BALLPARK BROTHERS

Operated by the town wizards, the Parks and Recreation Department, Legion Field has been well taken care of. Entering the fenced complex and looking down onto the tree-lined field below, the stepped concrete foundation behind and around home plate immediately catches one’s eye. Two rows of seat-backed bleachers are closest to the action with rows of wooden benches making up most of the seating behind and up.

Fans desiring to avoid the hot South Carolinian sun choose the seating under the modest wooden roof right behind the plate. A detached building at the top of the seating area makes up the press box on the concourse. Spectators wishing to lounge more casually can rest on the grassy knolls to the left and right of the fixed seating right down to each foul pole. The stadium is one of many sports fields nestled along Route 221 just outside of town.

Legion Field’s longest termed occupants are the American Legion Post 20 ball club, who have fielded a baseball team here for decades. They share the field with the collegiate Lander Bearcats and now the Flying Monkeys. The Greenwood Braves began playing here in 1968 and departed in 1979, not to the land of Oz, but to nearby Anderson Memorial Field.

Future Major Leaguers Dusty Baker (1968), Dale Murphy (1975) and World Series manager Brian Snitker (1978) were just some of the big leaguers who once toiled for the Atlanta Braves affiliate. In 1973, future Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm would manage the team for a year. In their first season at Legion Field, Greenwood held promotions such as diaper relays, garbage nights and other events with invited ex-players such as Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Satchel Paige.