"Strike three, you're outta there" A small cache near a local sports field. Should be a quick grab unless a game is on!
When Helena's Kindrick Legion Field was first built in 1932, local players, as well as the townfolk, were extremely anxious for a new ballpark. Baseball was a huge activity back then, with two different City leagues comprised of about 10 adult semi-pro teams, one Junior Legion club and several youth teams. There were five ballparks in use then - Smelterite Park in East Helena, Campbell Field (located approximately where the Memorial Apartments are on Euclid Ave.), the Sixth Ward Field (across the street west of Mergenthalers Transfer), Scullen Field (by the Carroll P.E. Center) and Fort Harrison Field - but none had bleachers, dugouts or an outfield fence. When the new park opened, it was quite an event. "Helena baseball fans in large numbers witnessed a brilliant game of baseball last evening which marked the opening of Legion Park, new home of the Helena Baseball Association," reported the Helena Daily Independent on August 24, 1932. "The league-leading Eagles defeated the Orange Crush by a 2-1 score in a game that was as good as any fan would care to see." "The crowd expressed pleasure at the splendid plant which was made possible through the efforts of William C. "Bill" Campbell and the American Legion Lewis and Clark Post No. 2, which donated the funds held by them for legion stadium. These funds, coupled with the earnings of the league this season and the acceptance of "script" by Helena merchants assured construction of the plant which will doubtless be fully paid for by the end of the season." Campbell, who was a reporter for the local newspaper then, but is perhaps best remembered as the author of the history books "From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch," had helped spearhead the drive to build the park for several years before things came together in the summer of 1932.