Nebraska Minor League Baseball
Hastings 1887

Western League 1887 Standings
TeamWinsLossesGames Back
Topeka Golden Giants8324--
Lincoln Tree Planters623415 1/2
Denver Mountaineers514923 1/2
Kansas City Cowboys495331 1/2
Omaha Omahogs366544
Hastings336244

Hastings had a one year affiliation in the Western League. In 1886 with Omaha out of organized baseball, the Omaha/Hastings town team competitions were well attended and many people thought Hastings might be able to make a go of a Western League team. Since Hastings was on the way to Denver from the more eastern cities it would make it easy to add Hastings to the fold. Hastings was also a railroad hub with service by almost all the major railroads.

In 1886, when the Lincoln team was floundering the Lincoln owner approached some baseball men in Hastings and offered to sell to the franchise to them. Although this did not work out Hastings decided to put together a Western League bid for 1887.

In December of 1886 they presented the league with a $500.00 deposit and a $50 yearly fee to enter the league. The team was incorporated for $5,000. Mr. L. M. Elesmore was president of the club, W. G. Clark was vice president, H. B. Knowlton was tresurer and O. G. Smith was Secretary.

According to the Sporting News, Hastings was in the process of expanding their grandstand and they expected a park capacity of 8,000 when done. The new Hastings street car line was scheduled to begin operation in 1887 and one of the lines went to the ball park making it easy for fans to get to the games.

Hastings signed Frank Harris and H. Ebright from their 1886 town team. The added A.A. Reeves from the Northwestern League and Bob Emalie from the old Baltimore team. They also signed Frank Hoyt, Jack Dwyer Charles Reising and W.P> Wehrle .

Ten former major league players wound up on Hastings roster in 1887. Many of them were from Pennsylvania.

Jim Brown pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1886. He was from Clinton County Pennsylvania.

Jim Curtis was an outfielder from Coldwater Michigan. He played for the Reds in the NL and Washington in the American Association before winding up in Hastings.

Hi Ebright was a 27 year old from Pennsylvania. He made it to Washington (NL) in 1889.

Eddie Fusselback played third, catcher and first for many teams. He was from Philadelphia. He played for St. Louis in 1882, and the Athletics in 1885. In 1887 he was in Louisville.

Frank Harris was a Pittsburg boy who played in the outfield.

Bill Kienzle was another Philadelphia boy who played for the Athletics and the Keystones during his major league career.

Charlie Reising was from Laneville Indiana.

Charlie Reynolds was a catcher from Williamsburg Indiana. He played for the Kansas City Cowboys in 1899.

Tub Welch was from St. Louis. He played for Louisville in 1895.

Milt Whitehead played for Memphis in 1886 and the St. Louis Maroons in 1884.

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