Clarksburg in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Real Field of Dreams
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
1. A Real Field of Dreams Marker
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A Real Field of Dreams. . James “Jim” Wims, who acquired this land in 1919 operated a farm with an orchard on this land. In an effort to provide a local place for his children to play ball, Jim took acrage out of crop production and converted it into the recreational area that became known as Wims Meadow. , For a farmer to take land out of cultivation was a real sacrifice. The loss was worthwhile to Jim Wims. His children had opportunities here to explore their future potential. Like other youth in the mid 1900s Montgomery. County, the Wims children did not follow in their father's footsteps as a farmer. Instead his four sons and two daughters all sought and succeeded in professional and trade pursuits. , Jim's son, Wilson, played for the Hyattstown Bluebirds. He later managed and co-owned the Maryland Wildcats, a local traveling semi-professional baseball team that played at Wims Meadow until the late 1950s. Like his father, Wilson worked to provide better recreational opportunities for his surrounding community, including the creation of the Clarksburg Recreation Center. , From the Sandlot… Typically only one baseball game was played on Sunday afternoon at this location, as many guests walked the meadow after Sunday church service. Attendance for local games was impressive. Thousands of folks , mainly from Washington, D.C. , traveled on the “Great Road” (Old 240/Route 355) to watch the players take the field. Spectators paid 25 cents for admission to see their local favorites, the Hyattstown Bluebirds, play the other Montgomery County barnstorming teams. , …to the Big Leagues! Patrons attended baseball games fielded by local stars who struggled to become professional Negro League baseball players. From the 1880s until 1946, baseball was segregated, prohibiting black athletes from participating in the Major Leagues. Local sandlot games were regularly attended by county residents. Many residents also traveled to professional Negro League games nearby to watch the Homestead Grays play at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. and the Baltimore Black Sox and Elite Giants in Baltimore, Maryland.
James “Jim” Wims, who acquired this land in 1919 operated a farm with an orchard on this land. In an effort to provide a local place for his children to play ball, Jim took acrage out of crop production and converted it into the recreational area that became known as Wims Meadow.
For a farmer to take land out of cultivation was a real sacrifice. The loss was worthwhile to Jim Wims. His children had opportunities here to explore their future potential. Like other youth in the mid 1900s Montgomery. County, the Wims children did not follow in their father's footsteps as a farmer. Instead his four sons and two daughters all sought and succeeded in professional and trade pursuits.
Jim's son, Wilson, played for the Hyattstown Bluebirds. He later managed and co-owned the Maryland
Wildcats, a local traveling semi-professional baseball team that played at Wims Meadow until the late 1950s. Like his father, Wilson worked to provide better recreational opportunities for his surrounding community, including the creation of the Clarksburg Recreation Center.
From the Sandlot… Typically only one baseball game was played on Sunday afternoon at this location, as many guests walked the meadow after Sunday church service. Attendance for local games was impressive. Thousands of folks — mainly from
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Washington, D.C. — traveled on the “Great Road” (Old 240/Route 355) to watch the players take the field. Spectators paid 25 cents for admission to see their local favorites, the Hyattstown Bluebirds, play the other Montgomery County barnstorming teams.
…to the Big Leagues! Patrons attended baseball games fielded by local stars who struggled to become professional Negro League baseball players. From the 1880s until 1946, baseball was segregated, prohibiting black athletes from participating in the Major Leagues. Local sandlot games were regularly attended by county residents. Many residents also traveled to professional Negro League games nearby to watch the Homestead Grays play at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. and the Baltimore Black Sox and Elite Giants in Baltimore, Maryland.
Location. 39° 16.404′ N, 77° 17.688′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Western Piedmont Trail, 4.9 miles west of Clarksburg Road, on the left when traveling west. In Little Bennett Regional Park about 3/4 of a mile northwest of the Kingsley Schoolhouse parking
Every town in Montgomery County had a baseball team in the first half of the 1900s. Hyattstown hosted several local opponents, including talented teams from Clarksburg. Part of the roster for the 1950s Charksburg Athletics included Lester Wimms, one Jim's sons, seen here in the front row, third from left.
Close-up of photo on marker Ethel Forman, Clarksburg Historical Society
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
4. Jim Wims
Close-up of photo on marker The Wims Family
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
5. Gordon Hopkins
Local Legend Gordon Hopkins became a famous Negro League player for the Indianapolis Clowns.
Close-up of photo on marker Negro League Baseball Museum, Inc.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
6. Buck Leonard
This 1938 photo shows Buck Leonard (also known as the “Black Babe Ruth”) first baseman for the Homestead Grays taking a swing at Griffith Stadium. Leonard and teammate Josh Gibson usually led the Negro League in home runs. They were both inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Close-up of photo on marker National Baseball Hall of Fame Library
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
7. Well Dressed Onlookers
These games were more than athletic competitions, they were social events. Both men and women came well-dressed to the games.
Close-up of Dr. Lawrence Hogan photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 10, 2016
8. Wims Meadow
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,738 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on July 21, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.