_________________________________________________________ F A M E F O R U M N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L W O M E N 'S B A S E B A L L H A L L O F F A M E National Syndicated Column (contents are protected) Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2008 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU348663, TXU346055. Issue Number 00403 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 09 Publisher and Author April 2, 2008 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2007 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTION KRIS "LEFTY" RANISZEWSKI SEE THE WEBSITE FOR ALL "HALL OF FAMERS" http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/albums DIDRIKSON, HOWARD, SCHILLACE, DANCER, FERGUSON, WINTER, WRIGHT, LUKASIK, MILLIKEN, BALLENTINE, GEYER, WALLACE, CIULLA, GUIDACE, MACURIO, SHELDON, BEAUCHAMP, HUDSON, BRENNEMAN, FERENO, SWEENEY, NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: TALES OF NARDA (BOOK 9): TURNING THE WAR CLUB We return to our previous story which briefly described the origins of a wondrous tree in the Quigley's backyard. In that episode, Narda Quigley encountered a new neighbor who indicated the tree had magical proprieties which were retained within a recently fallen branch. He suggested transforming the remains of that limb into a very special baseball bat just for her. Since Narda loved baseball, she wholehearted agreed that the project should proceed. Once completed, he promised she would never miss anything with her new club because it was derived from that tree. No matter what happened or where she went, Narda would always hit the ball. Thus, our delightful duo, after dinner with respective families, secretly retreated to the neighbor's basement where there was a workshop equipped with a wood lathe. Uninterrupted they were alone to ensure the magic would work as the lathe began turning and whirling. "Have you ever done this before?" Narda inquired of her recent acquaintance as she moved closer almost touching. "Not exactly," he whispered while watching the wood spin and carefully preparing his cutting tool. "Almost once," he continued, "but this is pretty basic. I've read about it in books, and made several handles. This is similar, except for some curves here and there. Why not give me some suggestions as we go along to make sure it'll fit alright." Narda silently nodded in agreement, while her neighbor marked guidelines in pencil on the twirling cord. "A key factor is proper length," he noted, "it shouldn't be too long or too short. It should last for many years, and we should factor in something extra for growth." "Well, I don't need a war club like Babe Ruth," Narda considered. "He wielded a 54oz bat which was 35" long." "And, Al Simmons had a 38 incher," the neighbor smiled. "You won't need that either, but just over 30", maybe an inch or two more. I may always trim but can't add." "OK, but what about the shape?" Narda further inquired. "Tell me what you'd like," he proposed, "for the barrel thickness, and where to taper the handle. Afterwards, you can sand the handle and style it for a proper grip. Joe DiMaggio always did that personally for all his bats. At the end, the knob is fairly standard, it's something to keep your hands from slipping." "I know, I know," Narda excitedly agreed. "It's a very special bat, and the dimensions must be just right." "Kee-rect!" he smiled. "This wood is magic like the tree in London, and it became a wardrobe in a country estate. The bat should last forever with no mistakes. Perfect!" He lowered his head nearer the work and carefully guided the cutting tool. Long spiral curls fell to the basement floor as a cylindrical shape slowly began to emerge from the glowing spinning wood. "What happened to the tree in London?" Narda was curious as she watched him proceed. "You mean when it was blown down and made into furniture?" he replied while shaping the wood. "Before that," Narda explained. "How it survived the war with bombs and such, without a scratch. You seem to know something about history." "In the second German War, the Nazi's used conventional bombs after the fall of France during 1940, and later in mid-1944 rocket bombs, first the V-1's then more powerful V-2's. Those rockets came after the Normandy invasion, however by then the RAF and USAAF controlled the skies. The London tree withstood the worse that Goring and the Luftwaffe could offer." "There were fire bombings in many London neighborhoods," he further explained, "somehow that street and backyard were always spared. Its roots may have extended beyond the kingdom's soil and the bark provided its own special protection. But, like all living things, eventually it succumbed to natural causes, and its spirit continued within offshoots of fruit planted in other lands." "German rockets and jet planes looked highly unusual by today's design standards," he continued with accounts about the war, "but could have had a serious impact on the conflict's outcome. They were developed too late, but were not jokes, as were some other 'secret weapons' such as 'Lord Haw Haw!'" "Lord, who, who?" Narda snickered. "He was a version of 'Tokyo Rose.' This so-called Lord broadcast German propaganda in English which was beamed across the Channel from occupied Holland. There was no serious content; it was more amusing than substantive." "This was Goebbels' idea, one of his less effective, but inside Germany he completely controlled everything in the media covering all information in print, radio, and film with his Reich Ministry of Information and Propaganda or 'Volksaufklarung und Propaganda.' His state agency even approved who could engage in reporting. Back then there wasn't television, but Hitler liked American movies, and Goebbels' office produced newsreels and documentaries." "During World War II, we also attempted to generate some foreign propaganda;" he continued, "it wasn't effective. There was a small unit of women writers assigned the task of creating false 'news stories' aimed at demoralizing German troops. They were stationed off Nebraska Avenue near American University." "Most 'Nebraska Avenue' stories were nonsense, and never reached intended audiences. Dr. Goebbels only permitted approved government views to be expressed inside Germany." "By contrast," he completed the thought, "in democracies there is freedom of the press, even in wartime, and it's far easier for us to be influenced by foreign propaganda disguised and originating in our internal news sources." "What kind of stories did they write on Nebraska Avenue?" Narda was intrigued, as the bat continued turning. "Fictitious fabrications," he attempted to explain while keeping both his eyes keenly fixed on the spinning lathe, "with headlines such as: 'German soldiers while you are fighting at the front your wives are having love affairs back home.' Or, something like: 'Hitler encourages wives to produce more children needed by the Reich without you.'" "Who'd believe that?!" Narda smiled. "Kee-rect!" he agreed. "They didn't attempt to disguise the source. German soldiers who heard such nonsense had a good laugh listening to our versions of Lord Haw Haw." "As for today," he projected, "our adversaries have had 60 years to improve techniques. As I said, democracies have freedom of the press. Dictatorships still operate like Dr. Goebbels' office." "Dad said we lost Vietnam in the newspapers and not on the battlefield," Narda added. "My father was an admiral." "Yes, in our own media" he concurred, "and through front groups organized in opposition by enlisting our citizens. Freedom of the press and the right of assembly were used internally against our own nation." "Today, our adversaries know the best method to plant a realistic false story and film, or series of accounts, or form a movement and organization is to have someone here write, develop, and promote them either knowingly as a surrogate or as unknowingly as a willing follower. The latter is more dangerous, --a vocal citizen who is unaware of what he is doing against his own country." "Our adversaries mount campaigns on many issues because warfare is not only military related confrontations." "There are other forms of 'warfare' much more effective such as demographic, economic, political, and religious;" he speculated further, "which are often conducted with the pen and ideas instead of the sword and force." "Individuals in democracies must always be vigilant and analyze whatever they read and hear. Mencken once said, 'Don't believe anything you read (or hear) and only half of what you see.'" "Demographic warfare?" Narda was again intrigued. "The most direct form occurs after combat where armies invade, occupy, and remove indigenous populations to be replaced with other people." He explained with further examples, "The Romans did this in Judea in 70 AD, and there are similar biblical accounts." "Hitler employed another version in occupied lands where Himmler's 'Einsatzgruppen' enslaved or annihilated native peoples. In Germany, unwanted individuals were removed, and undesirable citizens were sterilized." "After the war, Stalin forcefully imported Russians into conquered Baltic States. The same approach today is used by China in Tibet. And, several years ago, Castro released hundreds of Cuban felons into the United States, although they were restrained. A similar process is occurring on a larger scale primarily originating from Mexico, but it does not include such obvious offenders." "Today there are sophisticated techniques," he switched to an explanation of more indirect methods, "designed to trick a population into destroying itself by influencing social behavior through internal media and front groups." "Hey, how do they ever get people to destroy themselves?" Narda wondered. "Something like Jimmy Jones in Guyana?" "If a society or nation does not reproduce, eventually it ceases to exist," he responded. "You mean like the Shakers?" she considered an example. "Hmmm, not exactly," he further explained. "There are overt and subtle techniques which may destroy a nation's population from within when they are unduly influenced to perform genocide upon themselves." "What do you mean?!" she demanded. "Let's address this one area, although there are other avenues of attack to consider on many different topics (power plants, petroleum refineries, and other defense industries) utilizing similar techniques." "Propaganda could influence and encourage individuals to eliminate or reduce the natural and necessary desire to have families and children, and attack organizations such as religious institutions which strongly support the sanctity of marriage." "Every civilized society must attempt to sustain itself, but propaganda can incite the reverse," he summarized. "How can it eliminate families and children?" she asked. "Easy, think about what has happened since the 1970's. Our society has been negatively influenced from within on destructive cultural issues promulgated from without." His dialogue continued. "Abortion is the most effective technique resulting in 70 million unborn since the 1970's, and no army or bomb could achieve such equivalencies." "While the infrastructure remains intact, the original population is significantly reduced. Front groups think they are supporting personal freedom, in fact, they are destroying their own future and are deliberately used." "Homosexuality is another effective technique where there usually is no reproduction. What if everyone practiced this proclivity? In one generation, there is no nation." "Divorce, easily and quickly encourages the destruction of families, and produces a lack of social cohesion which is vital for progress and prosperity." "Promiscuity destroys families, which belittles marriage, fosters animosity and distrust, and often spreads disease. Secular society misinforms us about the reality of nature. As the blossoms and apples from our tree, the sole source of life should not be misused in any manner." "Most religious groups, which have not been infiltrated and corrupted, oppose these four negative conditions, --abortion, homosexuality, divorce, and promiscuity. They appropriately adhere to and promote family values. Any country cannot be easily defeated when fortified with strong churches and united families." "Our adversaries would strive to sponsor a church, or more likely infect an existing institution, and use it to foster destructive values, like the four horsemen of the Apocalypse." "Grantland Rice," Narda whispered, but followed with another relevant question. "Why would anyone follow such destructive behavior?" "We have free will and the human mind is capable of believing almost anything. Dr. Goebbels was master of the 'Big Lie;' tell something over and over again no matter how outrageous, and eventually some people think it's true." He continued to explain. "It's also difficult for most people to see and admit their own mistakes." "Shakespeare wrote about it in 'Julius Caesar' where Cassius asked Brutus, 'Tell me good Brutus can you see your face?' and the response was, 'No Cassius for the eye sees not itself but by reflection, by some other things.' Cassius offered that he should serve as Brutus' mirror so he, '...will modestly discover to yourself that of yourself which you yet know not of.'" "C.S. Lewis said something similar regarding behavior. 'You understand sleep when you are awake, not while you are sleeping. You can see mistakes in arithmetic when your mind is working properly, but while you are making them you cannot see them.'" "Most people never see their own mistakes, and if they are pointed out by another, they become more entrenched in that belief and embittered towards the other. Even if the belief is inherently wrong and falsely implanted, it is no longer the issue. Rather, it is replaced by a sense of personal pride which when challenged becomes the issue at stake, not the incorrect belief, for such pride is internalized and staunchly defended." "Hey, I thought we were making a bat," Narda screeched, "not lecturing me about the world." "Kee-rect! Everything in good time, it's almost ready," while the lathe was still turning. Note: Although a derivation, the above article bears little resemblance to the C.S. Lewis series. "Chronicles of Narnia" and "Narnia," which are trademarks held by the C.S. Lewis estate. Lewis, 1898-1963, authored seven books by that title, was a professor of literature, and became a renown commentator on religion. During World War II, C.S. Lewis delivered a series of weekly BBC radio broadcasts in London from 1941-1944. His presentations in 10-15 segments aired throughout Britain, and covered morality and religion on themes entitled, "Natural Law" and "Right and Wrong." The author twice served as President, Middle Atlantic Division, Association of American Geographers, from 1976-1977 and 2002-2003, which covers the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. MAD/AAG consists of professional geographers in agencies as: USGS, CIA, NSA, NGS, DIA, NIMA, Census, State, and Library of Congress; and with universities that offer training in related research and analysis. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and bats. Free commemorative ribbons are available. The website main page has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE March 30, 2008 First game in Nationals Stadium, Washington, DC. March 30, 1904 James Ripper Collins birthdate, MLB player. March 31, 1823 Mary Chestnut birthdate, Civil War author. March 31, 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays first MLB game. March 31, 1998 Arizona Diamonbacks first MLB game. April 1, 1939 Phil Niekro birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 1, 1970 Seattle Pilots become Milwaukee Brewers, purchased by Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner. April 1, 1972 First MLB strike for 12 days. April 2, 1869 Hugh Jennings birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 2, 1909 Luke Appling birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 2, 1945 Don Sutton birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 2, 1945 Linda Hunt birthdate, Academy Award 1983. April 3, 1930 Wally Moon birthdate, MLB player. April 4, 1888 Tris Speaker birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 4, 1924 Gil Hodges birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 4, 1938 Bart Giamatti birthdate, MLB Commissioner. April 5, 1971 Senators last Opening Day in Washington, DC. April 6, 1903 Mickey Cochrane birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 6, 1908 Ernie Lombardi birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 6, 1952 Mari Lou Henner birthdate, Emmy Award actor. April 6, 1973 Designated hitter rule introduced. April 6, 1977 Mariners start as expansion team in Seattle. April 7, 1873 John McGraw birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 7, 1918 Bobby Doerr birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 7, 1970 Brewers start as transition team in Milwaukee. April 7, 1977 Blue Jays start as expansion team in Toronto. April 8, 1946 Catfish Hunter birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 8, 1974 Hank Aaron sets 715 home run record. April 8, 1975 Frank Robinson starts as Cleveland manager. April 9, 1893 Mary Pickford birthdate, silent film actor. April 9, 1913 Ebbets Field in Brooklyn opens. April 9, 1993 Rockies start as expansion team in Denver. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 09, Tales of Narda: Turning the War Club, April 2. Number 08, Playing for a Higher Authority (Natural), March 22. Number 07, Prayerful Pearl (Janis Joplin), March 14. Number 06, Reigning at Ringside in Ritchie (boxing), March 11. Number 05, Tales of Narda: Origin of the Magic Bat, February 28. Number 04, Clifford's Favorite Store (Ballentine), February 15. Number 03, Bases Loaded, Reel Two, (baseball movies) February 12. Number 02, Bases Loaded Remake (Sunset Boulevard), February 2. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 2. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/handouts E. NWB HALL OF FAME PROGRAMS The National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame, an independent not-for-profit organization established September 1998, is situated in suburban Washington, DC. The objective is to recognize achievements of women in regulation baseball. The NWB Hall of Fame offers these programs for participants in regulation baseball with organized leagues. Managers are are encouraged to recommend recognition awards and suggest articles on their teams, players, or events. Applications are available through email and are posted on the website. NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS Nominations for the NWB Hall of Fame are due September 30. Inductions may include four current and one previous players by formal application or candidate statement. NATIONAL MVP AND MANAGER AWARDS MVP player and manager award requests are due December 31. Season nominations should be by a manager or administrator. One MVP player per team may be selected annually. Membership covers transmission of newsletters, announcements, invitations, applications, and access to all website pages. Membership is $9.00 renewed annually, and an application is available on the NWB Hall of Fame website. _________________________________________________________ NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Richard C. Jaffeson, Executive Director PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20825 301-847-0102 HallFame@USA.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame" is a registered trade name with the State of Maryland. MD672265, October 19, 1998. Programs, articles, and contents presented herein are protected under provisions of the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. Fame Forum registrations are listed below. TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU348663, TXU346055. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2008 __________________________________________________________