Red Oak Blue Indians

The 1903 Red Oak Blue Indians were the first minor league baseball team in Red Oak, Iowa. The Blue Indians played as charter members of the six–team 1903 Southwest Iowa League, along with Atlantic, Iowa, Clarinda, the Creston Cyclones, Osceola, Iowa and Shenandoah, Iowa. The league started 1903 play with four teams and Creston and Osceola joined the league on June 29, 1903.[1][2][3][4]

On March 25, 1903, the Southwest Iowa League was formed at a meeting held at the Hotel Johnson in Red Oak, Iowa, with E.H. Whiteside, of Atlantic, Iowa elected league president. The four Iowa teams in Atlantic, Clarinda, Iowa, Shenandoah and Red Oak were chosen as the charter member franchises. The league decided to disallow playing games on Sundays. The initial four towns had similar populations (3,000 to 5,000) and the longest distance to travel was less than sixty miles, which was designed to keep travel expenses to a minimum.[5]

Red Oak Blue Indians opened league play on May 19, 1903 with Atlantic hosting Red Oak and winning 10–5. After the opening day game, rains postponed play until May 26, 1903 and Red Oak had to move their opener to a golf course due to unplayable field conditions. There were 250 fans on hand at the temporary ballpark. As the season progressed and attendance became an issue, Red Oak experimented with a later 6:00 PM. starting time to allow more fans to attend. But, each time the evening starting time was tried, it became dark before a full nine innings were played.[5]

The Red Oak Blue Indians failed to show for its series at Atlantic on August 28, 1903 and announced its intention quit the league. The Southwest Iowa League then folded as Red Oak had an overall record of 22–33 record, placing 3rd overall in the Southwest Iowa League. Crippen and Jimmy Deering were the Red Oak managers. The Red Oak Blue Indians finished 9.5 games behind the champion Atlantic in the six–team league. Atlantic (34–26) and Clarinda (31–30) finished ahead of Red Oak in the overall standings. The Southwest Iowa League permanently folded after their only season in 1903 and Red Oak has not hosted another minor league team.[2][3][6][7][8][9]

The Red Oak Blue Indians played home games at the Legion Park. Legion Park is still in use today and is located at North Broadway & Alix Street in Red Oak, Iowa.[10][11]

• No Red Oak alumni made the major leagues

• Red Oak - Baseball Reference Bullpen