Bosse Field: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Baseball stadium in Evansville, Indiana}}
{{short description|Baseball stadium in Evansville, Indiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Bosse Field
| name = Bosse Field
| nickname =  
| nickname =  
| image = Bosse Field, Evansville, Indiana.jpg
| image = Bosse Field, Evansville, Indiana.jpg
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| location = 23 Don Mattingly Way <br> [[Evansville, Indiana]] 47711
| location = 23 Don Mattingly Way <br> [[Evansville, Indiana]] 47711
| coordinates =  
| coordinates =  
| publictransit = {{rint|bus|1}} [[Metropolitan Evansville Transit System|METS]]
| public_transit = {{rint|bus|1}} [[Metropolitan Evansville Transit System|METS]]
| opened = June 17, 1915<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="Ethridge" />
| opened = June 17, 1915<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="Ethridge" />
| renovated =  
| renovated =  
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| former_names =  
| former_names =  
| tenants = [[Evansville Otters]] ([[Frontier League|FL]]) 1995–present<br>[[Bosse Field#Former/current professional teams|List of previous tenants]]
| tenants = [[Evansville Otters]] ([[Frontier League|FL]]) 1995–present<br>[[Bosse Field#Former/current professional teams|List of previous tenants]]
| seating_capacity = 7,180 (1915–1958) <br />5,181 (1958–present) (at least 8,000 with standing room)
| seating_capacity = 7,180 (1915–1958) <br />5,181 (1958–present)<ref name="capacity" />
| record_attendance = 8,253 (July 24, 2013)
| record_attendance = 8,253 (July 24, 2013)<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Valenti |first1=Maggie |title=A Swing and a Hit |magazine=Evansville Living Magazine |date=March 17, 2025 |url=https://www.evansvilleliving.com/a-swing-and-a-hit/ |access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref>
| dimensions = Left field – {{convert|315|ft}} <br> Center field – {{convert|415|ft}} <br> Right field – {{convert|315|ft}}
| dimensions = Left field – {{convert|315|ft}} <br> Center field – {{convert|415|ft}} <br> Right field – {{convert|315|ft}}
}}
}}


'''Bosse Field''' is a [[Ballpark|baseball stadium]] located in [[Evansville, Indiana]] seating 5,181 people, but with picnic area and standing room it can hold more than 8,000 people. Opened in 1915, it was the first municipally owned sports stadium in the United States and is the third-oldest ballpark still in regular use for professional baseball, surpassed only by [[Fenway Park]] (1912) in [[Boston]] and [[Wrigley Field]] (1914) in [[Chicago]].<ref name="Facts">{{cite web|title=Bosse Field Facts |publisher=Evansville Otters |url=http://www.evansvilleotters.com/bosse_field.html |access-date=2008-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705054531/http://www.evansvilleotters.com/bosse_field.html |archive-date=2008-07-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Ethridge">{{cite news |last=Ethridge |first=Tim |date= 2015-03-08 |title=ETHRIDGE: 100 on 100, the history of Bosse Field |url=http://www.courierpress.com/columnists/tim-ethridge/ethridge-100-on-100-the-history-of-bosse-field-ep-971521627-327211821.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218032050/http://www.courierpress.com/columnists/tim-ethridge/ethridge-100-on-100-the-history-of-bosse-field-ep-971521627-327211821.html |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2016-02-17 }}</ref><ref name="Engelhardt">{{cite news |last=Engelhardt |first=Gordon |date=2015-06-17 |title=Bosse Field a comfortable Evansville fixture for 100 years |url=https://archive.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-a-comfortable-evansville-fixture-for-100-years-ep-1140193791-324669881.html/ |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Engelhardt2">{{cite news |last=Engelhardt |first=Gordon |date=2014-08-02 |title=Bosse Field still shines after all these years |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-still-shines-after-all-these-years-ep-532963495-325458291.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220061138/http://www.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-still-shines-after-all-these-years-ep-532963495-325458291.html |archive-date=2016-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-20 }}</ref><ref name="CVB">{{cite web |url=http://www.evansvillecvb.org/attractions/bosse-field |title=Bosse Field |website=Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218032726/http://www.evansvillecvb.org/attractions/bosse-field |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2016-02-17 }}</ref>
'''Bosse Field''' is a [[baseball stadium]] located in [[Evansville, Indiana]], seating 5,181 people.<ref name="capacity">{{cite web |title=Bosse Field |url=https://www.exploreevansville.com/listing/bosse-field/71/ |website=Explore Evansville |publisher=Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau |access-date=September 21, 2025 |language=en-us |quote=Spectator Capacity 5181}}</ref> Opened in 1915, it was the first municipally owned sports stadium in the United States and is the third-oldest ballpark still in regular use for professional baseball, surpassed only by [[Fenway Park]] (1912) in [[Boston]] and [[Wrigley Field]] (1914) in [[Chicago]].<ref name="Facts">{{cite web|title=Bosse Field Facts |publisher=Evansville Otters |url=http://www.evansvilleotters.com/bosse_field.html |access-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705054531/http://www.evansvilleotters.com/bosse_field.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Ethridge">{{cite news |last=Ethridge |first=Tim |date= March 8, 2015 |title=ETHRIDGE: 100 on 100, the history of Bosse Field |url=http://www.courierpress.com/columnists/tim-ethridge/ethridge-100-on-100-the-history-of-bosse-field-ep-971521627-327211821.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218032050/http://www.courierpress.com/columnists/tim-ethridge/ethridge-100-on-100-the-history-of-bosse-field-ep-971521627-327211821.html |archive-date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Engelhardt">{{cite news |last=Engelhardt |first=Gordon |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Bosse Field a comfortable Evansville fixture for 100 years |url=https://archive.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-a-comfortable-evansville-fixture-for-100-years-ep-1140193791-324669881.html/ |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Engelhardt2">{{cite news |last=Engelhardt |first=Gordon |date=August 2, 2014 |title=Bosse Field still shines after all these years |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-still-shines-after-all-these-years-ep-532963495-325458291.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220061138/http://www.courierpress.com/news/bosse-field-still-shines-after-all-these-years-ep-532963495-325458291.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="CVB">{{cite web |url=http://www.evansvillecvb.org/attractions/bosse-field |title=Bosse Field |website=Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218032726/http://www.evansvillecvb.org/attractions/bosse-field |archive-date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 }}</ref>


It is the home field of the [[Evansville Otters]] of the [[Frontier League]] (FL), as well as [[high school]] and [[American Legion baseball|American Legion]] games, and in the past hosted [[spring training]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]], college baseball, high school, college, and [[NFL]] football, college soccer, and concerts.<ref name="Ethridge" /><ref name="Engelhardt" /> Six [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] members played for Evansville teams at Bosse Field during their minor league careers, including [[Chuck Klein]], [[Hank Greenberg]], [[Warren Spahn]], [[Bob Uecker]], [[Bert Blyleven]] and [[Jack Morris]].<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="Engelhardt" /><ref name="Engelhardt2" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2015-04-29 |title=BOSSE FIELD: The all-time Evansville team |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/326486351.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218044408/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/326486351.html |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2016-02-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2015-05-19 |title=Can you name Bosse Field's 100 Hall of Famers? |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/can-you-name-bosse-fields-100-hall-of-famers-ep-1089757260-325481261.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218044156/http://www.courierpress.com/news/can-you-name-bosse-fields-100-hall-of-famers-ep-1089757260-325481261.html |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2016-02-17 }}</ref> The historic stadium was also used in 1991 by [[Columbia Pictures]] for filming numerous game scenes in the 1992 comedy-drama, ''[[A League of Their Own]].''<ref name="CVB" /><ref>{{cite web| title=A League of Their Own| publisher=The Internet Movie Database|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/| access-date=2008-12-01}}</ref>
It is the home field of the [[Evansville Otters]] of the [[Frontier League]] (FL), as well as [[high school]] and [[American Legion baseball|American Legion]] games, and in the past hosted [[spring training]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]], college baseball, high school, college, and [[NFL]] football, college soccer, and concerts.<ref name="Ethridge" /><ref name="Engelhardt" /> Six [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] members played for Evansville teams at Bosse Field during their minor league careers, including [[Chuck Klein]], [[Hank Greenberg]], [[Warren Spahn]], [[Bob Uecker]], [[Bert Blyleven]] and [[Jack Morris]].<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="Engelhardt" /><ref name="Engelhardt2" /><ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 2015 |title=BOSSE FIELD: The all-time Evansville team |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/326486351.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218044408/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/326486351.html |archive-date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 19, 2015 |title=Can you name Bosse Field's 100 Hall of Famers? |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/can-you-name-bosse-fields-100-hall-of-famers-ep-1089757260-325481261.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218044156/http://www.courierpress.com/news/can-you-name-bosse-fields-100-hall-of-famers-ep-1089757260-325481261.html |archive-date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 }}</ref> The historic stadium was also used in 1991 by [[Columbia Pictures]] for filming numerous game scenes in the 1992 comedy-drama, ''[[A League of Their Own]].''<ref name="CVB" /><ref>{{cite web| title=A League of Their Own| publisher=The Internet Movie Database|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/| access-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[Benjamin Bosse]], mayor of Evansville from 1914 to 1922, reached an agreement with Thomas Garvin's family shortly after taking office in January 1914 to purchase land on the north side of the city for a park. However, the city was in a deficit and could not afford the full $50,000 price. Mayor Bosse conceived of the plan to sell part of the land to the school board who would then build a new stadium to be used for school functions as well as Evansville's baseball team, of which Bosse was a co-owner. When the president of the school board opposed the plan, Bosse had him replaced with a friend, and the new school board both approved the project and also voted to name it Bosse Field in honor of the mayor. Construction was completed the following summer, and Bosse Field opened on June 17, 1915.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bosse |first=Jeff |date=2015-04-29 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Ben Bosse's grand idea |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-ben-bosses-grand-idea-ep-978341536-325502451.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220010616/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-ben-bosses-grand-idea-ep-978341536-325502451.html |archive-date=2016-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-18}}</ref> A [[Central League (baseball)|Central League]] record crowd of 8,082 fans attended the stadium dedication and opening game, a 4–0 Evansville victory.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-06-15 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Opening Day, 1915 |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-opening-day-1915-ep-1137936407-326106131.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220012820/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-opening-day-1915-ep-1137936407-326106131.html |archive-date=2016-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-18}}</ref> Evansville was in third place when they moved to Bosse Field, but went on to win the league championship in 1915.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Dave |date=2015-05-20 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Evansville's first home run |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-evansvilles-first-home-run-ep-1091495804-326176201.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220055109/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-evansvilles-first-home-run-ep-1091495804-326176201.html |archive-date=2016-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-18}}</ref>
[[Benjamin Bosse]], mayor of Evansville from 1914 to 1922, reached an agreement with Thomas Garvin's family shortly after taking office in January 1914 to purchase land on the north side of the city for a park. However, the city was in a deficit and could not afford the full $50,000 price. Mayor Bosse conceived of the plan to sell part of the land to the school board who would then build a new stadium to be used for school functions as well as Evansville's baseball team, of which Bosse was a co-owner. When the president of the school board opposed the plan, Bosse had him replaced with a friend, and the new school board both approved the project and also voted to name it Bosse Field in honor of the mayor. Construction was completed the following summer, and Bosse Field opened on June 17, 1915.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bosse |first=Jeff |date=April 29, 2015 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Ben Bosse's grand idea |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-ben-bosses-grand-idea-ep-978341536-325502451.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220010616/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-ben-bosses-grand-idea-ep-978341536-325502451.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> A [[Central League (baseball)|Central League]] record crowd of 8,082 fans attended the stadium dedication and opening game, a 4–0 Evansville victory.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 15, 2015 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Opening Day, 1915 |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-opening-day-1915-ep-1137936407-326106131.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220012820/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-opening-day-1915-ep-1137936407-326106131.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> Evansville was in third place when they moved to Bosse Field, but went on to win the league championship in 1915.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Dave |date=May 20, 2015 |title=BOSSE FIELD: Evansville's first home run |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-evansvilles-first-home-run-ep-1091495804-326176201.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220055109/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-evansvilles-first-home-run-ep-1091495804-326176201.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>


{{quote box
{{quote box
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Ten baseball teams other than the Otters have played at Bosse Field. Some of the most famous are the [[Evansville Triplets]] (1970–84), [[Evansville Braves]] (1946–57), Evas/Pocketeers/Hubs (1919–1931) and the [[Evansville River Rats]] (1914–15). The [[Evansville River Rats|River Rats]] had played in Evansville previously from (1903–1910) and (1901–1902). The [[Evansville Triplets|Triplets]] won the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] titles in 1972, 1975, and 1979. The [[Evansville River Rats|River Rats]] won the [[Central League (baseball)|Central League]] title in 1908 and 1915. The [[Evansville Braves|Braves]] won the [[Three-I League]] title in 1946, 1948, 1956, and 1957.<ref name="Facts" />
Ten baseball teams other than the Otters have played at Bosse Field. Some of the most famous are the [[Evansville Triplets]] (1970–84), [[Evansville Braves]] (1946–57), Evas/Pocketeers/Hubs (1919–1931) and the [[Evansville River Rats]] (1914–15). The [[Evansville River Rats|River Rats]] had played in Evansville previously from (1903–1910) and (1901–1902). The [[Evansville Triplets|Triplets]] won the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] titles in 1972, 1975, and 1979. The [[Evansville River Rats|River Rats]] won the [[Central League (baseball)|Central League]] title in 1908 and 1915. The [[Evansville Braves|Braves]] won the [[Three-I League]] title in 1946, 1948, 1956, and 1957.<ref name="Facts" />


From 1921 to 1922, Bosse Field was used as a football stadium and was home to the [[Evansville Crimson Giants]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]].
From 1921 to 1922, Bosse Field was used as a football stadium and was home to the [[Evansville Crimson Giants]] of the [[NFL]].


The Otters franchise came to Evansville in 1995 and have attracted a record number of fans for the league.<ref>{{cite web | title=Frontier League History | publisher=Frontier Professional Baseball | url=http://www.frontierleague.com/history.php | access-date=2008-12-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102093328/http://frontierleague.com/history.php | archive-date=2010-01-02 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2006 the Otters won the Frontier League title.
The Otters franchise came to Evansville in 1995 and have attracted a record number of fans for the league.<ref>{{cite web | title=Frontier League History | publisher=Frontier Professional Baseball | url=http://www.frontierleague.com/history.php | access-date=December 6, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102093328/http://frontierleague.com/history.php | archive-date=January 2, 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2006 the Otters won the Frontier League title.


[[Baseball Hall of Fame]] members [[Hank Greenberg]], [[Chuck Klein]], [[Edd Roush]], [[Warren Spahn]], and [[Sam Thompson (outfielder)|Sam Thompson]] played at Bosse Field during their careers; another 95 Hall of Fame members visited Bosse Field on opposing teams.<ref name="Engelhardt" /> There have been over 20 Major League Baseball players from Evansville and dozens of Minor Leaguers.
[[Baseball Hall of Fame]] members [[Hank Greenberg]], [[Chuck Klein]], [[Edd Roush]], [[Warren Spahn]], and [[Sam Thompson (outfielder)|Sam Thompson]] played at Bosse Field during their careers; Hall of Fame Broadcaster, [[Bob Ueker]] spent part of the 1957 season as part of the [[Evansville Braves]]; another 95 Hall of Fame members visited Bosse Field on opposing teams.<ref name="Engelhardt" /> There have been over 20 Major League Baseball players from Evansville and dozens of Minor Leaguers.


[[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Football Hall of Fame]] member [[Bob Griese]] played high school football and [[American Legion baseball]] at Bosse Field; [[Don Mattingly]], [[Andy Benes]], [[Rob Maurer]], [[Jeff Schulz]], [[Alan Benes]] and [[Jamey Carroll]] all played at Bosse Field during their high school and/or college careers.
[[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Football Hall of Fame]] member [[Bob Griese]] played high school football and [[American Legion baseball]] at Bosse Field; [[Don Mattingly]], [[Andy Benes]], [[Rob Maurer]], [[Jeff Schulz]], [[Alan Benes]] and [[Jamey Carroll]] all played at Bosse Field during their high school and/or college careers.
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| 1938–1942
| 1938–1942
| B
| B
| [[Boston Bees]], 1938–1940 <br>[[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]], 1940–1942
| [[Boston Bees]], 1938–1940 <br>[[Boston Braves]], 1940–1942
| None
| None
|-
|-
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| 1946–1957
| 1946–1957
| B
| B
| [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]], 1946–1953 <br>[[Milwaukee Braves]], 1953–1957
| [[Boston Braves]], 1946–1953 <br>[[Milwaukee Braves]], 1953–1957
| [[Three-I League]] Title 1946, 1948, 1956, 1957
| [[Three-I League]] Title 1946, 1948, 1956, 1957
|-
|-
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| [[AAA (baseball)|AAA]]
| [[AAA (baseball)|AAA]]
| [[Minnesota Twins]], 1970 <br>[[Milwaukee Brewers]], 1971–1973 <br>[[Detroit Tigers]], 1974–1984
| [[Minnesota Twins]], 1970 <br>[[Milwaukee Brewers]], 1971–1973 <br>[[Detroit Tigers]], 1974–1984
| [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] Title 1972, 1975, 1979
| [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] Title 1972, 1975, 1979; [[Junior World Series]] 1975
|-
|-
| [[Evansville Otters]]
| [[Evansville Otters]]
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==Concerts==
==Concerts==
* July 2, 1972:  ''Freedom Festival and Ice Cream Social'' with [[Ike & Tina Turner|Ike & Tina Turner Revue]], [[Edgar Winter]], [[Dr. John]] 'The Night Tripper', [[Cactus (American band)|Cactus]], [[Black Oak Arkansas]], [[Spirit (band)|Spirit]], [[Country Joe & The Fish]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Boones Farm (musical group)|Boones Farm]] and [[New Riders of the Purple Sage]]<ref name="ItRocked">{{cite news |last=Ethridge |first=Tim |date=2015-04-29 |title=BOSSE FIELD: It rocked, good and bad |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-it-rocked-good-and-bad-ep-989494541-324709621.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220000427/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-it-rocked-good-and-bad-ep-989494541-324709621.html |archive-date=2016-02-20 |access-date=2016-02-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Rock concert could draw 25,000 |publisher=Evansville Press|url=http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=713391| access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=The San Francisco Sound |date=February 25, 2010 |url=http://thesanfranciscosound.blogspot.com/2010/02/quicksilver-messenger-service_7244.html| access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=A Timeline |publisher=Country Joe's Place|url=http://www.countryjoe.com/timeline.htm#1972| access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref>
* July 2, 1972:  ''Freedom Festival and Ice Cream Social'' with [[Ike & Tina Turner Revue]], [[Edgar Winter]], [[Dr. John]] 'The Night Tripper', [[Cactus (American band)|Cactus]], [[Black Oak Arkansas]], [[Spirit (band)|Spirit]], [[Country Joe & The Fish]], [[Howlin' Wolf]], [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Boones Farm (musical group)|Boones Farm]] and [[New Riders of the Purple Sage]]<ref name="ItRocked">{{cite news |last=Ethridge |first=Tim |date=April 29, 2015 |title=BOSSE FIELD: It rocked, good and bad |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-it-rocked-good-and-bad-ep-989494541-324709621.html |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220000427/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/bosse-field-it-rocked-good-and-bad-ep-989494541-324709621.html |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 19, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Rock concert could draw 25,000 |publisher=Evansville Press|url=http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=713391| access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=The San Francisco Sound |date=February 25, 2010 |url=https://thesanfranciscosound.blogspot.com/2010/02/quicksilver-messenger-service_7244.html| access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=A Timeline |publisher=Country Joe's Place|url=http://www.countryjoe.com/timeline.htm#1972| access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref>
* August 20, 1974: [[Allman Brothers Band]], [[Elvin Bishop]], [[REO Speedwagon]]<ref name="ItRocked" /><ref>{{cite web| title=Allman Brothers, Bishop coming |publisher=Evansville Press|url=http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=801| access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Classic Rock Concerts | url=http://www.classic-rock-concerts.com/venues/2807 | access-date=2012-12-16 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022235735/http://www.classic-rock-concerts.com/venues/2807 | archive-date=2012-10-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Set Lists |publisher=Allman Brothers Band|url=http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Calendar&file=showCalendarMonth&tapers=1&year=1974&month=08&day=01&type=listevents&showsetlists=1&search=quick&searcharg=Aug%201974| access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref>
* August 20, 1974: [[Allman Brothers Band]], [[Elvin Bishop]], [[REO Speedwagon]]<ref name="ItRocked" /><ref>{{cite web| title=Allman Brothers, Bishop coming |publisher=Evansville Press|url=http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=801| access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Classic Rock Concerts | url=http://www.classic-rock-concerts.com/venues/2807 | access-date=December 16, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022235735/http://www.classic-rock-concerts.com/venues/2807 | archive-date=October 22, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Set Lists |publisher=Allman Brothers Band|url=http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Calendar&file=showCalendarMonth&tapers=1&year=1974&month=08&day=01&type=listevents&showsetlists=1&search=quick&searcharg=Aug%201974| access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref>


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.visitevansville.com/attractions/bosse-field Bosse Field at Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau website]
*[https://www.exploreevansville.com/listing/bosse-field/71/ Bosse Field] at Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau website


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[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1915]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1915]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:American Association (1902–1997) ballparks]]

Latest revision as of 03:05, 27 December 2025

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Bosse Field is a baseball stadium located in Evansville, Indiana, seating 5,181 people.[1] Opened in 1915, it was the first municipally owned sports stadium in the United States and is the third-oldest ballpark still in regular use for professional baseball, surpassed only by Fenway Park (1912) in Boston and Wrigley Field (1914) in Chicago.[2][3][4][5][6]

It is the home field of the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League (FL), as well as high school and American Legion games, and in the past hosted spring training for the Detroit Tigers, college baseball, high school, college, and NFL football, college soccer, and concerts.[3][4] Six Baseball Hall of Fame members played for Evansville teams at Bosse Field during their minor league careers, including Chuck Klein, Hank Greenberg, Warren Spahn, Bob Uecker, Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris.[2][4][5][7][8] The historic stadium was also used in 1991 by Columbia Pictures for filming numerous game scenes in the 1992 comedy-drama, A League of Their Own.[6][9]

History

Benjamin Bosse, mayor of Evansville from 1914 to 1922, reached an agreement with Thomas Garvin's family shortly after taking office in January 1914 to purchase land on the north side of the city for a park. However, the city was in a deficit and could not afford the full $50,000 price. Mayor Bosse conceived of the plan to sell part of the land to the school board who would then build a new stadium to be used for school functions as well as Evansville's baseball team, of which Bosse was a co-owner. When the president of the school board opposed the plan, Bosse had him replaced with a friend, and the new school board both approved the project and also voted to name it Bosse Field in honor of the mayor. Construction was completed the following summer, and Bosse Field opened on June 17, 1915.[10] A Central League record crowd of 8,082 fans attended the stadium dedication and opening game, a 4–0 Evansville victory.[11] Evansville was in third place when they moved to Bosse Field, but went on to win the league championship in 1915.[12]

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If it had not been for his wise and energetic management of the affairs of our city, Garvin's Park would not have been purchased by the city, and this stadium would not have been built. No more fitting name could therefore have been given this stadium than to call it Bosse Field.

—School board member Rev. J.U. Schneider honoring Mayor Bosse at Bosse Field's dedication in 1915[13]

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Ten baseball teams other than the Otters have played at Bosse Field. Some of the most famous are the Evansville Triplets (1970–84), Evansville Braves (1946–57), Evas/Pocketeers/Hubs (1919–1931) and the Evansville River Rats (1914–15). The River Rats had played in Evansville previously from (1903–1910) and (1901–1902). The Triplets won the American Association titles in 1972, 1975, and 1979. The River Rats won the Central League title in 1908 and 1915. The Braves won the Three-I League title in 1946, 1948, 1956, and 1957.[2]

From 1921 to 1922, Bosse Field was used as a football stadium and was home to the Evansville Crimson Giants of the NFL.

The Otters franchise came to Evansville in 1995 and have attracted a record number of fans for the league.[14] In 2006 the Otters won the Frontier League title.

Baseball Hall of Fame members Hank Greenberg, Chuck Klein, Edd Roush, Warren Spahn, and Sam Thompson played at Bosse Field during their careers; Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Bob Ueker spent part of the 1957 season as part of the Evansville Braves; another 95 Hall of Fame members visited Bosse Field on opposing teams.[4] There have been over 20 Major League Baseball players from Evansville and dozens of Minor Leaguers.

Football Hall of Fame member Bob Griese played high school football and American Legion baseball at Bosse Field; Don Mattingly, Andy Benes, Rob Maurer, Jeff Schulz, Alan Benes and Jamey Carroll all played at Bosse Field during their high school and/or college careers.

Former/current professional teams

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Current / former professional teams who have called Bosse Field home, have won a combined 10 league titles.

Team Sport League Played Class Affiliation Championships
Evansville River Rats Baseball Central League 1915 B Central League Title 1915
Evansville Evas Baseball Central League 1916–1917 B None
Evansville Black Sox Baseball Three-I League 1919 B None
Evansville Evas Baseball Three-I League 1920–1923 B None
Evansville Crimson Giants Football National Football League 1921–1922 Major Professional None
Evansville Little Evas Baseball Three-I League 1924 B None
Evansville Pocketeers Baseball Three-I League 1925 B None
Evansville Hubs Baseball Three-I League 1926–1931 B Detroit Tigers, 1928–1931 None
Evansville Bees Baseball Three-I League 1938–1942 B Boston Bees, 1938–1940
Boston Braves, 1940–1942 		None
Evansville Braves Baseball Three-I League 1946–1957 B Boston Braves, 1946–1953
Milwaukee Braves, 1953–1957 		Three-I League Title 1946, 1948, 1956, 1957
Evansville White Sox Baseball Southern League 1966–1968 AA Chicago White Sox None
Evansville Triplets Baseball American Association 1970–1984 AAA Minnesota Twins, 1970
Milwaukee Brewers, 1971–1973
Detroit Tigers, 1974–1984 		American Association Title 1972, 1975, 1979; Junior World Series 1975
Evansville Otters Baseball Frontier League 1995–present Independent Frontier League Title 2006, 2016

Concerts

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References

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External links

  • Bosse Field at Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau website
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Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Host of the FL All-Star Game
Bosse Field
2006 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

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