Mineola Black Spiders

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter.
Please help Wikipedia by improving the introduction according to the guidelines laid out at Wikipedia:Guide to layout. You can discuss the issue on the talk page.

This article or section needs copy editing for proper spelling, grammar, usage, tone, style, and voice.
You can help by editing it now. A guide is available, as is general editing help.

Vern "V.A" Klingaman moved with his family from Marshalltown, Iowa to Mineola, Texas in the 1920's. In 1932, he formed a semi-pro barnstorming team called the "Texas Black Spiders." They were also called the "Mineola Black Spiders." They set out for the Midwest in a black school bus with the team's name on the side. The bus had no windows and featured a cob web on the back.

The club traveled extensively, arriving in Iowa in July of 1932. A dispute arose over player payments and ten players voted to leave the team, becoming the Mason City Black Bats. Vern returned to Mineola with the remaining players.

The Bats played against top barnstorming teams included in the Western House of David, Nebraska Indians, John Donaldons All-Stars and the Kansas City Monarchs. J.B. Griffin became the team's featured pitcher and ace. After the 1932 season ended, the players returned to Texas.

A number of the players were again on the Spiders roster in 1933 as the Spiders appeared in Minnesota. The Spiders returned to the Midwest from 1933 to 1936 and a team was fielded in 1938.