From forestry and farming to The Ballpark at Noel Farms
The story of Mary Noel’s family contribution to the youth of the Quad Cities.
The Noel family farm in Bettendorf, Iowa has seen many uses of the years. In each of these, the land has been in production – providing forestry products, grains from the fields, livestock and the productive work of a trucking company.
Mary Noel has been proud to see all that the land has produced. She was happy to have raised her family on the farm and she is glad now to help produce an opportunity for Quad City young people – The Ballpark at Noel Farms.
Mary Freeland first met Jim Noel in North Dakota, when Jim was there to help harvest crops on a threshing crew. When Mary first came to Bettendorf, there was nothing in sight but a train depot. One person on the train asked Mary if she was sure she wanted to get off the train!
Jim had already been farming his parents’ land for several years. In August 1941, he and Mary purchased the 140-acre farm. From the family home, Jim and Mary oversaw productive operations in trucking and farming. They also operated a saw mill called “Noel Wood Products” in the 1940s and 1950s. All the while, the Noels helped their community grow and prosper.
In the spirit of helping the community, in 1998 the Noel family allowed a portion of the family farm to be developed as a baseball complex for use by area youth. The Barnstormer Baseball Club will use the complex for league games and tournaments. The club also uses the facility to hold unique baseball focused events for youth of the community who might not otherwise have the chance to learn a love for baseball and teamwork.
Barnstormer Baseball teaches baseball fundamentals, teamwork, leadership, discipline, positive attitudes and integrity. Those are the same traits that helped the Noel family succeed in all of their endeavors. Now, because of the generosity of the Noel family, more of our area’s young people can learn these important qualities for success as they play on - The Ballpark at Noel Farms.