A Shrine to Baseball History

“There is no ballpark like this.This is where history was made,” declares historian Bill schumann, encapsulating the profound significance of Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. Home to the Daytona Tortugas, a class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, this stadium holds a unique place in baseball lore. It was here, in 1946, that an American or National League-affiliated organization first fielded a racially integrated team, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s desegregation.

From City Island to a Symbol of Progress

Originally opened in 1914 as City Island Ballpark, the stadium has been a constant presence in minor league baseball as 1920. However, its most meaningful chapter unfolded when Daytona Beach defied the era’s Jim Crow laws to welcome Jackie Robinson, then a newly signed player for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization.

On March 17, 1946, Robinson played his first exhibition game for the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, against the parent club. This event, though seemingly small, was a monumental step towards breaking down racial barriers in professional sports.

The 1946 Season and the Road to History

Robinson’s season with the Montreal Royals proved instrumental in his advancement and the team’s success, culminating in an International League Championship. This triumph paved the way for his groundbreaking 1947 campaign with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he shattered the color barrier and launched a Hall of Fame career.

Daytona Beach officially recognized its role in this historic journey by renaming the ballpark in Robinson’s honor in 1990. This initiative was spearheaded by Bill schumann, who also founded the Jackie Robinson Statue committee. A statue,located outside the stadium’s main entrance,was unveiled during a ceremony attended by Robinson’s widow,Rachel Robinson.

The theme of [the statue] is that he is transmitting his contribution to future generations. A [niño] black, one white.
Bill Schumann

Schumann further elaborated on the statue’s details, noting its unique features:

Notice that he has no cap. The reason why the artist did this was to be less a sports statue. He wore two different uniforms in Daytona. [El que se representa en la estatua] I was carrying it on a field of practice in West Daytona called the Kelly Field.And the number 30 has on the back. If this were in color today, this would have been white satin with real blue stripes. And he had his feet inward, which is how it was in real life.
Bill Schumann

Preserving the Past: Film and Segregation

schumann also produced a short film featuring Robinson playing in Daytona Beach, which the Tortugas show on the stadium’s video board before games. This film incorporates rare 16mm footage captured by a local fan, Robert S. Bates, offering a glimpse into robinson’s early career.

It’s important to remember that even in daytona Beach, segregation was still a reality. during Robinson’s time, African-American fans were relegated to a specific section of the ballpark, highlighting the challenges he faced even in a relatively progressive habitat.

Daytona’s Welcoming Embrace: The Influence of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune

The question remains: why Daytona Beach? Why was Robinson welcomed here when other cities remained hostile? The Dodgers initially planned for the Montreal Royals to train in Sanford, Florida, but the team was forced out due to the presence of Robinson and another African-American player, pitcher John Wright.

Schumann credits Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune-cookman University, a historically Black college, for creating the conditions that allowed Daytona Beach to embrace the Royals.

By when 1946 arrived, [McLeod Bethune] He had already worked with President Roosevelt a few years before. He was with his African -American cabinet and was a key advisor. And one of the things that is very critically important about that is that, at that time, we were under World War II and a depression. And with the administration of Roosevelt, there was money from the New Deal; They had a lot of federal money and had to decide where to spend it.
Bill Schumann

Dr. Bethune’s influence extended to securing funding for the community and fostering a more inclusive political climate.

Well, Mrs. Betune influenced where the money was spent and it was very good with politics. I knew how to build coalitions of blacks and whites, and I would say that the Roosevelt were not only thier friends, but political allies.He had politicians who were some of the most famous people in the United States.
Bill Schumann

Schumann cited figures like John D. Rockefeller, Thomas White, and members of the Gamble family as examples of influential individuals who supported Dr.Bethune’s efforts.

It was a different culture there [en Sanford]. It was not the same as Daytona Beach, because Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune changed the political culture of Daytona Beach with the way everyone worked together. It was like an American hero.
Bill Schumann

Honoring Robinson Today

The Daytona Tortugas continue to honor Robinson’s legacy in various ways.On Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), the team wears uniforms with the number 9, commemorating the number he frequently enough wore in Daytona, a departure from his more famous number 42, which is retired across Major League Baseball.

The stadium itself serves as a living museum, with interactive displays and exhibits detailing Robinson’s career.Even the playing field offers a tangible connection to the past.

The dish is, if not in the exact place, very close to where I was when Jackie Robinson played here. So, when people approach to hit, it’s like where he realy was. We want people to come to this stadium, have the idea of what the story was to see.
Bill Schumann

Visiting Jackie Robinson Ballpark is more than just attending a baseball game; it’s an opportunity to step back in time and experience a pivotal moment in American history. It’s a chance to connect with the legacy of a true pioneer and reflect on the progress that has been made, and the work that still remains.