“Birthplace of South Dakota Amateur Baseball”

Garden City - - Six Miles North

In 1931 an economic depression spread across South Dakota and the nation. A drouth ravished crops and unemployment was widespread.

In an effort to raise the morale of the people and to give amateur baseball players an opportunity to compete, two Garden City businessman organized the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association. One of these men, Howard Lyke, was the first president while F.N. ‘Denny’ Cosgrove became the first secretary-treasurer.

Teams and leagues were organized throughout the state with the first statewide tournament being held in 1933 at Watertown. Winning teams have played in national competition throughout the years. In 1950, Watertown’s Park Grant team won the National Amateur Baseball Congress tournament at Battle Creek, Michigan.

The directors of the association hosts a group of handicapped young people on an annual goodwill trip to attend a Minnesota Twins baseball game.

This marker is dedicated during the nations bicentennial year to all of the team players, managers, state officers, commissioners, and district and league officials who have participated in South Dakota amateur baseball since its inception and to all the loyal fans who have given the support needed for the continued success of the association.

Clark County, West of US 212 & SD 25 where 25 goes south (1988)