The History File: Industrial Leagues

Riverview was home to the Industrial League

By Bob Dalrymple (originally published in the 1987 Game Program)

Riverview Stadium was just a few years old when World War II loomed on the horizon. Only the major leagues and one or two of the high minor leagues continued operation. All other minor league clubs suspended action. This included the Three I League, and Clinton's Giants. Local industry representatives determined that Clinton baseball fans would not be deprived of their favorite pastime during the summer months. An association was formed called Clinton Sports Association, Inc., with Rodney Fitch as the President. A baseball league was formed from seven local industries, with games to be played in the Stadium during twilight hours, and if sufficient interest was evidenced, it was agreed that it would be possible to play some games under floodlights.

The first team sponsors were: Clinton Company (now ADM), Curtis Co. Inc., Collis Co., Clinton Bridge and Iron Works, E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Central Steel Tube Co. and the Savanna Ordnance Depot Officers School. Rosters were open to all company employees, and many area high school and college players, as well as veterans of American Legion and semi-pro ball attended the tryouts. Many of these players performed in the league both before and after their military service. The Opening Day of the Clinton Industrial League was scheduled for June 1, 1942 at 6:30 pm. Each team played a 14-game schedule in June, July and August of that year. All of the players were employed in vital war-related occupations in the various essential industries, on a three shift, 24-hour basis, and the juggling of lineups to field teams was a continual problem for the managers. The winner of the pennant in the initial 1942 season was Clinton Bridge and Iron Works. All-Star squads were selected from the league teams each year, for a post-season game at the end of the season at Labor Day. In 1942 the All-Stars played a strong team from the military base at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., losing 5-3. In 1944 the All-Stars defeated the Davenport Blackhawks 3-2. In other years the All-Star squads squared off against the Industrial League Champion of that year. All of these post-season games were played to a capacity house, and regular league games also drew very well, as the many employees of the industries supported their favorites and the competition between the plants became very heated.

Without the protection that the present dike system provides, games during the summer were frequently postponed due to high water, and the river did completely overflow Riverview Stadium in June of 1943 and June of 1944, when a high water mark of 18.5 feet was recorded, forcing postponements and rescheduling. Schick General Hospital, which had been under construction in 1942, fielded an excellent team comprised of military personnel attached to the Hospital, in time for the 1943 season. Many of the Schick players as well as the Savanna Ordnance team members, were veterans of play in the high minor leagues before their entry into the service. The DuPont Company won the Championship in 1943, and Schick Hospital won in both 1944 and 1945. In 1946, with the war over, Pillsbury Mills replaced Schick in the eight team league and Central Steel Tube Co. won the Championship, defeating Clinton Industries in a best-of-three playoff.

In 1947 the Stadium had a dual use, as both the Industrial League and the Clinton Cubs, now an entry of the Central Association, shared the Stadium, as professional ball returned to Clinton. The Industrial League played afternoons and on Sunday. When the Cubs played on Sunday afternoon, the Industrial teams played at night. Once again all June games had to be cancelled due to rain, and Central Steel won the 1947 Championship with a 12-3 record. 1947 proved to be the last season for the Industrial League. It had served its purpose by providing a fine caliber of baseball for the local fans, and the problems created by both the pros and the Industrials playing in the same park, were just too many to overcome to the satisfaction of both groups.

After the League disbanded, many of the All-Star players banded together. One portion of them re-grouped as the Camanche Indians once again, while the Clinton Players operated for several more years under the auspices of Clinton Industries, or the Collis Company, with their final name change being the Clinton Independents.

As the Independents, they once again played semi-pro ball against the surrounding town teams and played in both the Iowa and Illinois State Semi-Pro Tournaments. The Independents also brought into Riverview Stadium some of the top touring teams of that time, including the Tama Indians, the Indianapolis Clowns, the Arkansas Hillbillies and the Chicago Black Barons and many others. Many of the Industrial League players wound up their careers with teams in the Cornbelt League or the Illowa League, and many who started in the Industrial League went on to play a few seasons in the lower minor league classifications. No organization since has filled such a need, generated such enthusiasm, or produced so many quality ball players, as the Clinton Industrial League of the '40's.