_________________________________________________________ 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 00405 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 11 Publisher and Author April 21, 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: CLIFFORD PLAYS SOME HOOPS "Pa-ping, pa-ping, pa-ping!" Emily recognized that sound emanating from Clifford's palatial doggie domain as she hustled cross the soggy backyard on a very rainy Sunday afternoon. In fact, there were spring downpours all day, thus she assumed her faithful furry companion would be playing inside to avoid becoming a proverbial "wet dog." "Pa-ping, pa-ping, pa-ping!" There it was again, as she neared the front door. Emily thought he was watching a NBA playoff game with the sound turned up, but when she entered the main room she could easily see the big flat screen was dark. Clifford was standing there completely unaware of Emily, and was going through a series of fast-paced ball handling drills alternately dribbling with forepaws and occasionally substituting a back set. He appeared highly proficient, and totally absorbed with his work. Emily didn't say a word, decided not to interrupt, and leaned against a side wall to watch him perform. Clifford was putting on a real clinic, "Pa-ping, pa-ping, pa-ping!" He finally sensed someone's presence, smiled at Emily, but continued his routine. Finally, he acknowledged her with a low "Hey!" raising one big red ear, as only he can. "I'm impressed," Emily responded, and she truly was with exceptional ball handling ability for someone so large. Clifford, who had been practicing for a long time was in need of a break, so he bounce-passed the ball to Emily. "Whoa, big fella," she exclaimed, caught the ball, and added, "Baseball's my game. Does JoAnn know about this?" "Sure!" he snapped. "I gotta get a drink," and he turned towards his water bowl. "Slurp, slurp, slurp," he looked up briefly to swallow. "Sure, even she plays volley ball during the winter when the weather is bad. The Flames have indoor practices for spring training. Indoor exercises help keep skills sharp. Slurp, slurp, slurp." A wet tongued Clifford quickly returned to the main room where Emily had been waiting. Emily tossed a huge towel in Clifford's direction, which he thankfully caught on the fly. "Who's your favorite player?" Emily politely inquired to continue the conversation. "Big Bird!" Clifford decided to be cute with his response, although Emily knew he meant "Larry." She went along with his charade, "I thought you were going to say the Chicago Bull. He's big and red, too!" They both laughed, but her remark started Clifford thinking about famous teams. "I also admired 'Red' Auerbach," he reflected. "But, he was a coach," Emily countered with her limited knowledge of basketball. "Sure, for the Celtics," Clifford concurred. "His record was 1,037 and 548, and he earned 16 NBA titles." "Wow! Great stats in any league!" Emily was impressed. "He believed in practicing techniques and understanding personalities," Clifford observed. "Even if someone is good at their game, they have to be motivated to perform. A great coach has to perfect both in their players." "JoAnn and the Flames!" Emily surmised. "Right!" Clifford woofed. "Auerbach strongly believed in a quick offense with a running game based upon rebounds and fast breaks." "In baseball," Emily contributed, "that would be similar to getting on first base, subsequently running and stealing to reach third, and being ready to score. Flames do that! As for Laura, she just hits the ball, and runs, runs, runs! There's no way of stopping her on the basepaths, it's all legs and arms in a wondrous whirlwind of motion." "Hmmm," Clifford smiled and visualized the familiar scene, and then added. "Red Auerbach was also a college star at George Washington." "I didn't know that," Emily was surprised with the revelation. "Sure, he was a top competitor," Clifford continued, "and led the Colonials in scoring during his senior year averaging 10.6 points per game." "You know who else was a star in GW basketball?" Emily posed an obvious question, and on this subject was in her element. "Yeah, I know, I know," Clifford was more than fully aware of the answer, "that's who has been teaching me to dribble," he admitted. "Why do you think I'm so good?! She also put a hoop on the back wall in the parking lot of the Pet Barn. She plays a great Auerbach style game, fast and sure." Emily only smiled, and bounce-passed a ball with Colonials markings back to Clifford so he could continue to practice inside on a rainy spring day, as only he can. Note: Kelly Ballentine #14 NWB Hall of Fame Induction 2001 NWB National MVP Award 1999 Kelly Ballentine #14 George Washington University Basketball Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year 1982-83 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team 1983-84 #1 Most Points Per Game 40 February 27, 1983 #1 Season Most FG Attempts 579 1982-83 * #2 Season Scoring Average 21.8 1982-83 * #6 Season Scoring Total 566 1982-83 * #6 Career Free-Throw Percent .800 1982-86 ** #7 Career Total Scoring 1,540 1982-86 * 26 games (25 regular season and 1 playoff). ** 200 points out of 250 free-throw attempts. 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 April 18, 1880 Sam Crawford birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 18, 1923 Yankee Stadium opens. April 19, 1960 Bill Veeck unveils exploding scoreboard. April 19, 1981 Longest game starts, 33 innings, Rochester Red Wings and Pawtucket Red Sox. April 20, 1891 Dave Bancroft birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 20, 1912 Fenway Park opens. April 21, 1887 Joe McCarthy birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 21, 1925 Queen Elizabeth II birthdate. April 22, 1451 Queen Isabella of Spain birthdate. April 22, 1914 Babe Ruth pitches first game, 6-0 shutout, AAA Baltimore Orioles and Buffalo Bisons. April 23, 1900 Jim Bottomley birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 23, 1921 Warren Spahn birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 23, 1954 Hank Aaron hits first home run. April 24, 1901 First American League game. April 24, 1945 A.B. Chandler elected Baseball Commissioner after Kenesaw Mountain Landis. April 25, 1884 Pop Lloyd birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 26, 1900 Hack Wilson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 26, 1961 Roger Maris hits first home run of 61. April 27, 1896 Rogers Hornsby birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 27, 1959 Sheena Easton birthdate, singer. April 27, 1961 Enos Slaughter birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 28, 1901 White Sox hit 23 singles in one game. April 28, 1941 Ann Margaret birthdate, actor. April 28, 1971 Hank Aaron hits 600th homerun. April 29, 1876 First National League extra innings game. Boston and Hartford in 10 innings. April 29, 1934 Luis Aparicio birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 29, 1981 Steve Carlton strikes out 3,000th batter. April 29, 1986 Roger Clemens strikes out 20 in 9 innings. April 30, 1903 NY Highlanders (Yankees) win home opener with Washington Senators. April 30, 1922 Charles Robertson pitches perfect game. April 30, 1961 Willie Mays hits 4 homeruns in one game. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 11, Clifford Plays Some Hoops (Auerbach), April 21. Number 10, Tales of Narda: Lady with the Light, April 13. 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 __________________________________________________________