MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Broomfield

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MOSS POINT MONARCHS BASEBALL TEAM.

WHEREAS, the Moss Point Monarchs actually began as the Moss Point Athletics in the mid-1920's under the guidance of Johnny George and played at what was known as the Polo Grounds and the "Roundhouse" field; and

WHEREAS, after the depression hit in the 1930's and interest in baseball declined, Alphonse "Baby Ray" Ellis, decided to bring baseball back to Moss Point in the late 1940's; and

WHEREAS, Ellis was considered the team owner and often served as the manager, father figure and best friend to the squad, a mixture of teenagers and veteran players, known as the Moss Point Tigers in 1948 and 1949; and

WHEREAS, in 1950, the Pascagoula Recreation Department took over Ingalls Field prohibiting semi-pro baseball from being played; and

WHEREAS, Ellis contacted the owner of the land, Bill Howard, who donated the land and allowed Ellis, with the help of the community, to build the field that would become home to his Monarchs; and

WHEREAS, also instrumental in the success of the Monarchs were Walter Knight, who served as the coach and trainer, and Isabelle Knight and Earnestine Ellis Fountain, who served as hostesses and cooks for the players; and

WHEREAS, Major League greats such as Billy Williams, Willie McCovery and Cleo Jones were known to frequent the Ellis Athletic Field in Moss Point, which stood on McCall Street; and

WHEREAS, in 1962, the land on which the Ellis Athletic Field was situated was bought by the city and the park was torn down to make room for East Park Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, well-known teams from the professional Negro League such as the Kansas City Monarchs, Cuban All-Stars and the Birmingham Black Barons made stops in the area to take on the local squad as part of their infamous "barn-storming" tours; and

WHEREAS, Ira Mobley, one of Ellis' best players, had played for both Kansas City and Birmingham before taking a job as a teacher in the Moss Point School District which led him to play third base and sometimes coach for the local Monarchs; and

WHEREAS, Mobley joined players such as Cisero Lewis, John Henry Davis, Don Hyde and Richard Polk as mainstays on the Moss Point Monarchs; and

WHEREAS, other top players for the Monarchs included Silas Lee, Fred Huckleby, Roosevelt Young, Henry Coleman, Jimmy Joseph, Thomas Holloway, Phillip Brown, Charles Hyde, Reginald Green, Jerry Russell, Johnny Gilliam and Robert "Big Cat" Johnson; and

WHEREAS, the Monarchs played teams like the Mobile Black Bears, New Orleans Creoles and Bogalusa Tigers, in addition to teams from Gulfport, Biloxi, Laurel and Hattiesburg on the local circuit; and

WHEREAS, Ellis and Mobley gradually left the game and the Monarchs, led by Tommy Nettles, moved to a new home on Pine Island Road, now Martin Luther King; and

WHEREAS, the Moss Point Monarchs provided entertainment and athletic competition for thousands of people in Jackson County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in the mid-1960's, the Monarchs eventually dispersed for good but paved the way for future semi-pro teams such as the Pas-Point Pirates and the Pascagoula Merchants, who revived the games in the 1970's and 1980's; and

WHEREAS, the Moss Point Monarchs was a team with players dedicated to the game of baseball who played the game with hearts full of passion; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to recognize and commend excellence evidenced by athletes who have set examples of hard work, dedication and love for the game of baseball:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Moss Point Monarchs for their success in the semi-pro baseball league and for paving the way for future generations in the area of baseball.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the former players of the Moss Point Monarchs and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.