Marsh Field has been home to Muskegon Baseball for nearly 100 years. Charles W. Marsh purchased four square blocks of property in the center of town at the corner of Peck Street and Laketon Avenue in February of 1916.

The architect firm of Harry Boyle & Company of Evansville, Indiana was given the contract to design the modern era baseball facility. Charles W. Marsh contracted Nelson & Mayson to build the grandstand and so was the beginning of baseball at Marsh Field. The park would not only provide a fully equipped grandstand and baseball field, but part of the property would serve as a combination children’s playground and picnic area.

On May 4, 1916 the Muskegon Reds played the first game at Marsh Field against the Terre Haute Highlanders. Since that time, many baseball teams have called Marsh Field home. Teams like the Reds, the Clowns, the Clippers, the Lassies, the Zephyrs and the Muskegon high school Big Reds. Prep summer teams like Durham Chiropractic and the Muskegon ChannelCats have also enjoyed playing at this old diamond.

In 2010, a group of citizens led by Len Piasecki and Pete Gawkowski took over the operation of the field from the City of Muskegon, and developed the Lakeshore Baseball Club. This public-private partnership has garnered positive media attention and praise throughout the community.

Negro League History and Marsh Field

              Muskegon Clippers 1950 Frank Barnes                     Muskegon Clippers 1950 Elston Howard

The Muskegon Clippers were a farm team of the New York Yankees. Frank Barnes and Elston Howard were the first African

American players signed by the Yankee organizations. Frank Barnes played one season in Muskegon. Elston Howard played

2 seasons at Marsh Field for the Clippers. Howard later in his baseball career went on to play for theYankees and was their

starting catcher. Frank Barnes was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals and had a short career as a pitcher in the majors for

the Cardinals.

Chicago Brown Bombers, Philadelphia Hilldales, Memphis Red Sox, Knoxville Grays

Little Rock Travelers, Detroit TAC, Detroit Stars, East Chicago Giants

Indianapolis Colored Cardinals, Toledo Negro Cubs, New York Cubans

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