_________________________________________________________ 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 00414 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 20 Publisher and Author July 23, 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: HIT THE BALL: ACT ONE, SCENE ONE [Pre-production meeting at a local studio discussing an opening scene for a remake of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."] "I want cheers right from the start!" producer Shelldrake confidently demanded of his newly assembled senior staff. "This movie must have a sharp crisp opening," he asserted. "I expect something special to take their breathes away, and if possible, put them on the edge on their seats from the first to final scene. And, naturally, our investors expect a big box office!" "I want something symbolically relevant that dramatically and immediately captures the audience's attention." "The initial storyboards are unimpressive," he momentarily reviewed several preliminary sketches of the opening scene, and cavalierly tossed them aside. "Imagine them sitting in theaters everywhere," Shelldrake started puffing on a cigar and speculated. "Most already know the story about the Wolves winning the World Series. But, that was during the past year, even in the original movie it was old news." "Look at what we have," the producer randomly retrieved a sketch off his office floor. "Fade-in to a 1900's ballpark while credits roll. Oh, so thrilling. Ha! Where's the action? They'll stampede to get more popcorn, and may never return!" "Or, this introductory sketch, the team is gathering for a group photo. Please, let's be realistic. Any portrait like that would be taken at the end of the World Series with all the championship players, and not at next year's spring training. The only advantage to this technique is an opportunity to introduce and identify key characters." "Another thing, with so many ballplayers wearing uniforms, each one needs a special gimmick so that they are instantly recognizable throughout the movie, --mannerism, expression, dialect, nickname, specialty, property, hair color or style, and moustache or sideburns. You know, something special." "For example, in the original version Jules Munshin sported a trademark cigar," Shelldrake quietly tapped a long ash. "The Wolves manager quickly identified him with the remark, 'Dose that heater, Goldberg!' which Munshin promptly placed under his baseball cap." Producer Shelldrake pointed to staff, "Scriptwriter, work in more character descriptions. Wardrobe and makeup, find ways for each key player to look unique." "Also," he continued, "several uniform numbers could match those of famous baseball heroes. The audience will go for a number 3 called Babe on the team or a number 5 named Joe. No major roles, just as visuals. Casting, find look-alikes. This would be a nice touch, and not too complicated." Some staff took notes, and an unidentified voice inquired, "What about the opening chief? What do you have in mind?" Shelldrake paused, "As for this opening, it should be a 'Wow!' Let's nail them with a homerun! There is nothing more exciting in baseball." "Make it a batting practice homerun to impress the team," he thought further, "like Tab Hunter in 'Damn Yankees,' or Redford in 'The Natural.'" "We'll begin with the audience hearing the crack of a bat, and the camera following a gleaming white ball across the deepest blue sky, no hint as to who hit the ball or why, a quick angle over to players standing around homeplate, then back to the ball as it reaches into the grandstands. The ball ricochets off steel beams, 'Bing, bing, bing,' and the sound echoes around the stadium. Got it!" "Sure, chief we can do that, and how about surreal crowd noises and intermittent images as if a stadium was packed?" "Now you're cooking, mix that in, it'll build suspense," Shelldrake concurred. "A camera will pan to all the players surrounding homeplate near the source of the Ruthian blast. And, the audience starts thinking, 'Who hit that homerun?' 'Why in batting practice?'" "Everyone going to a baseball movie has got to be excited about a homerun, it starts the film on the right foot and not in the bucket." "And, that leads us to the beginning dialogue. In the 1949 original, Esther Williams instructed Gene Kelly on how to improve his batting stance. He was in a slump. She straightened out his moves. Gene didn't like that, but it resulted in the opening wallop. So, we'll start with our Esther telling Gene how to hit the ball." "Our Williams could say, 'You were hitting it all wrong. Step properly into the pitch and shift your weight. And, don't put your foot in the bucket.'" One of the new staff asked, "Say, what did you mean by 'foot in the bucket?'" "It's a baseball expression," Shelldrake demonstrated the move, "which is perfect for this movie. It happens when a batter is placing the forward foot too far away from homeplate towards the baseline while stepping in to hit a pitch. It's a colorful phrase, putting one's foot into the water bucket." "I also want additional dialogue on batting. Include Ted Williams' three rules: 1. Get a good ball to hit, 2. Proper thinking, and 3. Be quick with the bat." Shelldrake retrieved a book off his desk, "It's all in his 'The Science of Hitting,' which Ted wrote while managing the Senators." He continued, "Confidence is the key! Practice builds confidence! Positive reinforcement builds confidence! Performance builds confidence! And, the result is a 'homerun' in any league." "Hey, chief, did any of those Williams ever say that?" "No, Shelldrake stated that, and it's like the movies. You rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse until it's right. Ninety percent of anything starts with what you think, and nobody can ever take that away from you." "Which reminds me, I want more of our Esther Williams on the field. Show her catching a fly, or scoping a grounder, and throwing the ball properly. And, there must be genuine compliments, you know, something like, 'Wow, did ya see that!', or 'Gee, what an arm!'" "We'll keep her name 'K.C. Higgins;' it was probably taken from Miller 'Mighty Mike' Huggins manager of the Yankees from 1918-1929 who won 3 World Series." "If possible, I would like Esther Williams in a cameo, perhaps as part owner of the team. This should be a dignified walk-on, or a telephone call with a word or two of encouragement. She must be about 87 this year." "I want her 1984 speech to the Olympic women medalists at the Waldorf Astoria incorporated into the movie in some manner. Legal, obtain necessary clearances, and scriptwriter, make it fit." "Esther Williams in her prime won national meets and set records in the 1930's for the powerful swim team of the venerable Los Angeles Athletic Club." "Her Olympic glory was suppose to be 1940 in Tokyo, which was canceled because of war. Forty-four years later she addressed the 1984 Olympic champions with words of wisdom, which should be an underlying theme of our movie, --life's fleeting accomplishments in any field of endeavor should be recognized and remembered." "OK, that's enough for now, I want those changes made. This should keep you busy, until tomorrow morning!" [Production staff arrange their notations, consider assignments, while Shelldrake confidently smiles and puffs on a cigar.] Esther Williams Address to Olympic Medalists Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, August 1984 "Gold medalists, there was a drama and struggle to prepare yourself for your Olympic triumphs and glory. Now that you have attained it, enjoy it with all your heart." "No matter what else happens to you the rest of your life, no matter how much you have to endure, you will always have the certain knowledge that you are winners. What's more you have a gold medal to prove it. When you run into life's disappointments and problems, always remember your physical, mental, and psychological strengths were there for you under the most trying circumstances, and you were not only equal to the stress, but able to best it." "There is wisdom to the phrase 'Personal Best.' You know the meaning of that special phrase, --you were there, and you accomplished it. Stay with this moment, remember and cherish it. You have just won, and prospects of fleeting worldly gain can never match the way you felt the moment you heard your name announced as the winner. It is what all the training and dedication was about from the moment you said, 'I'm going to try,' until the moment they handed you the gold medal." "Here you are in rarefied air with your sister colleagues, winners all. The applause has not yet died down. When it does, stay with the truth, which you have a right to know for the rest of your life. Remember you are a winner. This will be with you when you are called upon to be a daughter, a wife, a mother, or even a grandmother." "I will know you anywhere, because you will carry yourselves with glowing pride and self-assurance, just as you did when you stood tall on the highest winner's platform with the American flag unfurled behind you. Winner's all!" Note: Fame Forum articles on Esther Williams and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," include the following. "Hit the Ball: Act One, Scene One," Fame Forum, Volume XI, Number 20, July 23, 2008. "Batting Beauty," Fame Forum, Volume XI, Number 19, July 19, 2008. "Million Dollar Mermaid," Fame Forum, Volume X, Number 06, February 16, 2007. "O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg," Fame Forum, Volume IV, Number 13, March 16, 2001. 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 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 20, Hit the Ball: Act One, Scene One, July 23. Number 19, Batting Beauty (Esther Williams), July 19. Number 18, Playing and Pitching Parodies, July 16. Number 17, Swinging in the Rain (Freed hits), July 14. 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 __________________________________________________________