Billy Sunday Field

The Billy Sunday Baseball Field was constructed in the 1930s to serve as a consistent playing location for Nevada’s semi-pro baseball team. The field was originally located on the west side of S14, but was soon relocated to its current location, just east of S14. The Nevada High School baseball team began playing at the field around 1934, which prompted the addition of dugouts and lights. The field was officially named to honor Billy Sunday in 1963. A concession stand would later be built by the Nevada Athletic Boosters in the 1970s and expanded in the 1980s.

The Nevada High School baseball team continued to play at Billy Sunday Field until 2019, when a new baseball field was built in the southeast part of Nevada. Although the field is currently not in use, it is well known throughout Story County. Kris Corbin, past President of the Nevada Community Historical Society, commented that if “you ask anybody that played baseball in Story County, all of them will know you are talking about Nevada when you mention Billy Sunday field” (Corbin).

William Ashley “Billy” Sunday was born south of Ames, IA on November 19th, 1862 during the beginning of the Civil War. Billy’s father, William Sunday, served in the Civil War as a Union soldier and died shortly after Billy’s birth. Billy’s mother, Mary Jane Sunday, was left with the responsibility of raising Billy and his siblings. She remarried several times in an effort to support the family. However, none of the marriages were long lasting and the Sunday family continued to struggle financially. When Billy was 10 years old, he and his older brother Ed were sent to the Soldiers’ Orphans Home in Davenport, IA.

Sunday lived at the orphanage for approximately four years, leaving at age 14 to return to his family farm outside of Ames. After a disagreement with his grandfather, Sunday moved to nearby Nevada, IA. He was fortunate to work for Colonel John Scott, Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor at the time. Sunday worked in Colonel Scott’s stables in return for housing. While in Nevada, Sunday attended Nevada High School and played on a town baseball team. He soon became well-known for his speed and ability to run the bases. After a few years, Sunday began to play on the Ames baseball team and soon moved to Marshalltown to continue playing. Adrian Anson, a manager for the Chicago White Stockings and a native of Marshalltown, heard about Sunday’s talent and watched him play. Anson was impressed and offered Sunday the opportunity to try out for the Chicago team.

Eliana C. Hornbuckle on behalf of National Youth Science Camp. “Billy Sunday Baseball Field.” Clio: Your Guide to History. June 22, 2020. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.theclio.com/entry/106904

See also – https://www.goingthesocialdistancenevada.com/billy-sunday

Photo: Nevada Community Historical Society