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BRC Capital Campaigns

Satchel Paige Statue Capital Campaign

Support the Statue

A volunteer committee is raising funds through the Bismarck Recreation Council to install a life-size bronze statue of Satchel Paige at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. Your support will help recognize the historical legacy of this Hall of Fame baseball player in our community.

Download the donation form (PDF) to make a contribution. For more information, call 701-222-6455 or email the BRC.

Campaign Status

Donations of $24,810 have been committed to the $100,000 effort to install a Satchel Paige Statue at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.

Chart showing $24,810 in donations compared to a $100,000 goal

Celebrating Local History: Mike Schwartz, Campaign Chair

In 2012 during renovation of the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, my dad, Jack Schwartz, felt that Satchel Paige should be recognized for his contribution to baseball in Bismarck-Mandan and specifically at the Municipal Ballpark. My dad is gone, so I have decided to take up his cause in collaboration with Bismarck Parks and Recreation District to ensure this important piece of Bismarck’s baseball legacy is not forgotten. The plan is to have a bronze statue of Satchel Paige constructed and placed at the Municipal Ballpark to celebrate his playing time in Bismarck and his contribution to the game of baseball. Please join me in celebrating this very important part of Bismarck’s local baseball history by contributing to this important project. As my dad would say, “Many thanks in advance!”

Leroy “Satchel” Paige

Leroy “Satchel” Paige began his professional pitching career in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s. During the 1930s, Paige played with Negro National League Pittsburgh Crawfords, as well as teams in Bismarck and the Dominican Republic. In the late 1930s, he signed with Kansas City Monarchs “B” team. At the age of 42, Paige made his American League debut with the Indians in 1948. Paige pitched for the Indians again in 1949, then spent three seasons with the St. Louis Browns from 1951-53. He then returned to the minors, playing one final game in the majors with the Athletics at the age of 59 in 1965. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

Satchel in Bismarck

In August 1933, Paige pitched and won seven games in Bismarck, giving the city the right to claim the “unofficial” semi-professional state championship title that year. During the 1935 season, Paige’s team earned a regular season record of 55-6. He led the Bismarck team to the national semiprofessional championship, the first time an integrated team in any sport won a national championship. At the tournament, Paige won four games and struck out 60 batters, a tournament record that still stands.

Photo: Satchel Paige is pictured in the back row, center position, with other members of the 1935 Bismarck baseball team.

1935 Bismarck Baseball Team with Satchel Paige in the back row

BRC Capital Campaigns

Below is a summary of the major capital campaigns by the Bismarck Recreation Council.

  • Raise the Rink (2022) Expand the VFW Sports Center to include a third sheet of ice and renovate existing facility.
  • Step Into the Batter’s Box (2022) Build the Walt Stack Umpires’ Headquarters at Cottonwood Park Softball Complex in honor of long-time umpire and softball advocate Walt Stack.
  • Breaking New Ground (2018) Construct eight new softball fields at Cottonwood Park, creating four adult slow pitch fields and a girls fastpitch softball complex with four fields.
  • NISHU Bowmen Phase II (2016) Construct an addition to an indoor archery facility that opened in 2008.
  • Building on Tradition (2014) Construct a second sheet of ice at an existing facility, Schaumberg Arena, and make renovations to Schaumberg Arena, Wachter Park and Magical Moments Playground.
  • Get in the Game (2012) Support a major renovation of the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.
  • Fill the Lanes (2009) Support the construction of an indoor aquatics and wellness facility.
  • NISHU Bowmen Phase I (2008) Construct an indoor archery facility.
  • Francis Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex (2005) Purchase a facility to house science, music, children’s theater and art programs and activities.
  • Slapshot 99 (1999) Construct a second ice sheet at VFW Sports Center.
  • Bismarck Community Bowl (1996) Develop a track, soccer, and football facility on the Bismarck State College campus.
  • On Board with BAGA (1990) Renovate a Burlington Northern Railroad warehouse for the Bismarck Art & Gallery Association and Bismarck Parks & Recreation District administrative offices.
  • Cottonwood 90 (1990) Construct a 90-acre park that includes recreation trails, BMX track, playgrounds, shelters, soccer fields and softball fields.
  • Partnership 89 (1989) Construct a gymnastics and indoor tennis facility.
  • All Seasons Complex (1986) Construct a complex that includes an indoor ice arena with one ice sheet for hockey, figure skating and open skating, four curling sheets, a golf shop for Tom O’Leary Golf Course and a sledding hill.