Return of the Clowns: Barnstorming Baseball Then and Now
Presented by: The Biggest Little Baseball Museum
Return of the Clowns: Barnstorming Baseball Then and Now
Saturday, August 1, 2026 • 12:00 PM
Vickers Theatre • Free Admission
The Biggest Little Baseball Museum is bringing a fascinating piece of baseball history to Vickers Theatre for a free community presentation exploring the remarkable story of the legendary Indianapolis Clowns and their connection to today’s Banana Ball Championship League.
We’re pleased to welcome local author and former Indianapolis Clowns pitcher Bill Heward, who will share stories from his time with one of baseball’s most iconic barnstorming teams. During spring training this year, Savannah Bananas founder Jesse Cole invited Heward to speak with the newly revived Indianapolis Clowns about the team’s incredible history and the opportunity to carry on its unique legacy.
Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan, a Banana Ball enthusiast, or simply enjoy discovering local history, this engaging presentation offers a unique look at one of the game’s most entertaining and enduring traditions.
About the Speaker
Bill Heward, a Three Oaks native, pitched for the Indianapolis Clowns during the 1970s and chronicled the experience in his book Some Are Called Clowns: A Season with the Last of the Last of the Great Barnstorming Baseball Teams. A Professor Emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University, Heward also played at Western Michigan University after throwing a no-hitter for River Valley High School’s first baseball team. His family has deep local baseball roots, with his grandfather, Ola Heward, serving as an umpire for the historic Three Oaks Greens.
About the Biggest Little Baseball Museum
Located on the second floor of the historic Three Oaks Township Public Library, the Biggest Little Baseball Museum celebrates the rich baseball history of Three Oaks and the surrounding region through exhibits, memorabilia, and stories that preserve our community’s connection to America’s pastime.
We hope you’ll join us for this free event celebrating baseball history, local heritage, and one unforgettable team.