August 30, 1902

Joplin’s first professional baseball team, the Colts, played their home opener on this day. Other teams in their Missouri Valley League included some from Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma as well as Springfield, Rolla, Nevada, Sedalia, and Jefferson City. Photo courtesy of James Kern on Unsplash This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.