Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bradenton Nine Devils

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 3, 2025

1. Bradenton Nine Devils Marker

Inscription. The Bradenton Nine Devils played here starting in the 1930's as part of the Florida State Negro Baseball League. Known by various names, "Nine Devils" is attributed to a 9-game winning streak one season. Team owners Bish Christopher and John Clark, later Edward Stephens, organized over 70 games annually. Working all week, players practiced at night and played on Sundays. Home field was here, and they traveled to away games throughout Florida on a red bus with their devil mascot painted on the side. Shortstop James Copeland said: "You'd play, shower, eat, get back on the bus and be back at work the next day. You had to love it." The players' devotion continues to inspire us all.

Erected 2025 by Manatee Community Foundation and Boxser Diversity Initiative.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 27° 29.102′ N, 82° 34.268′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It is at the intersection of 9th Street West and 16th Avenue West, on the right when traveling north on 9th Street West. Located in front LECOM Ballpark. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1609 9th St West, Bradenton FL 34205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: William Boyd McKechnie (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Weatherford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bradenton Kiwanis Club / Kiwanis Trailer Park (approx. half a mile away); Bradenton General Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Major Adams Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lincoln High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Honorable R.B. "Chips" Shore Courthouse Grounds (approx. 0.7 miles away); Courthouse Square (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

Also see . . .
1. Bradenton Unveils Historical Marker Honoring Nine Devils Negro League Team at LECOM Park. Pulse of Manatee website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

2. Marauders and historical marker will recognize Bradenton’s Negro Leagues team. ABC 7 News entry (Submitted on July 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 3, 2025

2. Bradenton Nine Devils Marker

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 3, 2025

3. LECOM Park

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.