A New Type of Performance - Sporting Events in Manitowoc Theatres

Imagine the bright lights of a theater marquee sign. As you read the letters on the sign you expect to learn what theatrical performance or a musical group is in town. In Manitowoc, however, the theatre marquee sign likely once glittered for indoor baseball and women’s wrestling.

Indoor baseball did not make a big splash in Manitowoc. One night, during the winter of 1898, indoor baseball provided Manitowoc residents with an evening of entertainment and mayhem. Manitowoc baseball promoters sought to keep the summer game alive by moving it indoors for the winter season. News of this indoor sports performance was circulated and gained popularity in local newspapers. The game was held at the Opera House on Eighth Street. The orchestra pit was well utilized for this baseball event. The pianist set the stage for the sports event with dramatic mood music and catchy tunes. The baseball’s umpire came to the stage and took a bow to start off the game. As the lights were dimmed, Manitowoc’s baseball stars graced the stage and took bat. Unfortunately, the night turned to mayhem.

Right after the first bat, it became apparent that the theatre was not the best environment for baseball. Theatre lights blinded the third baseman, making him lose sight of a flyball. When the ball reappeared, it impaled another player on the shoulder. One player hit the ball into the rafters, causing it to rebound back into the audience. Manitowoc resident, William Willinger was hit square in the noggin. The crowd saw Willinger slump in his seat and promptly fall asleep after the hard hit. Another baseball player slid right into the orchestra pit when trying to advance from second to third base. It became obvious, during the second inning, that baseball was too destructive of a performance to be held in the opera house. Property damage and injuries caused the opera house operators to call off the game. There was no clear winner, as the score was 0-0. Although a novel idea, all involved parties realized that baseball was not an indoor game, especially if played in a theatre.

Exterior of the Opera House where an indoor baseball game was held in 1898. The Opera House was built in 1884 and operated for over 90 years. (MCHS 2011.58.24)

Opera House interior (MCHS 2011.58.25)

Baseball was not the only sporting event in Manitowoc to be held in a theatre at the turn of the century. Although unconventional, in 1911, the Orpheum Theatre hosted two women wrestlers. Women’s wrestling was considered taboo at the time. The attire and the act of wrestling were viewed as indecent for women. Women’s wrestling mostly originated as a sideshow at circuses. It was not taken seriously as a sport even well into the twentieth century.

These opinions about women’s wrestling were affirmed by Manitowoc’s Mayor Henry Stolze. The mayor ordered that women’s wrestling could not take place in the City of Manitowoc. When the Mayor heard that two women grapplers were advertised to appear at the Orpheum Theatre, he sent out Manitowoc Police Sgt. Tony Trochlell to shut down the event. Sgt. Trochlell, joined by 150 spectators, watched the first wrestling match between two men. When the women grapplers came to the ring, Sgt. Trochlell pushed his way into the ring and exclaimed, “There will be no such show tonight on order of the mayor of Manitowoc.” The audience was not thrilled about the announcement and tried to persuade Sgt. Trochlell to let the match go on. During this persuasive exchange at the ring, the two women grapplers dropped their robes and began their match on the other side of the theatre. Sgt. Trochlell ran to the scene to break up the match. The audience lost patience, and many started demanding their money back. Theatre owners begged Sgt. Trochlell to let the match go on. Even though the Mayor’s order broke up the match at the theater, the show did go on. The women put on a private performance, for about 50 people, on the Southside of the city.

Both the baseball game and the women’s wrestling match pushed the boundaries for where sports can take place. Although these events made for two dramatic and unusual evenings at the theater, they provide an interesting look into Manitowoc’s rich cultural history.

Exterior of the Orpheum Theatre which was previously known as the Turner Opera House. Located at S.7th & Washington Street, the Orpheum Theatre hosted two women wrestlers in 1911. (MCHS 2013.157.85)