree Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norcross.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 503 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.