Baseball in Black Diamond was more than a pastime; it was a way for the community to compete against the top squads from Seattle and neighboring mining towns. Baseball was likely Black Diamond’s biggest sport during the coal mining era, followed closely by soccer. Many of the athletes listed below played baseball from late April through August and soccer from Labor Day to early April. Home games were played on the same Black Diamond ballfield that still borders Highway 169. Back then, there was an impressive grandstand, bandstand, and bleachers.
The 1931 Black Diamond baseball team’s players and positions were written on the back of this photo: Lying in front: Louie Zumek, catcher. Seated from left to right: John “Cut” Kravagna – catcher; Geno Paolucci – right field; Jack Mills – 2nd base; Steve Vernarelli – 1st base; Walt Sigmund – shortstop; Phil Sternig – 1st base; Frank Brennan – left field. Standing: Frank Manowski – pitcher and center field; Ed Winbeckler – pitcher and center field; Emilio “Meg” Pierotti – 3rd base; John Walsh – substitute; Tullio Fontana – substitute; J.K. Edson – coach. Edson was a popular teacher in the Black Diamond school system.
Though Black Diamond was a coal mining town, by the 1930s, the industry was fading. Only one of the 13 players pursued a career in mining – Frank Manowski, a longtime employee of Palmer Coking Coal Company, which moved its headquarters to Black Diamond in 1958. Manowski’s son, also named Frank, found employment and became a respected recreation coordinator for King County Parks headquartered at Pete’s Pool in Enumclaw.
This picture was taken by Frank Perkins, who operated a Seattle studio with his wife, Gertie Fae Perkins. After his death in 1937, she continued to operate the business. This photo is courtesy of the Black Diamond Historical Society, accession #2003.58.03. It was donated by William Bisyak together with five other photos and his 1931 class ring. It was delivered to the museum by Conrad Roberts for Bisyak in June 2003.
