The sport that has received the moniker “America’s Pastime” has been embedded into Sapulpa history since township. Throughout Sapulpa’s history, it was not only High Schoolers that made the newspaper for their extracurricular activities, nor was the sport only for players being sponsored by local businesses. The businesses themselves had a lineup of players in their dugout. With that said, baseball is for every age and background.
This week in Sapulpa history in 1916, the town crowned two baseball champion teams.
With the end of the school year nearing, the schools of Washington, Woodlawn, Garfield, and Jefferson played for the championship. “The last half of the grade school baseball season was just begun.”
The first week of May 1916, Washington led the ranks with their series 3-1, whereas Woodlawn stood 2-1, Garfield 2-2, and Jefferson 1-2.
On May 12, 1916, the winner was crowned. “They have five games to their credit with one game against them,” ending their season with a record 5-1 over the other teams. “Due credit should be given to the principals of the schools for the way they organized and retained the league which has been the seat of much rivalry between the schools for the last two months.”
The players were Homer Stevens, pitcher; Bronson Gibson; Morgan Myers; 3rd; R. Desmukes, 1st; Teddy Langford, short-stop; James Hood, left-fielder; Jack Stone, Sub.; Kenneth Ellison, right-fielder; Robert Heart, catcher; Lawrence Page; Ernest Atchley, 2nd; Ernest Terry, center-field; Smith; C. Caywood; Birge; Pritchett; Deason; Thompson; Caywood; Dyer; and Combs.
“The Woodlawn School won in the final baseball game of this season, making them champions of the Sapulpa School League for this season.” In second place, Washington was defeated in the champion game, ending their season.
Later that week, May 18, 1916, the local businesses and organizations’ baseball teams held their own championship game.
“Extra police reserves to be called out. This is a most serious matter.”
The championship game would be hosted at the Steel Mill park. The Steel & Iron Mills were off South Main in Southern Heights. “The baseball game that is to decide the momentous question will be held promptly at three o’clock Thursday afternoon at the steel mill park and every man, woman, and child in Sapulpa is going to be on hand when those two organizations cross bat and banter balls.”
The game was set for the Court House versus the Bankers.
The lineup for the Court House team were: D. Ausmus, pitcher; W.J. Cole, catcher; Lew Wilder, 1st; H. Robertson, 2nd; Ed Payne, 3rd; Gus Corey, short-stop; Ray McElhinney, right-fielder; C.C. Collins, center-fielder; R.M. Holcomb, left-fielder; with C.W. Dunbar, L.E. Steck, and Peg Steck as substitutes.
The lineup for the Banker team were: C.J. Benson, pitcher; Dave Miller, catcher; W.E. Brown, 1st; L.B. Jackson, 2nd; G.A. Mitchell, 3rd; H.C. Hughes, short-stop; H.A. McCauley, right-fielder; R.K. Phipps, center-fielder; Bud Pickett, left-fielder; with Jim Berry, H.F. Mitchell, and W.S. Bunting as substitutes.
“The feeling between the bankers ball team and the court house bunch over the question of who is champion bag stealers in Sapulpa has reached a point that will necessitate the calling out of the reserves by the police force of the city and probably a platoon consisting of three deputy sheriffs and the ‘Tarr babies’ will have to be detailed to guard the more aggressive players.”
It was a tough match, however, the game ended early. It wasn’t deemed the “run-rule” at the time, however, it was the case for this game. The game ended in the 7th inning.
“The game between the court house gang and the thirty percent experts ended in the seventh inning with the scores at that mysterious number…The score stood 18 to 7 at the end of the seventh inning.”
At the end, the Court House defeated the Bankers. The two players that stood out for the Court House team were Ausmus as pitcher, striking out 8 players, and Payne as left-fielder hitting two home runs. “Too much of Ausmus for the Bankers” to handle.
“The real reason why the game was called was because C.J. Benson got tired of chasing three baggers and home runs down to the edge of the creek in left field. The court house men were also very tired after running around the bases so often and were perfectly willing to quit.”
Baseball is not only an American pastime but is also a Sapulpa historical event.
(Sapulpa Herald, May 3, 1916, May 12, 1916, May 13, 1916, May 16, 1916, May 19, 1916)
