The Official Website of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County

Description
Oscar Charleston Park is the home to Douglass Little League. Formerly known as Oxford Terrace Park, it was renamed in 1998 to Oscar McKinley Charleston Park after the near-eastside Indianapolis native who played for the Indianapolis ABCs, one of the top teams in early Negro League Baseball in 1915. He was the ABC's star centerfielder for seven seasons, and led them to a championship in 1916.

An all-round player with speed, strength, and exceptional fielding ability, he had a lifetime batting average over .350. His baseball skills were legend, and he was a top attraction at ballparks all over the country. During his long career, he also played on or managed other teams: The Pittsburgh Crawfords; Homestead Grays; Chicago American Giants; and the Indianapolis Clowns.

Charleston died in Philadelphia October 6, 1954. He was buried in Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis. Oscar Charleston was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1976.