Negro Leagues Baseball Museum profits from County-City softball game

Published on July 19, 2022

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was the big winner as Jackson County associates battled those from City Hall in the “Bats, Balls and Pols” softball game July 17, at the Urban Youth Academy.

The game revived on old-school baseball rivalry dating back to the 1890s. The 1898 contest featured Big Jim Pendergast at first base, Tom Pendergast at third base and Jesse James, Jr. in center field.

In promoting the 1898 game, The Kansas City Journal wrote, “There promises to be a hot time at Exposition Park on Saturday, August 27, for on that date the baseball nines representing the county courthouse and the city hall come together for their yearly game. Great interest is being manifested among the employees of the two buildings, and the members of each team are prepared to do or die.”

It was definitely a hot time on the field, but there was also a whole lot of fun and in the end a donation of $17,000 to NLBM.

The city took an impressive nine-run lead in the top of the first inning but spurred on by an outstanding crowd of fans the county made a miraculous comeback to finish down by only three. The city took home the trophy with a score of 18-15.

The trophy that was presented is the same trophy used when the game was lasted played in the 1970s and ‘80s. All indications are that of the last four recorded contests, the series is tied two games apiece.

The trophy was not the only thing to return from the 1970’s game, Steve McClellan who was the county’s batboy back then also returned.

The game was made possible by donations from sponsors Nutter Home Loans, Husch Blackwell, JE Dunn Construction, Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City, Urban Youth Academy, The Kansas City Royals and Terry Dunn Family.