Whether it was the Pippins, the Burnett Jewels, the Grays or any of the myriad of baseball teams that have played on the Harbor over the years, fans have filled the bleachers and screamed themselves hoarse rooting their favorites on to victory. The first Harbor baseball field was the Aberdeen Athletic Park on the grounds of James Stewart’s brick factory, now known as Stewart’s Field.

In 1905 a grand stadium opened at Electric Park on the Aberdeen-Hoquiam border and served as the premier ball facility until the construction of Olympic Stadium in 1939. Here are some more baseball items taken from early area newspapers.

After a few weeks of preliminary work the Aberdeen baseball team emerged from the gloom of last season when it donned its new uniforms, modeled after the Aberdeen Athletic Club (A.A.C.) colors, yellow and black, last Sunday on the home grounds and met and vanquished the Hoquiam nine by a score of 16 to 12. Much enthusiasm prevailed in the breasts of the “fans” over this victory, which the Hoquiam boys claim was due to the fact that Jimmy Lyons had unfortunately injured his right hand. — Chehalis County Vidette, May 6, 1898

The dance given by the base ball club Saturday night in Koehler’s hall was well attended and a very pleasant time is reported. The boys came out $25 to the good, which will be applied on the cost of the new uniforms. — Chehalis County Vidette, May 6, 1898

The Hoquiam base ball nine wiped the earth with the Aberdeen team at the former city Sunday. The score stood 21 to 11 in favor of Hoquiam. — Aberdeen Herald, September 6, 1900

Another baseball team, to be composed of the best players outside of the first team, is being organized by James Bowes, and will be known as the Crescent team. The suits will be blue and white, with a white crescent on the left breast and cap. — Aberdeen Bulletin, July 8, 1902

A crippled baseballist named Kruse was soliciting aid from our citizens this morning. He is in bad shape being paralyzed from being struck in the back with a bat last year. — Aberdeen Bulletin, May 15, 1903

I. Neudelman, of the Peoples’ Furniture Store, was accidentally struck with a bat, during the game at Westport yesterday. — Aberdeen Herald, June 22, 1903

Manager R.L. Philbrick wishes to announce that there will be no megaphones allowed on the baseball grounds Sunday. Good. — Washingtonian, August 7, 1903

One of the prettiest cigar and billiard parlors ever seen in this city was opened Tuesday evening by Brown & Campbell, two members of the baseball team for 1903. The new place is named after the team and will be called “The Pippin.” — Chehalis County Vidette, December 4, 1903

CAMPELL WILL LEAVE — Wm. Campbell, captain of the “Pippins” sold his interest in The Pippin Thursday p.m. and will remove for the present to Oregon where he owns a claim. R.F. Brown, Mr. Campbell’s partner will retain the business.

We regret to lose Campbell. He is a fine player, a good loser and a perfect gentleman. He will remain until Tuesday of next week in order to help the “Pippins” against the “Gentlemen” the 3rd and 4th.

Mr. Brown (our catcher) will remain in Aberdeen and continue the business of the Pippin. He plans several extensions to his business in the near future and his method and popularity are that his success is assured. — Grays Harbor Post, July 2, 1904

Captain Wm. Campbell of the Pippins left Thursday morning for Dalles, Ore., where he goes upon his claim. Aberdeen fans will be pleased to learn that he will return and finish the season with the Pippins. — Grays Harbor Post, July 9, 1904

BALL MEN COME HIGH — Several of the players, for which Aberdeen has an eye out, are holding out for $100 a month and one of them insists on $85 with an absolute guarantee. Fink, who is one of the players practically secured, was expected to reach this city this afternoon. — Aberdeen Bulletin, April 5, 1905

SIGNED WITH ABERDEEN — The Bruce Bros. team defeated the Think-of-Me team of Aberdeen Sunday morning at the Aberdeen Athletic Park by a score of 11 to 1. It was all one-sided and came near ending in a shutout. — Aberdeen Bulletin, April 11, 1905

Burnett Bros. have a ball nine all their own. Uniforms arrived Thursday. They expect them to wallop the “Think of Me’s” and the “Becker Kids” and then challenge the “Pippins.” — Grays Harbor Post, April 29, 1905

Manager Black of the Burnett Bros. baseball team has signed all the players of the “Think of Me” team which will hereafter be known as the “Burnett Jewels.” — Aberdeen Bulletin, May 26, 1905

The fat men of Aberdeen defeated the fat men of Hoquiam in the ball game yesterday afternoon, the score at the close of five innings being 25 to 6, which was sufficient to satisfy the most enthusiastic fat man on Grays Harbor. There was a bushel of fun while the contest lasted. — Aberdeen Bulletin, June 2, 1905

The Burnett Bros. ball team will play on the diamond next Sunday afternoon. Their new suits of green and red will be worn for the first time with Burnett Bros. name on the front. — Aberdeen Bulletin, July 1, 1905

The new uniforms for the “Grays” were destroyed in the ‘Frisco fire and new ones are being made in Seattle. The boys will have to go on the field today and tomorrow in their old ones. — Grays Harbor Post, April 28, 1906

WILL CLOSE TOMORROW – The following business houses will be closed tomorrow for the opening ball game of the season: Maxey & Co., Shelley Bros., Aberdeen Meat Market, Grays Harbor Market, Gabrielson & Holmer, Morgan Bros., J.J. Law, Barker & Wood, Union Trading company, Becker Bros., White & Davidson, Powell & Johnson, Aberdeen Mercantile Company, Hunt & Haynes, City Market, S.K. Bowes, Brown & Elmore, B.J. Garman, A.W. Shelley, A.W. Barkley, Porter & Co., and F.J. Becker. — Aberdeen Bulletin, May 8, 1906

Roy Vataja, the son of Finnish immigrants, suggests that for more history about local sports, visit the Polson Museum’s “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America.” It’s a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit with plenty of local sports memorabilia thrown in, and continues until April 10. You won’t be sorry.