Photo identification help - Bay City Michigan 1914 or 1915?

[t206hound]

I picked up a few photos at an auction about a year ago. Just put them aside until now. I don't know if it's a hint or a distraction, but in the grouping are several photos (of a different size) of players from "Battle Creek" and another of players from "Adrian"... I'm assuming Michigan.

This photo measures 3.25x2.25 and obviously a set up pose. At this point, I'm just curious as to where the photo was taken.

Attached are the
1. full photo
2a. a close up of the player with something "AY" on the right side of the jersey and
2b. what is probably a Fatima Cigarettes sign in the outfield.
3. "Meet Me At The Grotto"
4. "Hotel Flanders"

Any help is appreciated.

[thecatspajamas]

Maybe Bay City, MI?

Bay City, MI: 1883-84, 1891, 1897-98, 1906-10 ????; 1893 (Riders); 1911-12 (Billikens); 1913-15 (Beavers); 1919-26 (Wolves)

Also, there was a Hotel Flanders in Chicago at least as early as 1926 when WFHC began broadcasting from there.

If it was grouped with others, are they of a similar timeframe? (Even if not, it would be interesting to see them all).

[Dto7]

Bay City, Adrian and Battle Creek only played together in the same league from 1909-1914. Bay City had a minor league team though 1926.

Bay City team 1913

[Runscott]

Isn't that a 'Fatima' ad on the fence? The Polo Grounds had one of those back in the 1910's.

Not saying it's the Polo Grounds, just noticing the ad.

[bmarlowe1]

The players dark collar matches the Bay City jerseys in Don's image.

[Dto7]

About Clarkson Park in Bay City 1909-1927

[bmarlowe1]

According to the book "Bay City, 1900-1940, in Vintage Postcards", p. 49, on Google books, The Grotto was one of 13 listed movies theaters in 1916.

[t206hound]

Great info everyone. I found the following site that states that the "Grotto Theater" was the name used from 1914 to 1926 in Bay City.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/13389

With all the pieces uncovered, I would say this is a Bay City MI team somewhere in the 1914-1926 timeframe.

You guys rock!

[t206hound]

nothing of help here, but documenting:



Bay City and Beyond in Vintage Postcards
Typographical Journal, Volume 47