_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2007 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, TXU186277. Issue Number 00364 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 07 Publisher and Author February 27, 2007 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2006 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO 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 TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: RUMBLE AT RITCHIE This wasn't a baseball diamond with a cool breeze on a warm summer afternoon. This wasn't a football stadium on a crisp autumn weekend. And, it wasn't basketball either on indoor courts with polished hardwood floors, squeaking sneakers, and flying elbows. This was boxing, --inside, intense, close, and personal. It just doesn't get any more personal for each contender. This the most ancient of games is where there is no one else to rely upon except yourself and your ability every split second in the ring, because if you don't... Look out! Hard hitting is permitted! It's required! I arrived early Saturday evening February 24 to watch preliminary bouts before the principal tournament was scheduled to commence. This was a historic event the "First Annual Maryland Collegiate Boxing Invitational" in classic Ritchie Coliseum, a name rich in Maryland tradition, a reference harkening back to Olympic fame, a formidable building hosting regional and national sporting events since 1932 situated on US-1 a major artery of the nation. In its day prior to interstates, the whole world could pass by this building, and it remained patiently waiting and waiting for the return of its most favored athletes in memory of matches which were fought here, and now those new versions of the backbone of America who will in turn lace the gloves and fearlessly step into the ring with high spirits and hopes for victory, and that sweet taste of hard earned success recognized by the medal of champions. The preliminaries continued as I settled in to observe, gather my surroundings, and consider the sense of place. I breathed in the sensations from a second row VIP seat along ringside on the isle, while no one else was in the immediate vicinity, just me and the walls of Ritchie. Nonstop action, quick moving feet, even faster hands with well measured straight punches, inside jabs, and occasional uppercuts. What else? I wasn't certain, there was more than just the boxers; and the leather, canvas, matting, and rosin. Surrounding and permeating this ring was the sweat, spit, noise, exhaustion, tensions, energy, and extensibly more, --eyes and hands coordinated as one, y-chromosomes firing in every cell, and testosterone instantly surging through every muscle. Super-charged for combat more so than any type of contestant seen in any other sport. Not a batter at homeplate, not a pitcher with a windup, not halfback running the ball, not a forward making a quick lay-up could compare to this constant action and reaction made without hesitation in immediate response. This was remarkable. The hills and valleys of central Pennsylvania, the ridges and mountains of West Virginia, the far eastern shores of Maryland and its Appalachian highlands still produce young men who excel in this pugilistic endeavor. Once they came from the toughest neighborhoods which were Sparrows Point and those along industrial Pulaski Highway. Today another chapter is evolving in this continuing story, not a moment too soon for the salvation of a nation. This recognizes reality and correctly counters false images promulgated by Bill Moyers to diminish the fighting spirit and subjugate proper characterizations of Joseph Campbell. I reviewed the tournament schedule and was impressed with the representation, --Navy (Annapolis), Army (West Point), West Virginia, Penn State, UNC, VMI, The Citadel, several other national universities, and a powerhouse team from the University of Maryland. There was a strong contingent from Loch Haven University with boxers hailing from the heart of central Pennsylvania. All were champions in their own right in order to participate this evening and determine the best of the best in each class. The University of Maryland boxing program had outstanding teams in the 1930's and 1950's. Of eight NCAA champions in 1954 by weight class, Maryland was famously and proudly represented by Garry Garber, Vincent Palumbo, Gary Fisher, and Leo Coyne. This evening I was the guest of Garry Garber, but most of this illustrious vanguard had not yet arrived, as I continued to watch the preliminaries. The announcer began introducing individuals he recognized as they arrived. Patrick Panella, Executive Director of the Maryland Athletic Commission and his wife took their seats immediately in front of me. Benny Alperstein, 1937 national champion arrived assisted by his wife, and placed themselves in the next reserved seats. His words were ever sharp for even at 90 the fighting spirit endures. Alperstein enjoyed similar events when he was in his prime, when this hall was new and his own, when the names and faces were fresh. The boxing program at Maryland was intentionally discontinued forty years ago, but its resurgence is primarily because of Luke Runion who transferred to the university from Penn State and wanted to continue his favorite sport. I read further that Runion won the National Collegiate Boxing Association heavyweight title in 2003, a real contender to be reckoned with and respected. Runion formed a new Boxing Club when he arrived along US-1, which today boasts 90 members, and from its ranks there should be more future national champions. Then a familiar friendly voice rang out across the ringside, "Rich, no baseball tonight. This is boxing, boxing, boxing." He grabbed my hand energetically, "This is where we fought. I know every brick in the building. Glad you could make it; look and see what happens." He smiled and joined his family two rows back. This was his natural environment as I watched a transformation, and Garry's youthful perspective returned, and I could sense it in the way he talked and walked. His entire demeanor changed. The 1954 national boxing champ and international Maccabean Games winner came home to Ritchie and boxing is back at Maryland. Note: Legendary Harry Byrd proposed the construction of Ritchie Coliseum with a $20,000 grant from the State and the remainder to raised by the Board of Regents. Fund raising fell short of expectations and Governor Ritchie was pressed to provide more tax-payer dollars to complete the project. Once achieved, a grateful Byrd named the building in honor of the governor. Subsequently, Byrd became university president in February 1936 (serving as acting president from July 1935). In 1932, the total cost for Ritchie Coliseum was $181,000, a state-of-the-art facility. The "Second Annual Invitational..." should be in February or March 2008. Champions receive a golden medal with a neck ribbon similar in style to the Medal of Honor. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and bats. Free commemorative ribbons are also available. The website main page has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame The 2006 commemorative button (Inductions: Nelson, Dominguez, and Triolo; and Triple Crown: Milliken) is available, and may be ordered from the website or with the form provided below. 2006 NWB/HOF COMMEMORATIVE BUTTON _________________________________ Name _________________________________ Address _________________________________ City,State,Zip []-1 button $2 []-2 " " 3 []-3 " " 4 Print this form. Checks should be payable and sent to: NWB Hall of Fame, PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, MD 20825 C. HISTORIC TIMELINE February 24, 1874 Honus Wagner birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 25, 1922 Rose Bascom birthdate, Cowgirl Hall of Fame. February 25, 1924 Marie Boyd, 156 points at Lonacoming, MD. February 26, 1887 Grover Cleveland Alexander birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 26, 1935 Babe Ruth signed with Boston Braves. February 27, 1877 Spike Briggs birthdate, MLB owner. February 27, 1964 April Heinricks birthdate, soccer star. February 28, 1824 C.Blondin birthdate, Niagara Falls aerialist. March 1, 1917 Dinah Shore birthdate, entertainer. March 1, 1973 Robyn Smith first win at Aqueduct. March 2, 1909 Mel Ott birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 3, 1860 Monte Ward birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 3, 1872 Willie Keller birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 3, 1962 Jackie Joyner Kersee birthdate, Olympic athlete. March 4, 1891 Dazzy Vance birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 4, 1897 Lefty O'Doul birthdate, MLB executive. March 4, 1939 Joanne Carner birthdate, golf champion. March 5, 1939 Samantha Eggar birthdate, film actor. March 6, 1885 Ring Lardner birthdate, sportswriter. March 6, 1900 Lefty Grove birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 6, 1940 Willie Stargell birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume X, 2007 Season Publications Number 07, Rumble at Ritchie (boxing), February 27. Number 06, Million Dollar Mermaid (Belles), February 14. Number 05, Clifford's Pennsylvania Pilgrimage, February 1. Number 04, Beisbol Belles Broadcast (training), January 30. Number 03, Liberty Heights Revisited, January 18. Number 02, In Remembrance of President Jerry Ford, January 3. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 1. 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, TXU186277. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________