Fans Field

Many people growing up in Decatur, Illinois, recall fondly watching minor league baseball games at Fans Field. The Decatur Comodores played there, and, unbelievably for the 1950s, were nicknamed the Commies.

For example, my family routinely went to their games. My grandfather, Isaac Coleman, after retiring from farming in Argenta, moved to Decatur and became the head groundskeeper at Fans Field.

In his later years, Grandpa Ike would visit Florida Spring Training camps, and visit with the grown up minor league Commies who where playing for the St. Louis Cardinals or the San Francisco Giants.

Sadly, the powers that be torn down Fans Field stadium, which honestly was a fire hazard since it was all wood, some years ago.

The photograph at top is one of many examples of historic Decatur images available for purchase from herald-review.com