Barnstorming and Breaking Barriers: Indianapolis Clowns return to former home this weekend
By Steven Albritton
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CINCINNATI (WLWT) — History has a funny way of repeating itself. This weekend, it’s happening with the return of the Clowns, a Negro Leagues team with their own tricks and hijinks brought back to life for the world to see.
On Friday, they’re returning back to Cincinnati.
“Not just great players, but great entertainers. This is a great example of history coming back again,” explained Rick Walls, the executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, of this weekend’s Savannah Bananas visit to Great American Ball Park.
Their opponent? The Indianapolis Clowns, a “new” team with deep ties to baseball barnstorming history.
In 1943, a Negro Leagues franchise out of Miami lands in Cincinnati. Home base? Historic Crosley Field.
Walls says this weekend’s represents more than just the return of a name.
“The Bananas have honored the Clowns by creating a team, when really, the Clowns probably were the precursor to Banana Ball.”
Shadow ball. Oversized gloves. Anything to bring the crowds and entertain.
“It’s been a long time since the 1940s, but to see them in some new form, it’s not the same, but in a new form here playing Banana Ball, I think it’s special,” said Wells. “They could travel around and barnstorm the entire country and make baseball, really, the entertainment that it is today.
“Yes, it’s baseball, but it’s also entertainment for all of us.”
At the Reds Hall of Fame, in the Pursuit of a Dream exhibit, is a tribute to the Negro Leagues. From the Cincinnati Tigers to the Cincinnati, now Indianapolis, Clowns, and the legends of the game.
“Negro Leagues baseball history is just part of that inspiration that we try to provide for everyone that comes through here,” said Wells. “It was the Clowns who led to an opening for Chuck Harmon.
“Chuck breaks the barrier, lives in Cincinnati forever, and becomes one of our great ambassadors to the team.”
Wells says the Reds wouldn’t be who they are if it weren’t for the fan base in Cincinnati: For the Reds, for the Negro Leagues teams and back to the first professional team in 1869.
The Clowns didn’t just break barriers in the game itself, but also on the roster. The Clowns had the first three women to play professional baseball.
If you’re headed to Great American Ball Park this weekend, be on the lookout for a name you probably remember from her run in the 2014 Little League World Series: Mo’Ne Davis.
Davis is suiting up and will pitch for the Clowns.
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