< Rosters, Line Scores, Write-Ups >
During the 1920s, the Pittsburgh Press sponsored
a number of city-wide baseball programs. In 1923 and 1924, Brookline neighborhood
churches came together to form the Brookline Church League.
The 1923 season saw four teams, with rosters
chosen from members of the respective congregations. Competing for the first place
trophy were the Grace Lutheran, St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran, Brookline Boulevard
United Presbyterian and the Brookline Methodist Episcopal churches.
All games were played on the community's
Board of Trade ballfield, then located at Aidyl and Pioneer Avenue. Game results,
including write-ups, standings and line scores, were published in the Pittsburgh
Press and Gazette Times. An award's banquet was hosted for the winning
club.
On September 15, 1923, the Brookline Boulevard
United Presbyterian team wrapped up the 1923 title with a 4-2 victory over the
Brookline Episcopal Methodist nine. The Presbyterians pitcher during that championship
clinching contest was none other than Pastor Reverend John J. McIlvane
himself.
The 1924 season saw the return of the Brookline
United Presbyterian and United Methodist teams, and the merger of Grace and St. Mark's
Lutheran teams. Three new teams joined the competition to round out the now six-team
league: Church of the Resurrection, Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian and the Beechview
United Presbyterian churches.
On June 6, 1924, Pittsburgh Pirate's coach
Honus Wagner was present for the opening game of the second season between the Church
of the Resurrection and the Beechview United Presbyterians.
After two months competition, the Mount Lebanon
United Presbyterian team posted the top record (9-1) in the standings captured the
Pittsburgh Press Brookline Church League championship trophy.
There is no further mention of the Brookline
Church League after the 1924 season.
Below is a recap of the 1923 and 1924 seasons,
as covered by the Gazette Times and the Pittsburgh Press, including informative
game write-ups and line scores ...
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1923
* Paul Presbyterian team dropped out,
replaced by Grace Lutheran.
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1924
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