South Park Complex and Drake Field

South Park Complex and Drake Field are part of the group of municipal ball fields found in neighborhoods throughout St. Joseph. The field at South Park is one of the oldest fields in the city. This 40-acre complex has three lighted ball fields, a playground, concessions/rest rooms, and a biking/hiking trail.

South Park, the area of the city between Walnut St. (north), Commercial St. (south), 11^th (west) and 22^nd (east) was one of the residential areas that emerged in the early 20^th century to house the workers at the nearby industries. In the first quarter of the 20^th century many neighborhoods and businesses put together baseball teams that played on the fields throughout the city. In March 1917, the St. Joseph Gazette announced “The South Parks will reorganize during the coming week and an effort will be made to make the South Park field on the best playing grounds in the city.” In May of that same year, “The Street Railways defeated the Bell Telephones in a hotly fought and well played game on the South Park field yesterday. The game was a pitching duel from the start … The crowd was large.” Many of those in the crowd took the South Park trolly car in order to attend the games.

     The popularity of the neighborhood and business-based ball leagues continued through the years surrounding the Second World War. In 1936, the Park Department “announced elaborate plans for one of the best lighted fields in the Middle West to be located on the South Park field. It will be ready on May 1 for the opening of next season.” In 1937, the bleachers at the field were given an upgrade. The ball games were very popular, and in 1940 the Mayor threw out the opening pitch at South Park field.

     In the mid-1960s, South Park field was named in honor of A.L. “Pop” Drake. Since the 1930s, Drake, a postal employee, had been a fixture in St. Joseph sports, with a particular passion for statistics. The field was officially named Drake Field at the 1966 softball season opener.

     Since the 1970s, the teams that take the field at Drake and South Park are less the neighborhood and business teams of fifty years earlier, but more officially organized and school-based teams. In 2020 the Midland Empire Sports Association gave a substantial grant to improve the complex.

Both baseball and softball remain very popular and during the summer the stands at South Park and Drake are filled with enthusiastic supporters cheering on their teams!

Alonzo Weston, “South Park Retains Its Identity,” St. Joseph News Press, March 16, 2000.

St. Joseph Gazette, March 11, 1917.

“Street Railways Win Again,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 20, 1917.

“Organized New League,” St. Joseph News Press, June 2, 1922.

“Material in Reserve,” St. Joseph News Press, Sept. 20, 1923.

“Meet Rock Islands,” St. Joseph News Press, April 23, 1929.

St. Joseph Observer, May 1, 1930.

“Softball Loops Start Tonight,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 5, 1936.

St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 13, 1946.

“Second Guesses,” St. Joseph Gazette, Sept. 2, 1936.

St. Joseph Gazette, June 22, 1937.

“Makes Park Report,” St. Joseph News Press, April 1, 1938.

“Teams to Start Play Tomorrow,” St. Joseph News Press, May 12, 1940.

Bill Scott, “At 77 Pop Drake Still Rates as Figure Fancier,” St. Joseph News Press, Dec. 12, 1965.

“Softball Opener to Honor A.L. Drake,” St. Joseph News Press, March 19, 1966.

“Opening Softball Program Tonight,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 4, 1971.

“Women’s State Tourney Moved to Drake Field,” St. Joseph Gazette, July 26, 1972.

Chris Bils, “Split Decision,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 20, 2014.

Brendan Welch, “Donation Could Lead to Ball Field Improvements,” St. Joseph News Press, March 3, 2020.