The buzz in Grand Island in 1910 was centered on a proposal that the state capitol be moved to the city. The city fathers proposed that Lincoln be replaced with Grand Island as the town was geographically closer to the center of the state. The Grand Island Independent thought that the fair people of Nebraska would vote to move the state government to Grand Island.

Opening day in Grand Island saw a large automobile parade to Delwood park. The grandstand and bleachers were completed just in time for the season and GI saw over 1,000 fans in the stands. Delwood park started as Hann's Park in the late 1800's. It was bounded Charles on the south adn Koenig on the North between South Locust and South Oak. In the 1890's the common moniker for the park was Pukwana (peace pipe) Park. By 1910 the park was named Delwood park and the grandstands were on the east end of the park.

A large contingent from Arapahoe came down to Grand Island to watch home town boy Buck Beltzer. They presented him with a red and orange bat.

Pleasanton also sent a group down to the game to watch Win Noyes pitch for the visiting Kearney Kapitalists. Win was a groceryman from Pleasanton who was one of the best pitchers in the league.

The rivalry between Grand Island and Kearney was pretty intense. The Grand Island Independent refered to Kearney as the "Cotton Pickers" and took every opportunity to make fun of the Kearney players.

Wolbach and Sons provided free schedules for the Grand Island fans. They also had a daily ad for the team and their store, highlighting a key play of the game in their ad then making a transition into an ad for something in the store.

The Minor League Encyclopedia called the Grand Island team the "Collegians" in 1910 while the Grand Island papers called the team the "Islanders".

The team had above average pitching and average fielding. They had the lightest bats in the league, managing a paltry .219 team average for the season.

Roster:
O.A. "Buck" Beltzer was the manager and starting third baseman for the Grand Island franchise. At the end of the season his contract was bought by the Philadelphia A's for $300.00.

Clark was a regular at first and averaged .215 for the season.

Graham played 111 games at second. and averaged .234.

Smith was at short for 112 games. He managed a .176 average.

The usual catcher was Carrol . He put on the mask for 69 games. He played in a total of 93 games and averaged .222.
Travers put on the tools if ignorance for 46 games.

Outfield:
Hugh Cook played the garden for 45 games. He played in 90 total games and averaged .188.

Harry Cook was in 100 games and averaged .243.

McKibben was a regular in the garden and led the team with a .279 batting average.

Pitchers:
Eddy Paul a hurler from North Platte was 17-12 for the Grand Island team in 1910.

Morse was 15-8 for the Islanders. .237 in 74 games

Murray was 14-13.

Green had a 6-8 record for 1910.

Nebraska Minor League Baseball Home