By TOM DICKAU BRISTOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY This is the fifth of ten articles to be written by Tom Dickau, president of the Bristol Historical Society and member of the Muzzy Field Anniversary Committee. Each article will be written to follow the history and activities of Muzzy Field through the decades. Muzzy Field from 1940 through 1945 The elegance of Muzzy Field had been restored and enhanced just prior to the 1940s with the addition of a new grandstand dedicated to Thomas A. Tracy. Portable lighting was also utilized at Muzzy Field allowing for large evening attendance. It should have been expected that the next decade started with major sporting events. To the contrary, the beginning of the 1940s demonstrated a lackluster start at the renovated stadium. The City Baseball League was dissolved with the departure of both the West End and Celtic Athletic Clubs. Chuck McCarthy, the Bristol Press sports editor, lamented that softball was taking over. He stated that even the prestigious West End Athletic Club, which was closing its baseball program and downsizing its football program, was giving support to the game of softball. The West Enders during the Fall of 1940 on occasions drew crowds bordering one [...]
By TOM DICKAU BRISTOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY This is the fifth of ten articles to be written by Tom Dickau, president of the Bristol Historical Society and member of the Muzzy Field Anniversary Committee. Each article will be written to follow the history and activities of Muzzy Field through the decades. Muzzy Field from 1940 through 1945 The elegance of Muzzy Field had been restored and enhanced just prior to the 1940s with the addition of a new grandstand dedicated to Thomas A. Tracy. Portable lighting was also utilized at Muzzy Field allowing for large evening attendance. It should have been expected that the next decade started with major sporting events. To the contrary, the beginning of the 1940s demonstrated a lackluster start at the renovated stadium. The City Baseball League was dissolved with the departure of both the West End and Celtic Athletic Clubs. Chuck McCarthy, the Bristol Press sports editor, lamented that softball was taking over. He stated that even the prestigious West End Athletic Club, which was closing its baseball program and downsizing its football program, was giving support to the game of softball. The West Enders during the Fall of 1940 on occasions drew crowds bordering one [...]