_________________________________________________________ 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 00410 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 16 Publisher and Author July 11, 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: BEGIN THE BALL-GUINE [Opening scene, visiting team's dugout, bright sunshine, and players gather on the front steps to hear today's lineup. Informal chatter, as two late arriving players are still inside lacing up.] Dugout Player: "Hey JoAnn, how come those pesky BarnCats are already on the field?!" Brashly observed one of the Flames also impatient to start warm-ups. Off-Stage: "They were here first! Anything goes!" Dugout Player: "What, 'anything goes?' Hit it Cole!" With that cue, those feisty Flames were off and running, joining in a raucous opening chorus before the game, and in typical fashion, they needed no further introduction. [Refrain 1] "On game days we will wear white stockings, with pants for sliding is rather shocking, and tear off those panty hose, well I suppose, anything goes!" "Those authors who should use better words, fein attempts in rearranging clever terms, for updating some olden prose, must I suppose, anything goes!" "If playing baseball you like, if standing up tall you like, if hitting the ball you like, and giving your all you like, certainly no one will oppose. Cause anything goes!" "If sporty Mae Wests you like, if uniformed chests you like, if the athletic set you like, and seeing the best you like, with locker room fur exposed. Not everything goes!" "Just think of all those base hits you got, round-trips you got, fine steals you got, fast wheels you got, suiting-up for our leader Jo." "Just think of those Brady catches you got, pretty days you got, team praise you got, trophy vase you got, seems better than any Oriole." "So, if you're playing this or another day, on ballpark fields or studios on Broadway, to keep healthy on your toes, a Flame knows, anything goes." JoAnn: "Oh, ladies! I want you swinging not singing! Who put in that little bit on Brady?!" she attempted to conceal a smile. And, her Flames understood building team spirit often is beneficial, and may assist during games. However, in her typical managerial style, cordially and succinctly JoAnn addressed the original question from the dugout. JoAnn: "Yes, because they were ready first, and this is their territory. Don't worry! I'll make certain we have an equal amount of warm-up time on the field." She adroitly surveyed the situation, "Take advantage of the opportunity to watch them carefully, especially Eve their catcher. She has good moves to first, and reminds me of Ballentine." With those approving remarks, the Flames confidently looked at each other with grins and glee having a few songs in store ready to be released. Rosie: "Thanks JoAnn, you're always taking care of us, and looking out for things. Do you know why?" Dugout chorus: "Oh, why is that Rosie?" slight pause, "Because..." [Refrain 2] "You're the top, should play at the Colosseum. You're the top, inducted into the NWB museum." "You're Shakespeare's sonnets, outshining Sir Haley's comet. You can raise us from the bottom to the top." "You're my full course dinner, You're the tournament winner, You're Ritz's best hot toddy, You're Chrysler's artsy body." "You're Didrikson's gold feet, You're Weissmuller at a meet, You're as Gehrig is reliable, You're Ruth's 714 undeniable." "You're Aqueduct's first date, You're Sonja's figure eights, You're Dizzy's mighty throws, You're Dempsey with his foes." "You're Jones over the greens, You're LaGuardia swept clean, You're new dresses from Saks, You're exempt from sales tax." "Because, special lady, donned in number nine, games are always fine, only you can raise us, only you can raise us, you can raise us from, the bottom to the top!" JoAnn: "Hmmm, I'm not so sure about all this, are you a ball team or a chorus line?" Rosie: "Everyone sings before a ballgame, even if it's a little off 'Key.'" she snickered. JoAnn: "Well, I'm going over to talk to the BarnCats. I believe, the Flames need to quickly take the field!" While JoAnn departed across homeplate for managerial discussions, the remaining Flames gathered along the dugout steps. [Refrain 3] "Let's talk about sports! No Venus and Adonis or a silvery moon, no Brunhilde for who Siegfried swoons, no Cleopatra and Antony's Actium doom." "Let's consider ladies who are brainer, and they were trained in Pennsylvania." "Let's talk about sports! of diamonds and thrills, of basepaths and spills, lines marked to 90 feet, players run with cleats." "Let's talk about sports! of neat manicured parks, of lights on after dark, seven innings our shows, scoreboards to overflow." "Or later if you want to, we delve into astronomy, and even in chemistromy, but if you are biblical, the book of Deuteronomy." "But, let's talk sports!" Rosie: "Hey, JoAnn's coming back. Let's do one more tune while those BarnCats are leaving the field." [Refrain 4] "When they begin the ballgame, it brings back memories ever green, it brings back feelings to be free, it brings back the youthful sprees. Around the field trees are swaying, bluest sky with white lines saying, to me always recalling the beguine." "When they begin the ballgame, it brings back a scene when serene, it brings back a time most sublime, it brings back many moments divine. Return to warm places day or night, suddenly I know what heaven's like, at Elysians they dance the beguine." JoAnn: "OK, Flames listen up, the field is free so lets get ready. Remember this is a warm-up, so don't showoff all your stuff and save your speed. Just get loose." She cautiously examined her team, "Did I miss something?" [Fade-out, team members SILENTLY collect mitts, confidently take their positions, readying themselves for more rehearsals.] Note: Parodies written for this article were significantly modified from songs by Cole Porter, 1891-1964. Refrain 1: "Anything Goes," 1934. Refrain 2: "You're the Top," 1934. Refrain 3: "Let's Not Talk About Love," 1941. Refrain 4: "Begin the Beguine," 1935. Beguine (beg'-en): From Holland, religious sisterhood without formal vows established in the 12th Century. Beguine (bi-gen'): From Martinique, stylized rhythmic dance music popular in the U.S. during the early 20th Century. 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 July 10, 1868 Bobby Lowe birthdate, first player to hit 4 homeruns in one game. July 10, 1934 Carl Hubbell retires Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in succession. July 10, 1936 Chuck Klein hits 4 homeruns in one game. July 10, 1945 Virginia Wade birthdate, tennis champion. July 11, 1914 Babe Ruth starts first MLB game as Red Sox. July 11, 1985 Nolan Ryan 4,000th strikeout. July 12, 1901 Cy Young wins 300th game. July 13, 1889 Stan Covaleski birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 13, 1903 Ed Delahanty found beneath Niagara Falls. July 13, 1934 Babe Ruth hits 700th homerun. July 13, 1938 Sheila Widnall birthday, Air Force Secretary July 13, 1963 Early Wynn wins 300th game. July 14, 1967 Eddie Mathews hits 500th homerun. July 14, 1968 Hank Aaron hits 500th homerun. July 15, 1876 NL first no-hitter, George Washington Bradley. July 15, 1905 Shirley Povich birthdate, DC sports columnist. July 15, 1952 Walt Dropo 12 consecutive hits in one day. July 16, 1889 Shoeless Joe Jackson birthdate, MLB player. July 16, 1942 Margaret Smith Court birthdate, tennis champion. July 17, 1941 Joe DiMaggio completes 56 game hitting streak. July 17, 1974 Bob Gibson 3,000th strikeout. July 18, 1941 Martha Reeves birthdate, entertainer. July 18, 1970 Willie Mays 3,000th hit. July 18, 1940 Joe Torre birthdate, MLB manager. July 19, 1910 Cy Young wins 500th game. July 19, 1927 Ty Cobb 4,000th hit. July 20, 1858 First baseball admission 50c in Long Island. July 20, 1901 Heinie Manush birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 20, 1933 Nelson Doubleday birthdate, baseball publisher. July 21, 1881 Johnny Evers birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 21, 1973 Hank Aaron 700th homerun. July 22, 1908 Amy Vanderbilt birthdate, etiquette expert. July 22, 1893 Jesse Haines birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 23, 1880 Emma Carr birthdate, Garvon Chemists Medal. July 23, 1925 Lou Gehrig hits first grand slam homerun. July 23, 1936 Don Drysdale birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 24, 1898 Amelia Earhart birthdate, early aviator. July 24, 1911 Addie Joss benefit game at Cleveland. July 25, 1930 Athletics two triple steals in one game. July 25, 1941 Lefty Grove wins 300th game. July 26, 1902 Gracie Allen birthdate, comedian. July 26, 1923 Hoyt Wilhelm birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 27, 1880 Joe Tinker birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 27, 1903 Leo Durocher birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 28, 1889 Bullet Joe Rogan birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 28, 1949 Vida Blue birthdate, MLB pitcher. July 28, 1966 Rachel Sweet birthdate, entertainer. July 28, 1991 Dennis Martinez pitches perfect game. July 29, 1996 Tommy Lasorda retires, MLB manager. July 30, 1890 Casey Stengel birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 30, 1968 Ron Hansen unassisted triple play. July 31, 1816 Lydia Bradley birthdate, founded college. July 31, 1932 Municipal Stadium opens in Cleveland. July 31, 1954 Joe Adcock hits 4 homeruns in one game. July 31, 1961 All-Star game 1-1 tie at Fenway Park. July 31, 1990 Nolan Ryan wins 300th game. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 16, Begin the Ball-Guine (Porter hits), July 11. Number 15, Puttin' on Your Mitts (Berlin hits), July 3. Number 14, 2008 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, June 29. Number 13, Judy, Judy, Judy (Johnson), June 12. Number 12, Tales of Narda: The Guessing Game, May 10. 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 __________________________________________________________