Clinton, Iowa Baseball-- Part 1: LumberKings

A place to visit along the Lincoln Highway.

Whenever we visit Clinton, Iowa, during the summer, we like to go out to Alliant Field if the Clinton Lumber Kings are in town. Minor League baseball is the sport at its best before these guys become multi-millionaires if they are fortunate enough to get to the majors.

The prices are right, for seats, food and drinks. Free parking across the street and lots of between-inning entertainment as well as a hilarious public address system.

Organized professional baseball came to Clinton in 1895 in the Eastern Iowa League. In 1906, the Clinton Orphans of the Class D Iowa State League were representing the town.

Over the next several years the Infants, Teddies and Pilots played at the old Ringwood Park. (Where did they come up with the first two names. Hardly awe-inspiring.)

Riverview Stadium was built in 1937 as a Works Progress Administration project. The Clinton Owls, a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate played the inaugural season. In 2002,the name of the stadium was changed to Alliant Energy Field.

More to Come. --RoadDog