Saturday, March 12, 2011

Kenosha Merchants U14 at Simmons Field for 2011

Kenosha's Simmons Field (located at 7817 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, WI) formerly was home to the Midwest League's Kenosha Twins from 1985-1992, but the most famous team to call Kenosha home was the Kenosha Comets of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943-51. Simmons Field, built in the early 1930s, became home to professional baseball once again with the arrival of the former DuBois County Dragons franchise after the 2002 season.
In 2007, ownership of Simmons Field was transferred from the Kenosha Parks Department to the Kenosha Unified School District. The district has since leased the field to the Kenosha Simmons Baseball Organization (KSBO), a non-profit group working to upgrade and restore the stadium. Initial improvements included a rebuilt infield, which was completed in the fall of 2007, and a new electronic scoreboard behind left field.

Today, Simmons Field continues to be called home by various Kenosha recreational and amateur baseball teams, including the Kenosha Merchants.

Despite its changes through the years, Simmons Field retains its classic feel. The historic grandstand behind home plate looks much like it did during the days of the AAGPBL and still evokes memories of the baseball greats who played in front of it. Indeed, Simmons Field is believed to be the last remaining field in its original configuration from the days of the AAGPBL.

Take a seat in the genuine wood box seats, listen to a train running on the tracks adjacent to right field, and you will feel yourself in an unmistakable old-time baseball atmosphere.

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