Negro League Baseball Discussion Forum: Negro League Teams – Information Exchange: Domed baseball in early 1900's
By Diane Strothers (Destrothers) on Tuesday, April 6, 1999 – 05:39 pm:
In the early 1900's in West Baden,IN,a group of
negro waiters played baseball under a dome. The
West Baden Springs Hotel, in West Baden,IN was home to the West Baden Sprudells. The extremely affluent hotel, hosted politicians, movie stars, and gangsters. After the negro waiters served the meals, they donned baseball uniforms, and played baseball as entertainment for the varied hotel guests. The hotel, built in 1901 has over 500 rooms around the central dome which is 200 feet in diameter, and 110 feet high. In 1910 my grandfather, Sam Strothers played for the Sprudells. He also played for the Leland Giants, the Chicago American Giants, and the Chicago Union Giants. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows more about the Sprudells, before they became the Indianiapolis ABCs.
By Forum Administrator (Admin) on Tuesday, April 6, 1999 – 05:53 pm:
I have heard about the "dome" before, but I've never been quite sure just what type of dome it might have been. What was it made of? How big was it?
If anyone should have a photo of the dome or the West Baden Springs Hotel, it would be great if they could post a scan of it here.
BTW, Sam Strothers was the everyday catcher for the Chicago Giants from 1913 to 1916.