Rushville in Sheridan County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Modisett Ball Park

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2023

1. Modisett Ball Park Marker

Inscription.
In 1935, Sheridan County ranchers Albert and Mayre Modisett established a trust (enhanced in 1944), which ultimately provided many lasting gifts for their neighbors. These successful cattlemen gave to Rushville the gift of good stewardship, by designating funds for the purposes of building several community amenities.

Honoring the brothers' love of baseball, one highly notable gift was a state-of-the-art, baseball field. It would become known as Modisett Ball Park.

On opening day, September 9, 1940, 2,500 ringed the field and filled the stands and bleachers for the very first game. Town team and youth baseball kept the field active with teams from throughout the panhandle and beyond coming to play on this new field.

In 1954, local insurance businessman Gene Leahy (brother to Notre Dame football coaching legend Frank Leahy) was the driving force to establish the Milwaukee Braves Baseball School and tryout camp in Rushville. Would-be big league players from throughout the Midwest, Canada and even Central America were put through their paces and instructed by baseball greats like Hall of Fame player and batting instructor Paul Waner, along with other Braves coaches and adjunct local and regional coaches. The boys brought with them a spirit that still exists today for the 200 or so young boys from nearby communities

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who play in three summer programs.

In 2013, after nearly 75 years of use, Modisett Ball Park was in need of major renovation. Rushville native and retired Chief Executive of the Omaha World-Herald, John Gottschalk, joined with Mayor Chris Heiser to launch a project that would completely replicate the original facilities with many improvements to the grounds, fan amenities, lighting and overall appearance of this historic field. The new Modisett Ball Park was re-dedicated August 31, 2014.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is September 4, 1940.

Location. 42° 42.994′ N, 102° 28.138′ W. Marker is in Rushville, Nebraska, in Sheridan County. It is on West 3rd Street just west of Conrad Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the back (southeast) wall of the Modisett Ball Park grandstand building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 West 2nd Street, Rushville NE 69360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Nebraska Panhandle.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

on the Northern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Rushville (approx. ¼ mile away).

Also see . . . Rushville’s Field of Dreams (Sheridan County Tourism).

(By Heidi Beguin)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2023

2. Modisett Ball Park Marker & Grandstand
The marker is mounted above eye level on the back (southeast) side of the Modisett Ball Park grandstand building.
Excerpt: Nestled in the southwest corner of the little town of Rushville, Nebraska, sits an emerald green surprise to anyone driving by along Highway 20. In a town of around 780 people, there sit big, bold white letters atop a stadium, proudly announcing to the world that this is the home of the Modisett Ball Park.
The baseball field is kept in top shape by the employees of the City of Rushville. White lines run straight from base to base, ending at the bottom of the baseball diamond at home plate. Sitting a safe distance behind the plate and covered with protective netting is the stadium. Wooden bleachers and steps that lead up to the announcer’s crow’s nest are protected by the wooden roof, keeping the crowds dry in case of a rain delay.
Since Gottschalk’s restoration in 2014, numerous teams have gotten to play on the field. Never has the famous phrase from the movie Field of Dreams been more suitable – “if you build it, they will come.” Several times in recent years, district and state baseball has been held in Rushville, as a slew of the men who had a hand in building and influencing the ball park must have been smiling down upon the preparations, gathering crowds, opposing baseball teams, and even the officials.

(Submitted on June 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Modisett Ball Park Grandstand image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2023

3. Modisett Ball Park Grandstand

Modisett Ball Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2023

4. Modisett Ball Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.