Local landmark Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field marks its 100th anniversary this year. The park originally opened on April 22, 1926, back when it was known as Municipal Athletic Field. Construction cost $75,000 at the time — equivalent to roughly $1.36 to $1.42 million today. Its first game was an exhibition game between the Williamsport Grays and Bucknell University. The field also played host to other events ranging from boxing and wrestling to football and Negro League teams like the Harrisburg Giants. Today the park serves as the home of the MLB Draft League team the Williamsport Crosscutters and host of the Annual MLB Little League Classic.
On July 28th, the Ballpark hosted its Bowman Field Founder’s Night. Sponsored by Jack McKernan and Williamsport Moving Co., the park celebrated its founders. In past issues of the Webb Weekly, Jack McKernan had put out an ad seeking family members of the park’s initial founders. The recognized founders included N.B. Bubb, J.W. Bowman, S.V. Brown, E.H. Maitland, A.P. Perley, Harry Bressler, W.L. Barclay, GEO F. Erdman, Thos. M. Gray, A.G. Smith, N.P. Wilson, J.B. Emery, D.D. Kline, M.L. Lindheimer, C.W. Sones, M.A. Jaffee, Edgar Munson, J. Charles Steele, W.C. Riley, V.C Luppert, E.S. Bullock, L.W. Gleason. To commemorate the occasion, the first 1,000 fans received a replica of the stock certificate belonging to Allen P. Perley.
Founder’s Night held extra meaning for my dad and me. As descendants of C.W. Sones, we both attended the game and took part in the pre-game ceremonies. Along with descendants of the other founders, we were all invited onto the field in recognition of those who established a legacy that endures today. The last time I had been at the stadium was when the team was still the Williamsport Cubs — how time flies!
The Cutters played the West Virginia Black Bears with 1,011 visitors packing the stadium.
Both teams played hard and had pitchers throwing balls at 90 mph.
In the 2nd inning, Jack Kail singled and stole 2nd. In the 3rd, Nick Romano reached base safely, with James McCoy hitting a two-run home run on a line drive to left-center field, putting Cutters up by 3. In the 6th inning, the Bears’ Noah Jouras walked with Kevin Jones and Ben Barrett hitting back-to-back singles, loading the bases. Ian Collier hit a two-run double to Cutters left fielder Chris Stanfield. The Bears would claw their way back with Ben Barrett scoring, tying Cutters in the top of the 6th. In the top of the 8th, Bears’ Cole Kitchen grounded into a double play with second baseman Jack Kail to shortstop Sam DeCarlo to first baseman Jake Zitella, Ian Collier out at 2nd, and Cole Kitchens out at 1st, making for 3 outs. In the 8th inning, the Cutters cut the Bears’ lead with Chris Stanfield and Jake Zitella scoring two more runs. Cutters carved out the win with a final score of 5-3.
Not even the storm clouds that loomed large could diminish the enthusiasm of fans or the beauty of the stadium lit up at night.
Today Bowman Field stands proudly as the 9th oldest active professional baseball stadium and the 2nd-oldest minor league ballpark in the US. It’s a legacy that everyone is a part of. From the ground crew that works to prepare the stadium and field, the ushers directing fans to their seats, ticket office staff, security, and countless other employees, and the fans themselves.
Of course, who could forget Boomer and the “Official Director of Smiles” Rashan West-Bey, who greets fans and sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th-inning stretch.
I would like to extend a thank you to Jack McKernan for sponsoring Founder’s Night and to Vice President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi and all the Cutters staff for putting together such a memorable night. Here’s hoping Bowman Field is around for another 100 years to remind us to root, root, root for the home team.
Go Cutters!
