Rutgers defeated Springfield 44-13 on October 30, 1915 at Federal League Park in Harrison, N.J. Earlier that year, construction started on March 1 and by April 16 the Newark Peppers of the Federal League played their first game at a packed 20,000 seat home. The Federal League was a rival to the American and National Leagues in baseball but lasted only two years. The Indianapolis Hoosiers (1914) were moved to Newark for the 1915 season. But the club and the League folded by the end of the year. Rutgers played Northwestern there in 1919 when its name changed to Harrison Park. It burned down on August 18, 1923.
Even though the Peppers existed in New Jersey for only the 1915 season, infielder Rupert Mills was still an active member of the non-existent 1916 Newark team. When he signed his contract he was guaranteed his 1916 salary provided he showed up for work. He fulfilled the contract obligation by showing up at an empty Harrison Park and did a workout each day. Fortunately, Mills lived in Newark and was the only New Jerseyan who "played" on the defunct Newark Peppers.
Even though the Peppers existed in New Jersey for only the 1915 season, infielder Rupert Mills was still an active member of the non-existent 1916 Newark team. When he signed his contract he was guaranteed his 1916 salary provided he showed up for work. He fulfilled the contract obligation by showing up at an empty Harrison Park and did a workout each day. Fortunately, Mills lived in Newark and was the only New Jerseyan who "played" on the defunct Newark Peppers.
