In today's world, Iowa Colored Cowboys is a topic of great relevance and interest to a large number of people. With the advancement of technology and globalization, Iowa Colored Cowboys has become a central theme in many aspects of daily life. Whether in the work, academic, social or personal sphere, Iowa Colored Cowboys plays a crucial role in the development and evolution of society. Throughout history, Iowa Colored Cowboys has been the subject of study and debate, which has contributed to enriching and expanding knowledge on this aspect. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Iowa Colored Cowboys and analyze its impact in different areas, as well as the prospects for the future.
| Sport | Softball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1932–1933 |
| Folded | 1960s |
| Based in | Sioux City, Iowa, US |
| Manager | Harry Fisher |
The Iowa Colored Cowboys was a barnstorming softball team, consisting mostly of black players, that played during the 1960s. The team was based in Sioux City, Iowa, United States.
The team's original name was the Sioux City Iowa Negro Ghosts which played in 1932 or 1933, and the team was brought back in 1960 under a different name. The original group was one of the first touring softball teams. General manager Harry Fisher came up with the Sioux City Iowa Negro Ghosts when he thought of adding comedy to softball, shadowball after each game, and "top-notch softball at all times". Shadowball was when the team played without a ball. They also played the sport in slow-motion.
As many as over a thousand people gathered to watch performances by the Iowa Colored Cowboys, in an atmosphere similar to a Harlem Globetrotters event. The team had players who were also entertainers, who Fisher said was "a Ball-Circus, America's greatest summer sport show." Several members used to be a part of the original team. Player Marland Buckner, also known as "Showboat", was known for showmanship and "goofy" antics, but for also being one of the team's "greatest defensive first basemen" Marland was known for his jokes, spinning his bat, and embarrassing the umpires. Red Strickland might have been the team's only white player and he was known for his hurling. Other players included "Tree Top" Patrick, Rip Collins, "Popeye" Smith, and L. J. "Compound" Flavors.
Due to a ban of blacks joining major sports leagues, such teams allowed them to participate and also helped the later desegregation of major league baseball. It is unknown when the team disbanded. In 2007, the State Historical Museum in Des Moines, Iowa, opened an exhibit titled "Shades of Greatness: Art Inspired by Negro Leagues Baseball" that included a booklet about the team.