Baseball In Sugar Land!

(Update) Roland Rodriguez (SLHS '50) will throw out the ceremonial first pitch!

August 9th is 'Turn Back The Clock Night' at Constellation Park. You'll see more information at the bottom of this post, but the theme of the event is a celebration of Sugar Land's baseball history.  What better way to start some buzz (pardon the Skeeters pun) than posting some historic photos?

A little background: Sugar Land had two amateur baseball teams in the 1950s, both sponsored by Imperial.  The Imperials were predominately Hispanic; the Tigers were predominately African-American, although both teams became multiracial over time.  As you'll see, the Tigers were very successful in 1953 & '54.

July 1953

August 1953

July 1954

July 1954

July 1954

A note about Sugar Land's West End Ballpark. As the name implies, it was located on the west side of town off old Imperial Boulevard -- across Oyster Creek beyond the right-field wall of Constellation Park. 

I've learned recently that there were two locations, but I haven't determined when the change occurred.  This previous posting shows the first location on what is now Nalco property.  I think Imperial moved the field when they sold that property to Nalco (then Visco), so they could expand their plant. 

The next location was directly north of the old location between Imperial Boulevard and Oyster Creek.  It stayed in this spot well into the '70s or '80s.

Back to August 9th.  Here's the text of today's press release:

The Sugar Land Skeeters and  Sugar Land Heritage Foundation (SLHF) are pleased to announce that the August 9th game with the Long Island Ducks will be a "Turn Back the Clock Night".  The SLHF has been researching old pictures in an effort to help the Skeeters in designing uniforms for the game.  Jerseys will have the look of the earlier eras of baseball.  Old pictures and other items reminiscent of the past will be a part of the evening.  

There will be a silent auction of the jerseys worn by the players that night, with proceeds going to support SLHF programs.  More details of the auction will be available at the game that evening.  This is a great chance to get a one-of-a-kind jersey.  Successful bidders will be able to get their pictures taken with the respective players, as well as getting the players to autograph the jerseys purchased by the winning bidder. 

This is a regular season game, so your season tickets are good for the game.  Additional tickets will be available for the game via the Skeeters' website: Buy Tickets Here.  (Enter Promotion Code: SLHF)

Dennis Parmer, SLHF Executive Director, said, "This is going to be a lot of fun.  It will be a great night of baseball with an old timey theme.  SLHF would like to thank the Fluor Corporation, First Southwest Company, and Bob & Carole Brown for their help in sponsoring this event."If you like history and baseball, this night has both, including baseball history from right here in Sugar Land.   The entire theme of the night will involve old school baseball; it is a night I have really been looking forward to," said Ira Liebman, "Voice of the Sugar Land Skeeters".
 

OUR MISSION STATEMENT  To inspire community pride by collecting, preserving, communicating, and celebrating the history of Sugar Land, Texas. Click here to sign up for our newsletter: http://www.slheritage.org/heritage_foundation_newsletter.html

Sugar Land Heritage Foundation
198 Kempner Street
Sugar Land, Texas 77498