Neodesha in Wilson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Dutch Lorbeer
American Legion Park
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2012
1. Dutch Lorbeer Marker
Adley "Dutch" Lorbeer (1902-1983) came to Neodesha in 1929. Dutch enjoyed a six year pro-ball stint with the Pittsburg[h] Pirates and the New York Yankees organizations, an experience which profoundly influenced the rest of his life. Returning to Neodesha he became sponsor for the Neodesha American Legion baseball team in 1945. This organization enabled boys aged fifteen to eighteen to play ball competitively. Dutch coached, purchased their uniforms, baseballs, bats and gloves and took them all to a St. Louis Cardinals game each year. During his eighteen year sponsorship, Dutch spent over $75,000 on Neodesha's American Legion ballplayers.
The Neodesha American Legion Park was designed by Standard Oil engineer A.M. Burton and dedicated May 8, 1921. Neodesha baseball enthusiasts donated the $4,000 to build the original field with a covered grandstand that held 700.
Erected 2005.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1921.
Location. 37° 25.059′ N, 95° 41.754′ W. Marker is in Neodesha, Kansas, in Wilson County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 75), on the right when traveling east. The ballpark is nestled
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Opening of the Mid-Continent Oil Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown Hotel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Soldiers of the World War (approx. 0.8 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sgt Mike Ritter (approx. 0.9 miles away); Norman No. 1 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Actual Site of Norman No. 1 (approx. 1.3 miles away); World War Homefront and Neodesha Cemetery Association Founders Memorial Pavilion (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Neodesha.
Also see . . .
1. History of Neodesha, Kansas. City website entry (Submitted on July 18, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. American Legion Baseball in Kansas. Repaired broken link; 02/08/2022 LPG. (Submitted on July 18, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2012
2. Dutch Lorbeer Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2012
3. Dutch Lorbeer Ballpark Sign
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2012
4. Dutch Lorbeer Ballpark
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2012
5. Dutch Lorbeer Ballpark
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
