Browning Field

Browning Field, in Moline, IL, is the former home of the Moline Plowboys and is located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue. Browning Field served as the home of the Plowboys from 1920-1948. The 5,600 capacity baseball park had dimensions of (LF-CF-RF) 550-440-377. The first night game at the park was July 11, 1930.

Major League Baseball Events:

• On April 12, 1920 the Plowboys defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-1 at Browning Field in an exhibition game.

• On April 14, 1938 the Chicago Cubs played an exhibition game at Browning Field against the Plowboys.

• Babe Ruth appeared at Browning Field on June 26, 1940. 2,600 fans showed for a Plowboys exhibition game starring Ruth and to watch Ruth put on a batting practice exhibition.

Origin and History

John T. Browning (1830–1910) was a lawyer, politician and served as the City of Moline's first City Attorney. In his last year of his life, Browning was planning on erecting a memorial to himself on farmland that he owned. Browning and A. M. Beal, President of the Moline Board of Education, then developed a plan to deed the land to the city for use as an athletic park. Browning added the provision to his will, stating that his land was to be "held in trust forever by the City of Moline and dedicated to the public as and for a playground and athletic park, which shall be known and designated as the John T. Browning Park, Playground, and Athletic Field".

While the sports teams of Moline High School have been the primary tenants of the Browning and the adjoining Wharton Field House (opened 1928), professional tenants on the property included the NBA's Tri-City Blackhawks, predecessor to today's Atlanta Hawks, the NFL Charter member Rock Island Independents and the minor league Moline Plowboys.

Moline Plowboys History

Moline gained a franchise in July, 1914 when the Danville Speakers relocated to Moline and the Moline Plowboys began play. The "Plowboys" name reflected Moline's agricultural production, as companies such as John Deere, Moline Plow Company, and Minneapolis-Moline were located in Moline. The Plowboys initially played at Athletic Park, before moving to Browning Field in 1920. The Plowboys won Three-I League Championships at Browning in 1921 and 1937. The franchise was an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (1932), Chicago Cubs (1937–40) and Philadelphia A's(1947–48).

Overall, Browning Field served as the home of the Plowboys from 1920-1948. The 5,600 capacity baseball park had dimensions of (LF-CF-RF) 550-440-377. The first night game at the park was July 11, 1930.