Near Elrod in Clark County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Birthplace of South Dakota Amateur Baseball
Garden City - - - - - Six Miles North
In an effort to raise the morale of the people and to give amateur baseball players an opportunity to compete, two young Garden City businessman organized the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association. One of these men, Howard Lyke, was the first president while F.N. ‘Denny’ Cosgrove became the first secretary-treasurer.
Teams and leagues were organized throughout the state with the first statewide tournament being held in 1933 at Watertown. Winning teams have played in national competition throughout the years. In 1950, Watertown’s Park Grant team won the National Amateur Baseball Congress tournament at Battle Creek, Michigan.
The directors of the association hosts a group of handicapped young people on an annual goodwill trip to attend a Minnesota Twins baseball game.
This marker is dedicated during the nations bicentennial year to all of the team players, managers, state officers, commissioners, and district and league officials who have participated in South Dakota amateur baseball since its inception and to all the loyal fans who have given the support needed for the continued success of the association.
Erected 1976 by the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Assn., the South Dakota Department of Transportation, and the South Dakota State Historical Society. (Marker Number 472.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 44° 52.593′ N, 97° 33.375′ W. Marker is near Elrod, South Dakota, in Clark County. Marker is on U.S. 212, 0.2 miles west of 433rd Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Henry SD 57243, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Centennial Tree (approx. 4.3 miles away); Samuel Harrison Elrod, (approx. 8.7 miles away); Clark County Veterans Memorial (approx. 8.7 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 728 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on October 10, 2021. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.