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| Grand Island Islanders 1914 |
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| Grand Island Islanders 1914 |
Grand Island was one of the charter members of the Nebraska State League in 1910. Henry Sievers from Grand Island was named president of the league. The league scheduled 112 games and salary was restriced to $900.00 by league rules. Buck Beltzer, a Grand Island native, started his professional career in his hometown of Grand Island as player/manager for the Grand Island Collegians in the Nebraska State League in 1910.
In 1910, Grand Island was a town of about 10,000 and by 1915 the town had a population of 12,000. The Lincoln Highway Guide indicated that there were five hotels in town, three banks and 150 general business places. The local speed limit was 12 miles per hour. The town boasted nine schools and 500 automobiles.
From 1910 through 1913, the Grand Island team was a second division squad. In 1914, the team won the Nebraska State League with a 66-46 record. They were 16-16 in 1915 when the league fell apart.
The photo above shows Dazzy Vance (12) in their team picture, yet most biographers state that he played for Hastings in 1914. Interesting.
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