The Fruitland Sluggers Baseball Team
DEVRIES, STANSBERRY, STROUSE, NICKLAS, TOMFELD, FRY
Posted By: Bob DeVries (email)
Date: 8/12/2004 at 17:23:11
Looking for information about the Fruitland, Iowa town baseball team. Circa 1910
A year or so ago I came into possession of a copy the January 28, 1989 edition of the Muscatine Journal. It included a “Scrapbook” section which highlighted historical places, events and social activities of an by gone age. The Scrapbook included a photograph of an old-time baseball team, circa 1910, entitled the “Fruitland Sluggers.” It listed the names of the players and much to my surprise; it included my Dad and a couple of his brothers. Albert, Jake and Henry DeVries who lived with their family in Grandview, Iowa about that time.
The other players listed are as follows: Glen Stansberry, “Brownie”, Rueben Strouse, Ed Nicklas, John Tomfeld, Tom Fell (Manager), Deb Fry and Fred Tomfeld.Endeavoring to obtain a copy to the photograph:
The photograph was courtesy of the Louisa County Historical Society. I was in the area in 2003 and paid a visit to the Louisa County Historical Society to see if I could make a copy of the photo. I met with Mr. Kenny Mc Chesney (who is with the Society); he helped me look through the photos on display but couldn’t find the photo in question. He was gracious enough to offer to ask the staff of volunteers to look through their archives in an effort to find the photo of the Fruitland Sluggers. He called me in a few weeks to report that it was nowhere to be found. I thank him and the staff at the Louisa County Historical Society very much for their efforts. It’s possible that it remains in the files of the Muscatine Journal and through oversight never returned. I’ve attempted to contact someone who would help locate the photo at the Muscatine Journal several times over the last year, left a message each time, but as of this writing received no answer.
I’ll be glad to hear from anyone that has information about this team. Such as: Were they in a league? Were they a pick up team that played other towns in the area? When were they formed and how long were the together? Were they considered a good team or the doormat of the league? Does anyone have or know of any newspaper articles reporting the team’s activities? I’m interested in information like that or just any tid-bit would be welcome.
Thank you for your help.
Bob DeVries
3208 Stratford Hall CT
Las Vegas, Nevada 89135
Phone: 702-360-3410
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