Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to Carey Park on the Emerson Loop.
Hutchonian's have always loved and played baseball. The town's first baseball park was Northside Field at 14th & Walnut about 1880.
The next field was a huge facility named the Hutchinson Athletic Park at Avenue C and Adams from 1905 to 1924. It was home to the minor league Hutchinson Saltpackers, featuring famed pitcher "Smoky Joe Wood" in 1907.
The city established a new baseball park in 1928, calling it the Carey Park Diamond. The first photo shows this facility on opening day in 1928 as Hutchinson was playing the Joplin Miners.
In 1962, the field was renamed the Bud Detter Field to honor longtime baseball promoter Wilbur "Bud" Detter.
In 1970, the field was leased to Nelson Hobart to promote the collegiate level Hutchinson Broncs (1971-1984). Many famed players passed through this organization.
In 1991, the field was renamed Hobart-Detter Field. The second photo shows the new electronic scoreboard at the time.
The third photo shows Hobart-Detter Field today with its new field drainage system in place to make it more playable all year. Hobart-Detter is currently home to the Hutchinson Monarchs, the HutchCC Blue Dragons and the Hutchinson High School Salthawks.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away