Monroe

The Monroe Monarchs played at Casino Park in Monroe, La. The Monarchs were members of the Negro Southern League in 1932. According to the book "Green Cathedrals," the dimensions were 360 in left, 450 in center and 330 in right. Players of note with the Monarchs include Hilton Smith, Willard "Home Run" Brown, Barney Morris and Leroy Morney. The 1932 Negro World Series between Monroe and the Pittsburgh Crawfords brought legends like Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell and Josh Gibson to Casino Park. According to late Negro League Augustus Saunders, Gibson hit a home run in one of the games that landed on a passing train. "We always said it carried on to the next town," Saunders joked. The team was owned by a white man, Fred Stovall. The park and the facilities around it were considered some of the finest in the league. Even in the 1930s, both white and black fans attended the games. Thanks to Paul J. Letlow (The News-Star -- Monroe, La) for info on this park.