Frankly, it was Yankee Stadium to Little Leaguers in Wheeling, W.Va.
Belle Isle Ballpark, as it stands today, is just another field compared to what it was in the 20th Century. Before demolition, the field was surrounded by a real concrete stadium that even had a press box. The dugouts were actually dug out with three steps from the top to the base, the players were protected by chain-link fencing, and the concession stands always had Bazooka bubble gum.
Belle Isle made you feel like a big leaguer.
Those Tigers
Belle Isle was utilized for the Mustang and Bronco levels in the 1970s, so when a visiting team traveled to the north end of Wheeling Island, those players knew there would be a crowd filling the terrace wooden benches that were raised above the dusty infield. Ballclubs from areas like Fulton, Pleasanton, Dimmydale, Dallas Pike, and Warwood would invade to contest the always-tough Island Tigers.
The Pike Cubs wore maroon, the Fulton Phillies wore blue uniforms, and the Warwood Redbirds donned red while the Dallas Pike A’s looked just like the Oakland A’s.
With players like Mike Tennant, “Motor” Griffin, Eddie Crockard, and “Nimmers” Stephens, the visitors to Belle Isle were quite aware they would have their hands full. Coached by Dan Taylor, you knew the Island Tigers would field well and hit hard, and those teams from 40 years ago always had a few of the best pitchers in the Mountaineer League.
Where’s The Beach?
Belle Isle was sort of mysterious, too, because even a Little Leaguer knew they were surrounded by the Ohio River’s front and back channels. Plus, the kids on the home team always talked about the bike trails beyond the outfield fences, and there was also that dream of smacking a baseball far enough to left field that it might splash down and float away.
According to the online archives compiled by the Ohio County Public Library, the area was once known as Belle Isle Beach in the early 1900s with the entrance believed to be at the end of North Front Street.
Gone for Good
The stadium, despite a group of Wheeling Island residents who opposed the wrecking ball, was demolished in the late 1990s by the city of Wheeling. Taylor said the decision was made because of security concerns communicated by nearby neighbors and because law enforcement could not see inside the stadium while patrolling.
Taylor also reported that, “she didn’t come down easy” because the complex was constructed with solid concrete, and he admitted he shed tears while briefly watching.
Belle Isle remains a baseball/softball field, but these days the diamond is surrounded by fencing and aluminum stands, and it is seldom used as most games have been moved the J.B. Chambers/I-470 Complex in Elm Grove.
(Images courtesy of Bo McConnaughy and Gerry Jacovetty.)
