Lakewood Lore

Elks Field shed light on softball for the first time

One of the biggest attractions in Lakewood during the 1930s and '40s was Elks Field.

Nestled on low ground behind the Elks Club at Detroit and Bunts roads where Finast Supermarket is now located, the field was the first lighted for softball in the United States.

It drew hundreds of spectators to double-header games (both men's and women's leagues) held seven nights a week from May through September. It was host to the world softball championships in 1944 and '46.

Those were the days of swift-pitching softball, and the fans rooted for such hard-to-hit pitchers as Fireball Gerber, Cyclone Warken, Tony Klepetko, Johnny Kevertes, Jerry Joyce and Marge Wood. Among team backers were Weaver Wall, J. Schrader, Midland Steel, National Screw, Blepp-Coombs and Erin Brew.

Titans in Elkdom, who were responsible for this golden age of Lakewood fast-pitch softball included Jack O'Malia, Mel Fishback, George Little, Al Ilg, and Charlie Foster.

After O'Malia was named chairman of the Elks outdoors activities committee in 1933, things began to happen and the area became a great recreation center. But even before that, the field was the site of Elks circuses, which many elderly Lakewoodites fondly remember. One year a carnival featured Al Capone's black bulletproof Cadillac on display.

The Lakewood Elks building at Detroit and Bunts was built in 1915 and originally housed the Lakewood Tennis Club. The tennis club courts, which occupied the space later to become Elks Field, were an important arena of action on July 3, 1916, when 2,000 persons saw a natioal clay courts tennis tournament there.

The Elks Club itself (Lakewood Lodge No. 1350 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) was formed in 1917 and took over the tennis club edifice that same year.

From 54 members at its inception, the Elks Club of Lakewood has grown to more than 800. Dedicated to the principles of charity, justice and brotherly love, it has through the years contributed much time and effort in helping young people.

The lodge continues to be a major asset to Lakewood. However, the wonderful Elks Field era part of its operation came to an end in 1958, when the land was leased to Pick-N-Pay, the predecessor of Finast.

This article appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post May 4, 1989. Reprinted with permission.

[ Ed. note: The City announced Feb. 10, 2003 that the Lakewood Elks lodge building at 14018 Detroit Avenue would be puchased and renovated. It is to become a Winking Lizard Tavern. The building has been owned by Tops grocery (successor to Finast). ]

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