The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-05-12

Lewis f1elu, tue nduUSOme Slh' VI
DIR. w. F. Lewis of Oakland, CAY, to
the Y. M. c. A. of this city, was
duly and formally dedicated to the
uses for which it was intended Sat
urday afternoon, during the inter
mission between two games OF base :
ball. The dedicatory words were
spoken by George M. Palmer, a MEM
Der of the board OF directors of the
Y. NJ. c. A.
A large number of people assem-
bled on the new grounds, which are
handy to the street car track, and
very desirably located in every way.
AS yet, only temporary seating, has
been put in, but later on no doubt
funds will be found in some way
whereby grandstand can be erect
ed. With the new scheme Of i'm
proving Sibley park, the grandstand
that is located there now, and which
was erected there when the fair
grounds were located there. will be
somewhat out of place.
What City Could Do.
It would be a gracious act on the
part of the city to donate this grand
stand to the Y. M. c. A. for Lewis
Field. 1t could easily be torn down
and removed and put up again, at
slight cost. Then, with the purchase
Of about sixty feet more ground on
the north side, to be added to the
field, the latter would be large
enough for all possible needs. 1t is
now $50 feet wide by $50 feet long.
The first base comes close to the
fence. With more room, the ball
games could be played with a little
more freedom, and there would be
plenty Of room for the grand stand
and bleechers. AS far as the funds
at the command of the association
have permitted, the very best posi-
Bile use has been made of them, a
substantial fence having been erect
ed entirely around the field. and
temporary seats erected, sufficient
for a limited attendance.
This field is bound to become one
Of the important factors of the city
in the growth and development of
the boys, and it will become a favor
lite place, almost as common a
household word as home or other
names dear to the hearts of all.
Dedication Address.
Secretary Deerhake introduced Mr..
Palmer. The latter spoke briefly but
pointedly. He told how the field
had been secured, and said that the
association, the city and the boys
were to be congratulated on the
opening of this field. The need of
such a place had been felt for long
time past, and the association had
been hampered in its work by not
having it. for there had been no
place to hold field sports and to do
other out of door work. Those in
terested had looked the city over,
and had found this spot, and had
believed it to be about the best in
the city for the purpose. 1t was
accessible and suitable for field
sports. 1t was owned by DR.. w. F.
Lewis, whom, while a resident here,
was one Of the substantial men of
the city, and still has large interests
here.
Matter Taken Up With Dr.. Lewis.
The matter had been taken up
with DR.. Lewis, and on his eightieth
birthday he had telegraphed the gift
OF the land, and had later enlarged
his offer. and this splendid field to-
day was what he had given. The
city owes a debt of gratitude to DR..
Lewis. 1t was hard to realize how
much good this field will be to the
city. All kinds of outside sport can
De carried on here, and under the
supervision of Physical Director ALI
Son will be until late in the fall
The field means a great deal to
the association, to the city and it
means clean sport, without obiec.
tionable features that are often at.
tached to it. There will be strenu.
GUS games played here, in which
DOTH sides will strive to win. A
good winner is to be commended
and Tor every winner there must be
loser. A good loser is equally to
be commended.
MI. Palmer congratulated the as.
ISOLATION and the young men of the
city on having this field. If the
sports are carried out as they should
De, DIR. Lewis will be abundantlv
rewarded. Director Allison is mt.
ting his best energy into the work
and the city should, and MIR. Palmer
believed that it would. support
him.
Previous to the dedication. a game
OF ball was played between the
Mankato Commercial college team
and the state normal school team
Inc latter was entirely outclassed
ana went down to defeat by score
OF thirty to seven, in a six inning
game.
Giants Laid Low.
After the dedication. first class
game was played between the Y. M
Z. A. team and the Amboy Giants.
The latter ran in two scores in the
nrst inning and put up such a snappv
game that it looked through the