Marvin Truby

With professional baseball attendance slipping in the late 1920s, many felt that lights were needed so games could be played at night, under lights.  Night games had been played at various levels, but not by the major leagues or its minor leagues.

In 1929, the Western Association team owner in Des Moines declared that his team would open the 1930 season under the lights on May 2, against Wichita.

In Independence, meanwhile, oil man Marvin Truby advocated for night baseball at Riverside Park for his Independence Producers of the same Western League.  Truby advance $8000 to buy and install lights…before Des Moines could open their season!

On April 17, 1930, Truby’s Independence Producers beat the House of David 9-1 in front of 1700 fans in an exhibition game under the lights.

On April 28, the Producers were beaten by the Muskogee Indians 13-3 in the first professional game played under lights.  It was witnessed by 1500 fans.  A female fan in attendance told the Independence Daily Reporter, “I think it is pretty ritzy, myself.”

The sports editor of the Wichita Eagle called night baseball “a novelty” and predicted it would not be as popular as day games.

Night baseball was considered the savior of the minor leagues.  In 1935, night baseball came to the major leagues.