Barons And Monarchs Go 10 Scoreless Frames; Game Called In The 11th After Melee

Huge thanks to John Holway for funding research that led to the following game summary being found in the June 7 Birmingham News:

The Black Barons and Kansas City Monarchs "battled" for 10 scoreless innings in their all-important series at Rickwood last night, and the game was called near midnight after numerous protested decisions and near fist fights between the players.

The Monarchs reached Schoolboy Newberry for seven hits last night. (Herb) Souell and (John) Scott got two each. Piper Davis got two of the Barons five hits off (Hilton) Smith, Monarchs hurler.

The protests last night came on the ball and strike decisions of Umpire Moore. The Monarchs scored one run in the first of the 11th on two hits. The Barons were threatening in their half when another protested decision led to a clash between Piper Davis and (Chico) Renfroe, Monarch catcher. Players flocked to join the melee and the game reverted to the 10th and was called with no decision.

Monarchs Sweep Double Header In Birmingham

Rickwood Field, date unknown (source)

Rickwood Field, 2004 (source)

After a 660 mile trip from Chicago, the Monarchs climbed off the bus in Birmingham to meet the Black Barons for a double header on June 3 at Rickwood Field. (Rickwood is the oldest surviving park in the country, built in 1910.) The Monarchs took both ends. From the June 8 Kansas City Call:

Coming from behind with a five-run rally in their half of the sixth inning, the Kansas City Monarchs overcame the Birmingham Black Barons early lead of four runs and went on to win the opening game of a doubleheader here Sunday, June 3 by a 9-7 score. The Kansas Citians made a clean sweep of the twin bill by taking the second game, a seven inning affair, by a 4-3 score. First baseman (Lee) Moody of the Monarchs, with two triples and a single drove in all of the Monarchs second game runs.

First baseman Lee Moody's bat was hot as could be early in '45 (source)

Lefty LaMarque started the first and was relieved by Booker McDaniels. Steve Wylie and Jack Matchett hurled in the second game. Jackie went 2-for-5 with two runs in the first game.

From here the Monarchs were to tour with the Barons through Montgomery, New Orleans, back to Birmingham, and Nashville during the work week. I unfortunately have no report for those games.

Sunday Doubleheader in Birmingham

April 14, 1945 Chicago Defender

After making the 640 mile trek from Dallas to Birmingham, the Monarchs met the Birmingham Black Barons for a Sunday double header on April 8 at Rickwood Field. The Monarchs took the first game 7-0, and the Chicago Defender reported that "Jackie Robinson had a big day afield and at bat in this game. He drove in the first pair of Monarch runs with a line drive to left center." This is the first box score I have from 1945 spring training. Jackie shows up with a 2-4 line at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base in the first game. A box was not published for the second game, which the Monarchs dropped 0-2.

From here, the Monarchs were to play two games for which I haven't found results: April 9 & 10 vs. Birmingham Black Barons in Montgomery, AL.