Win A Heifer at the Polo Field

APP DRISCOLL POLO FIELD
NAMED AFTER APP DRISCOLL

POLO FIELD-WIN A HEIFER

The Polo Field was to become the scene of many a heated baseball as well as softball games in the pre-world War II era.

Many contests were to be played that would do justice to any minor league game. There were the PNA-Bradford Italians' battles; the contest with the Karts' Dairy team of Buffalo-a team that had in its lineup Vince Clabeaux and Buddy Rosar. It was the scene of many a Polish National team battle with leading members of the Allegany County Baseball League.

It was to be the scene of many a 'packed house' in the nickel era. And the Nats' management issued a statement: "The Nats' will inaugurate a new system in regards to admission. The club will play on a free-will basis, charging nothing but taking whatever the fans choose to give. This will enable all who are not working a chance to witness our games."

Approximately 3,000 turned out to witness a Nationals-Wellsville Sinclair game in the mid-thirties and the "hat method" came up with less than $20.

The polo field, in its heyday, boasted of a sign which was added incentive to hit that long ball. In deep right field, approximately 450 from Sowinski's barn and on that barn was nailed a sign; "Hit this and win a heifer." It would have taken a Babe Ruth to win the heifer. On the sign was painted a ball, the batter, just in case he did 'happen' to hit it with the ball, quite a feat if you could do it.

The Socony -Vacuum-Gavin McCarthy softball battles of the early '30's were fought here.

When the Nationals team moved their baseball operations to Bradner Stadium in 1935, the Polo Field declined in popularity. During World War II, it was renamed Forness Field AND LATER WAS RENAMED 'APP DRISCOLL PLAYGROUND'

Olean Sesqi-Centennial 1954-edited

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