A Marker for Forgotten Pioneers
The Lubbock County Historical Commission will hold a public ceremony on July 11 at 10 a.m. to dedicate a new Texas Historical Marker that honors two of the city’s earliest baseball clubs.
Professional baseball first arrived in Lubbock in 1922 with the formation of the Lubbock Hubbers, a team that called a ballpark near College Avenue and 2nd Street home for several seasons. The club quickly became a fixture of local sport, capturing community attention and laying the groundwork for future competition.
Four years later, in 1928, the Black Hubbers emerged as Lubbock’s first African‑American semi‑professional baseball squad. Though operating under the constraints of segregation, the team demonstrated exceptional skill, winning several regional championships and earning respect across the Southwest.
Both teams amassed a series of accolades, including multiple league titles, and their stories have been preserved through oral histories, newspaper archives, and the occasional exhibition at local museums. Their legacy reflects a broader narrative of sport as a unifying force in a region marked by economic and social change.
The marker will be installed at the northeast corner of University Avenue and Baylor Street, the site of the former Hubbers ballpark, serving as a permanent reminder of the teams’ contributions. Commission officials note that the dedication aligns with a larger effort to recognize under‑documented chapters of Texas history.
The Lubbock County Historical Commission, which has placed more than 70 markers across the county, continues to champion the preservation of diverse narratives, ensuring that the achievements of early athletes are not lost to time.