Dutch Lorbeer
American Legion Park
Adley "Dutch" Lorbeer (1902-1983) came to Neodesha in 1929. Dutch enjoyed a six year pro-ball stint with the Pittsburg[h] Pirates and the New York Yankees organizations, an experience which profoundly influenced the rest of his life. Returning to Neodesha he became sponsor for the Neodesha American Legion baseball team in 1945. This organization enabled boys aged fifteen to eighteen to play ball competitively. Dutch coached, purchased their uniforms, baseballs, bats and gloves and took them all to a St. Louis Cardinals game each year. During his eighteen year sponsorship, Dutch spent over $75,000 on Neodesha's American Legion ballplayers.
The Neodesha American Legion Park was designed by Standard Oil engineer A.M. Burton and dedicated May 8, 1921. Neodesha baseball enthusiasts donated the $4,000 to build the original field with a covered grandstand that held 700.
Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 75), on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
