top of page
Historic PICO Field
Minch Park - Parkesburg, Pa
1916-1926
Photo provided by Mr. Bud Wilde - personal collection. | PICO Field circa. 1919
THE IRONMEN'S HISTORY @ PICO FIELD
During the 1900s, many towns had their own ball clubs and Parkesburg, Pa was no different. Horace Beale Jr, President of the local Parkesburg Iron Company and sports enthusiast, invested in a ballpark that met Major league standards. His team would play host to greats like Babe Ruth, Ty Cob,Casey Stengel, and the 1919 World Champion Cincinnati Reds and many more. Beale entered into an industrial league where they played the New York, Baltimore, and Camden Dry Docks, Bethlehem Steel, Klein Chocolates, and many more. He would also play various teams in the Negro leagues as well as previously mentioned Major League teams like the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics & Phillies, Boston Redsox, and more.
Photo provided by Mr. Bud Wilde - personal collection. | "The Argument" Baltimore Dry Docks visiting the Iron Men; circa 1919
Photo provided by Mr. Bud Wilde - personal collection. | Swinging for the fences during a home game. Circa. 1920
HALL OF FAMERS THAT PLAYED AT PICO FIELD
On August 20, 1918 before a sold out crowd, Ty Cobb pitched two innings against the PICO Ironmen in a very close 4-0 game. Later that day they would lose 2-1 to the Philadelphia Athletics, lead by legendary coach Connie Mack.
When the Ironmen hosted the 1919 Cincinnati Reds, young Eddie Roush played and would go on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.
Hall of famers Lou Santop, John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, Martin "El Maestro" Dihigo, "Smokey" Joe Williams, Oscar Charleston, Benjamin "Old Reliable" Taylor, James "Biz" Mackey and Judy Johnson played at PICO field regularly and went on from the Negro leagues to have amazing careers and have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Negro League Hall of Fame. Over 30 Hall of Famers played at PICO FIELD!
TITUS TOURNAMENTS
One location that the TITUS Tournament series is held is on this exact ball diamond. Players today have a chance to field on the same dirt that these hall of famers did over 100 years ago! What an experience. We hope to see you there!
bottom of page