Attending a game at America’s most historic Minor League ballpark

In early 1946, baseball prospect Jackie Robinson arrived in Florida for his maiden spring training with the Montreal Royals – the minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers whom he had signed a contract with the year before.

In a state where racially-based segregation was still very much enforced, Robinson’s debut season got off to a false start. The Dodgers were set to play exhibitions at locations across Florida, but the cities of Sanford, Jacksonville, and DeLand all
refused to allow mixed-race athletic activities to take place within their jurisdiction.

Eventually, it was the city of Daytona Beach who allowed Robinson (and fellow Royals prospect Johnny Wright) to play an integrated game. Robinson made his Royals debut at Daytona Beach’s City Island Ballpark on 17 March 1946.

The following season, Robinson would become the first black ballplayer to feature in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1884, as he started at first base for the Dodgers against the Boston Braves on 15 April 1947.

Scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as the Dodgers opened with victory, though, was almost inconsequential to what his achievement meant to so many black ballplayers and fans – breaking the colour barrier in America’s pastime.

Despite a number of recent renovations, The Jack has kept its historic charm

Renamed in his honour in 1990, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the oldest Minor League Baseball (MiLB) stadium still in use today. The ballpark is currently home to the Single-A Cincinnati Reds affiliate, Daytona Tortugas, who participate in the Florida State League.

As celebrated as Robinson’s triumph against adversity to forge one of the world’s most storied sporting careers is, it seems this 4,200-seater ballpark – which played such a key role in his emergence – has gone rather underappreciated. At least, that’s what it felt like when I made the pilgrimage to ‘The Jack’ recently.

Owing to the previous day’s storm postponement, the Tortugas were set to play a doubleheader of two shorter, seven-inning games against the visiting Tampa Tarpons that evening.

The earlier start meant that the ballpark was essentially empty at first pitch, with most of the regulars presumably still at work. This did, though, give me ample time to appreciate the beauty of this particular ballpark. Of the few I have been to – both major league stadia in New York City and Chicago, and those of Houston, Tampa Bay, and minor leaguers Charlotte – this one was up there with the best.

Despite a number of recent renovations, The Jack has kept its historic charm: the grandstand is still wooden; the scoreboard is still manually-operated; and a statue of Robinson at the main gate welcomes fans inside.

Best of all, it was ‘Thirsty Thursday’, and The Jack boasted a fantastic range of locally-brewed lagers and ales for fans to enjoy at half-price.

It wasn’t such a memorable evening for the Tortugas, who were swept by the Tarpons in a doubleheader that was again threatened by typical Floridian thunderstorms. However, after an extensive rain delay, the second game was completed to send me home very content indeed.

I was advised that you simply don’t support a MiLB side

When I chose the Triple-A Norfolk Tides of Norfolk, Virginia as my favourite baseball side last year (owing to the ‘support your local’ rhetoric among football fanbases here in the United Kingdom), I was met with bemused looks from my American friends – far more seasoned
baseball aficionados than myself.

I was advised that you simply don’t support a MiLB side. They are there solely to develop players for their major league affiliates, and can be ditched to go bust at any given moment.

Yet, there was something so magical about being in a MiLB ballpark that is built on and serves its immediate local community. As I have always experienced supporting my local side, Norwich City, such a community feel is celebrated in the English lower football leagues – but it isn’t enjoyed so much over there.

With Major League Baseball (MLB) now keenly celebrating the history of black athletes – those who were denied entry into the majors regardless of their talent – it would be fitting to see thousands of fans flock into The Jack like they did at Rickwood Field last year.

However, given the apparent animosity of baseball’s big dogs towards MiLB – as seen with the ruthless cutting of forty-three minor league affiliate teams in 2021 to make way for restructuring – this may be too much to ask.