Members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission demonstrate the fine art of baseball in May of 1964, as they prepare for the second annual city high school Diamond-Go-Round to be held on May 22nd at Cheney Stadium. Wilson, Mount Tahoma, Stadium, Lincoln, and Bellarmine of the City League along with Curtis of the Seamount League will participate at the Go-Round sponsored by the Athletic Commission. All proceeds from the game were to go to the athletic funds of the high schools and Tacoma junior highs. The T.A.C. directors are: Hal Brotman at bat, Bill Larson with ball, and John McCutcheon as catcher with Bill Post, athletic director for Tacoma city schools, as umpire. The outsized Stan Musial glove, made by Rawlings, would seem to guarantee that the likelihood of passed balls would be slight. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 5-20-64, A-12)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sporting goods; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Brotman, Hal; Larson, William C.; McCutcheon, John; Post, Bill; Baseball umpires--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Giants played a double-header against the Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960 for opening day in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium. In this photo from the first game of the day a ballplayer believed to be left fielder Dusty Rhodes makes contact with the ball to the delight of the large hometown crowd in the stands. The Portland squad won the first game 7 - 2 but fell to the home team in the nightcap, losing 11 - 0 due to the 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. Opening day had to be postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm, massive rains, and low temperatures. Rhodes had a successful debut with the Tacoma Giants, going 2 - 4 in both games. He had played a major role in the New York Giants World Series victory in 1954 and played for seven years in the major leagues. TPL-9762

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes, Dusty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Opening day ceremonies at Cheney Stadium preceding Pacific Coast League matchup between the Tacoma Giants and Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960. Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson at the microphone. Ben Cheney, Giants Board of Directors, second from right; next to him is W.D. "Rosy" Ryan, Giants vice president/general manager. "Rosy" Ryan had pitched in three World Series with the old N.Y. Giants. He saw service with Brooklyn, Boston and the Yankees, where he was a roommate of Babe Ruth. He played under skippers Miller Huggins, John McGraw and Casey Stengel. (TNT 4-12-60, D-2)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Ryan, W.D.; Hanson, Ben;

A crew of workmen were putting the finishing touches on Cheney Stadium in April of 1960. The giant, plywood wall in center field was eventually dubbed the "Great Wall of Cheney". Nalley's had already put up an advertisement which portrayed a baseball player, glove extended, reaching for an oncoming ball. Nalley's promised that any batter who hit the glove would collect $50 from the company. The stadium, which took a little more than three months to build at a cost of $840,000, was ready for the Tacoma Giants opening day game on April 14, 1960. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1, 4-12-60, C-9)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Advertisements--Tacoma;

The six giant light towers at the new Cheney Stadium provided excellent lighting for watching Tacoma Giants night baseball games. Spectators could see the action on the field without eye strain on this clear June 9, 1960, evening. The Giants would bounce back from losing a doubleheader the day before and defeat the Vancouver Mounties 6-0 behind the strong pitching of Eddie Fisher. With the victory, Tacoma would tie the Seattle Rainiers for third place, trailing the Sacramento Solons and Spokane Indians. The 5.012 paying customers in attendance would not only enjoy the victory, but pre-game dedication ceremonies and contests as well, and go home with a free souvenir program featuring color photographs of the team and the stadium. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 6-5-60, B-11. 6-10-60, A-1, p. 24) TPL-9682

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Light fixtures;

These construction workers are racing against time in order to complete Cheney Stadium before baseball's opening day of April 14, 1960. This March 23, 1960, photograph indicates that they are well on their way as most of the pre-stressed, pre-fabricated grandstands are completed. View of crane lowering portion of the concrete seating; once completed, the stadium would hold more than 8,000 fans.

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Construction workers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney and wife Marian on opening day of Pacific Coast League baseball, April 16, 1960. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney enjoying front row seats at the Tacoma Giants - Portland Beavers match in newly constructed Cheney Stadium. Ben Cheney played a major role in luring back Pacific Coast League baseball to Tacoma.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

T.A.C. Awards night at Cheney Stadium. Neil Hoff, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, addresses the crowd at the Tacoma Giants-Portland Beavers baseball game on September 7, 1962. Standing behind him on the grassy infield of Cheney Stadium are members of the T.A.C. present for the Awards ceremony, including Stan Naccarato (second from right) and William (Bill) Gazecki, far right. Several men are holding trophies. The outstanding freshman performer for the Giants was presented the "Rookie of the Year" award; Jerry Thomas, pitcher, was selected for his prowess on the field. He had 13 wins in 22 decisions. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 9-7-62, D-4, 9-8-62, p. 11) (Additional identification by a reader)

Awards; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Hoff, Neil; Naccarato, Stan; Gazecki, William; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Tacoma Twins' catcher Glenn Borgmann was one of 16 players involved in providing personalized instruction to young Tacoma fans on May 20, 1972, as the team in conjunction with Carling Brewery offered a two-hour baseball clinic at Cheney Stadium. It appears that the 1291 youngsters in attendance were divided into smaller groups each headed by a Tacoma Twin. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16, TNT 5-21-72, D-1)

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Borgmann, Glenn; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

President John F. Kennedy, flanked by Pacific Lutheran University president Dr. Robert Mortvedt (left) and University of Puget Sound president Dr. R. Franklin Thompson (right), entered Cheney Stadium under the watchful eyes of police and Secret Service agents near noontime, September 27, 1963. The President had been invited to speak by the heads of the two universities. He had flown in from Sea-Tac Airport via special Marine helicopter along with U.S. Senators Henry Jackson and Warren Magnuson and Washington State Governor Albert Rosellini. About 25,000 people jammed into Cheney Stadium for this special occasion. TPL-10586

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mortvedt, Robert; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

In February of 1960 Ben Cheney and job foreman Hank Vallee studied the blue prints for the future Cheney Stadium while standing in the grandstand seating section of the construction site. Mr. Vallee had been an outfielder for the Tacoma Tigers in 1946 and 1947 and remained in the area before retiring to Cle Elum. Designed by E.L. Mills & Associates and under the supervision of Robert Mast, project engineer, Cheney Stadium was built in an amazing three months, fourteen days and was called "the 100-Day Wonder." The contractors from Earley Construction Company used structural concrete from Concrete Technology Corporation. The new home of the Tacoma Giants was dedicated on June 7, 1960 and officially designated "Cheney Stadium" in honor of Tacoma lumberman and sportsman Ben B. Cheney. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Vallee, Hank; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Concrete--Tacoma;

Seven Portland Beavers look none-too-pleased as they watch the action outside the dugout between their club and the host Tacoma Giants on opening day, April 16, 1960. Opening day was postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm which brought traces of snow and lows of 37 degrees. The day/night doubleheader was being played at the newly constructed Cheney Stadium on (then) Bantz Blvd. Over 12,000 baseball fans flocked to see the first Pacific Coast League contests played in Tacoma since 1905. Tacoma would lose its first game 7-2 but blank the Beavers in the nightcap, 11-0, with the strong pitching of future major league star, righthander Juan Marichal.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

The grandstand was full on June 9, 1960 in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium for a game pitting the Tacoma Giants against the Vancouver Mounties. Although open since April 16th, the stadium was officially dedicated in pre-game ceremonies on June 9th. Fans attending the game received a free souvenir program which included a color picture of the team and stadium. They also enjoyed special home run hitting, fungo, and throwing contests between the Giants and the Mounties. The 5,012 paying customers went home happy as Tacoma whipped the Mounties 6-0, earning starter Eddie Fisher his third shutout and sixth victory of the season. (Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.) (TNT 6-5-60, B-11, 6-10-60, A-1, p. 24)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

The concession stands, nestled under the pre-stressed concrete grandstands of Tacoma's new ballpark, were almost empty when the Tacoma Giant faced off against the Vancouver Mounties on June 9th, 1960 . Before the game the ballpark was formally christened "Cheney Stadium" during a special dedication ceremony. The concession stands offered traditional hotdogs, soda, popcorn and candy. Discriminating fans could also purchased cigars. The area was well lit as one of the stadium's six giant light towers helps to illuminate the night. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 6-9-60, p. 1-article on dedication ceremonies)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Food vendors--Tacoma;

Workmen are dwarfed beneath the towering pre-stressed, pre-fabricated concrete grandstands of Cheney Stadium. There were 1500 concrete pieces in the stadium all with steel cables running through them. 26 bays, each weighing 42 tons, were located in the stadium. It would be open in just nine days, on April 14, 1960, as the Tacoma Giants would face the Portland Beavers in a day-night match. The last grandstand was put into place on March 25, 1960, and the infield and outfield turf was already installed. The $840,000 stadium would accommodate 8,240 fans, 5740 under the covered grandstand and 2500 in the bleachers. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1, 4-12-60, C-12)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The newly completed Ben Cheney Stadium stood empty on May 18, 1960 when this aerial photograph was taken. The Tacoma Giants, playing in the Pacific Coast League, were out of town playing the San Diego Padres. The $840,000 Cheney Stadium was completed in just three months, fourteen days. As shown above, the parking lots were not yet paved due to slight sinking but a temporary surface made of sand was being applied. Also planned were bleachers to seat another 650 fans on the left field side of the grandstand. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 5-27-60 p. 23) TPL-9727

Aerial photographs; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Past and possible future baseball stars stare into the August, 1961, night. The little boy, lying down on the grass, is believed to be Bucky O'Brien, the ballboy for the Cheney Studs, a team sponsored by local lumberman and philanthropist, Ben Cheney. Both he and his older counterpart, believed to be his father Eddie O'Brien, former major leaguer, Seattle University basketball star, and current Studs coach, are wearing striped uniforms decorated with the Studs logo. The Seattle Studs, defending regional and national champs, would attempt to win the Pacific Coast Regional AABC Amateur Baseball tournament held at Cheney Stadium in early September, 1961. They would, however, not be able to defend their title as the team lost to Portland, 2-0; Portland advanced to the national finals at Battle Creek, Michigan. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 9-1-61, D-3)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

Cheney Stadium. Tacoma Twins general manager Stan Naccarato and two guests look over Cheney Stadium's playing field in mid-February of 1976. With baseball season just around the corner, the stadium and seats would not be empty for long. A portion of Henry Foss High School is visible behind the balllpark's advertisement-filled plywood walls. Photograph ordered by Pacific Coca-Cola Bottling Co. TPL-10542

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Naccarato, Stan; Henry Foss High School (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Tides soccer team posed for a group portrait early in May of 1976, prior to the pro team's successful home debut at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma had been awarded a pro soccer franchise from the American Soccer League for the 1976 season. The new team, dubbed the "Tides" and led by coach Dan Wood (extreme left, back row) and goalie Jamil Canal (third from right, standing), had opened a 24-game league schedule on April 24th with a 1-0 victory in Sacramento against the Sacramento Spirits. 12 games would be played at Cheney Stadium, the first on May 5th, with the season concluding in August. Despite taking 2nd place in the Western Division, the team folded at the end of the 1976 season. The ASL team's name had been chosen in a public contest with the winning entry submitted by pro handballer, Gordy Pfeifer. (TNT 2-23-76, A-1, A-11; TNT 3-3-76, B-1-articles on soccer; TNT 4-24-76, B-1-article; TNT 4-25-76, F-1-article)

Soccer--Tacoma--1970-1980; Soccer players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Wood, Dan; Canal, Jamil;

Baseball clinic. This is believed to be Tacoma Twins catcher Glenn Borgmann who certainly has the attention of his "class," as he demonstrates proper catching techniques. One youngster to the left has his hand out apparently imitating the pro player. This was just a small section of more than 1200 young athletes who visited Cheney Stadium for a two-hour baseball clinic on May 20, 1972, sponsored by the Tacoma Twins and Carling Brewery. The club urged that those attending bring gloves, spikes, and even wear their Little League uniforms if they chose to do so. This was the Tacoma Twins' first year in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16 -article; TNT 5-212-72, D-1) TPL-10073

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Mayor Harold Tollefson (arm extended) exchanged pleasantries with President John F. Kennedy when the President made a brief visit to Tacoma in September of 1963. Also smiling are Congressman Thor Tollefson (extreme right) and Pacific Lutheran University president Dr. Robert Mortvedt. The President addressed an overflowing Cheney Stadium crowd estimated at 25,000 on the need to preserve natural resources and the importance of education. His visit was jointly sponsored by the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, and was part of a 10,000 mile presidential trip through twelve states. (TNT 9-27-63, A-1, 2-articles)

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Legislators--Washington; Mortvedt, Robert;

President John F. Kennedy delivered a short, empassioned address to the 25,000+ people crammed into Cheney Stadium on September 27, 1963. He shared a platform decorated from Western State Hospital's nursery with presidents from local universities, Congressmen and Senators, and municipal officials. From l. to r. are Congressman Thor Tollefson, US Senator Warren G. Magnuson, Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, Dr. Robert Mortvedt, US Senator Henry M. Jackson, Governor Albert D. Rosellini, unidentifed, Mayor Harold Tollefson. The president had received a standing ovation from the crowd upon his introduction by Senator Warren G. Magnuson. He spoke to the cheering audience about preserving natural resources - both in land and resources as in developing men and women who would preserve free government in a difficult and changing world. This was President Kennedy's first appearance in Tacoma since becoming President in 1960. It was to be his last as he was assassinated in Dallas two months later. (TNT 9-27-63, A-1,2-articles) TPL-10565

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Mortvedt, Robert;

ca. 1959. Proposed grandstand for the Tacoma-Pierce County baseball park, later known as Cheney Stadium, as submitted by Ben Cheney. The stadium began operation in April of 1960. The City Council voted 8-1 to award the construction contract for its baseball park to Ben Cheney based on this design, with Mrs. Clara Goering as the lone desenter. Associated with Cheney in his bid were Earley Construction and Concrete Technology. The $647,088 contract called for a prestressed concrete structure. The proposed stadium had convinced the San Francisco Giants to transfer their Phoenix Franchise to Tacoma, marking Tacoma's entrance into the Pacific Coast Baseball League. The opening saga had been the drawn out selection of a site for the baseball park. Ben Cheney proposed a plan under the lease-purchase act where the city would acquire the property he owned at Cheney Field at 1/2 its appraised evaluation. He would then build a $620, 000 stadium which the city would lease over a number of years with the property eventually reverting to the city. The county and city finally agreed jointly on a undeveloped site owned by Metropolitan Parks at Snake Lake, south of Heidelberg Park, that would be gifted to the city. A baseball park that seats 7,000 would be constructed at a cost of $590,000. The city and county would each pay $21,700 a year for 20 years; anticipated revenue from the park was a minimum of $14,000 a year. Ben Cheney made a counter proposal and Snake Lake was still selected as the site. After further discussions and concessions, including offering the majority of the property for free, the stadium site was moved to Cheney Field in order to meet the April completion deadline and possibly to avoid offending Cheney, one of the main contributors to sports in Tacoma. Then it was moved back to the Snake Lake Recreational area, at So. 23rd & Cheyenne, by a 6-2 vote with only Mayor Ben Hanson and Mrs. Clara Goering voting for the Cheney Field site. Objections included the 426 foot strip along So. 38th retained by Cheney and potential traffic problems. The stadium was finally built at the Snake Lake site and named for Cheney, sports greatest friend and benefactor in Tacoma. (TNT 8/15/1959, pg. 1; 8/18/1959, pg 1; 9/11/1959, pg. 1; 9/15/1959, pg.1; 12/22/1959, pg. 1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Being met at home plate is young Tacoma Giants player Matty Alou in this April 16, 1960, Pacific Coast League opener between the Giants and the visiting Portland Beavers. One of three Alou brothers from the Dominican Republic who went on to play major league baseball, Matty Alou was the best hitter for average and probably the fastest. His 15-year major league career included lengthy stints with the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. He led the league in batting, .342, in 1966 as a Pittsburgh Pirate and would help Oakland to its first World Series championship in 1972. Centerfielder Alou was sent down just days before the season opened by the big league San Francisco Giants so that he could play regularly. Groomed as the successor to Willie Mays, this would help to keep his baseball skills sharp. (baseballlibrary.com) (Additional identification by a reader)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Alou, Matty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

All eyes are focused on the swinging batter during Tacoma's opening day of Pacific League baseball in brand new Cheney Stadium. The packed grandstands are filled with young and old, all eager to see the Tacoma Giants battle the visiting Portland Beavers in a doubleheader on April 16, 1960. Some spectators prefer to roam the non-bleacher area on the right, perhaps to get a better view, or to enjoy the bright skies on game day. Scheduled for April 14th, opening day had to be postponed due to a major spring storm which included 59 mph winds, lows of 37 degrees, and traces of snow. The Army was called in to set a napalm fire in the infield dirt and also used portable "Herman Nelson" heaters to help dry the turf. The Tacoma Giants lost the opening game 7-2 but won the nightcap 11-0 behind an 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. 6,612 fans watched the day game while the night crowd totaled 5,671. (TNT 4-16-60, p.1-article; TNT 4-17-60, A-1-article) TPL-9657

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sports spectators--Tacoma; Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Night game at Cheney Stadium. Bases appear loaded with the hometown Giants leading 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Giants would go on to defeat the Vancouver Mounties 6-0 before 5000+ fans. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Cheney Stadium. The last finishing touches are being put into place in the new Cheney Stadium in preparation for baseball's seasonal opener on April 14, 1960. Pacific Coast League baseball would be coming to Tacoma for the first time since 1905 as the local Tacoma Giants face off with the Portland Beavers. View of nearly empty stadium with three workers near dugout; covered grandstand would be able to accommodate 5740 fans with an additional 2500 in the bleachers. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970;