Indianapolis Clowns

[bhss89]

I read w/ great interest the other day that the Clowns actually existed as a "barnstorming" team until 1988. Anyone have any books, articles, or other resources w/ info about the Clowns in their later years (1970-1988)?

The piece* I read mentioned that at least a few of the Clowns appeared in The Bingo Long Travelling All-Stars and Motor Kings (1976), starring Richard Pryor, James Earl Jones, and Billy Dee Williams.


* I think it was either on the Ebbets Field Flannels web site or an article I found after googling "Indianapolis Clowns. At any rate, I'm looking for info other than what can be via Google, as I've pretty much exhausted those resources that can be found online. Honey! Come quick! I finished the Internet! :D

[bhss89]

Okay . . . I've found this book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0690004699/negroleaguebas02 and am wondering if anyone's read it.

If so, does it speak to the post-1970 existence of the Clowns? I was extremely intrigued to find out that a Negro League team made it all the way up to 1988!

[Rennie Stennett]

My dad used to tell me stories of when the Negro League Teams used to barnstorm through his small town in the plains. One of these stories involves Goose Tatum of Harlem Globetrotters fame, who played first base for the Clowns. His reach and stride was half way to the pitcher's mound.

Cool Pics: http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotmgoosetatum.html

He told me the KC Monarchs had a left hand third baseman, who's name escapes me.

[bhss89]

My dad used to tell me stories of when the Negro League Teams used to barnstorm through his small town in the plains. One of these stories involves Goose Tatum of Harlem Globetrotters fame, who played first base for the Clowns. His reach and stride was half way to the pitcher's mound.

Cool Pics: http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotmgoosetatum.html

He told me the KC Monarchs had a left hand third baseman, who's name escapes me.

Thanks for the cool link Rennie; I tried to find the LH 3rd basebman for you, but couldn't come up with anything using Google.

There's got to be someone out there who has some info on what the Clowns were up to in the 70s and 80s . . .