_________________________________________________________ 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 00367 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 10 Publisher and Author March 23, 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: CLIFFORD'S GIGANTIC GAMER "Clifford, this is not something you can just walk into the Pet Barn at anytime and purchase." Emily on this point had become unusually firm with her recalcitrant canine companion who was being somewhat difficult on a fine spring morning while surveying all the baseball equipment arrayed along an interior wall of his palatial doggie domain, and adamantly believing a vital component was missing. Baseball players are known to become very particular about their equipment. "Well, they have rawhide don't they?" he politely snapped. "Oh, Clifford, why am I even arguing with you," she pleaded. "Of course, she does, but that's for chewing not catching!" "Well, I do need something for spring training," Clifford began to broadly grin, "and I've never had a season gamer." He slowly placed a front paw forward and lowered his head. "You're partially correct," she carefully considered his display and recognized that familiar smile and stance, and sensed a customary willingness to understand and cooperate. Emily decided that more information rather than less could resolve this issue, placate her best buddy, and also save considerable expense. "Clifford, it's true you have your own bat," she began her explanation with an accepted fact. "You needed something which you could handle and swing, and it's almost the size of a small tree." They both giggled. "Twice I ordered a special model from the bat factory in Pennsylvania just for you," Emily reminded him. Clifford nodded in recognition and appreciation, and pulled back his ears. Emily could see she was on the right track. "When JoAnn said you could play for the Flames," continued Emily, "she gave you a cap to keep the sun out of your eyes and ears tucked in properly. As we know, umpires object to flapping ears and shirt tails, and some to wagging tails." Clifford snickered and thought about a shirt tail incident in the movie "The Caine Mutiny" with Humphrey Bogart, and a baseball story which Emily read to him "Mistress Roberts" (Fame Forum, Volume VI, Number 30, November 26, 2003). "As for a uniform, again you're all set in that department, as long as you play with the Flames," she proclaimed while Clifford glowingly admired his well groomed coat, and was even more pleased with her remarks. "Clifford, you have many 'advantages,' which are built-in, so to speak," Emily proclaimed. "For example, you never need cleats," she pointed to his large red paws. "Your claws are built-in cleats. You also have four-wheel drive, and can turn the bases at 90 degree angles better than anyone. You may extend or slide on any of four appendages. In this case, four are better than two, big buddy." Clifford separately raised and inspected each of his paws, and smiled in agreement. Emily was ready for the key point. "You have two of the best gloves ever made already built-in. Your paws have pads and fur. You can catch anything, which is why JoAnn assigned you to the Flames' outfield." Upon hearing those words, Clifford became extremely proud of his innate capabilities, smiling and raising his front paws, and pretending he was catching a baseball. "I'm ambidextrous, too," he contributed. With that remark, Emily now knew Clifford fully appreciated her explanation, and she considered it was safe to provide additional information. "You know Clifford," she began, "originally baseball players never wore any gloves, it was considered undignified." "The first major leaguer reported to use gloves," Emily noted, "was Doug Allison with the Red Stockings on June 28, 1870 at a game downtown against the Washington Nationals. It was in the papers, and Allison was roundly criticized, but he was a catcher and previously injured his fingers. His gloves were described as, '...a pair of buckskin mittens,' and not thick." "Several years passed before the second player dared to wear gloves, and that was Charlie Waitt in 1875 at first base for the Saint Louis Brown Stockings. Again, these were unpadded, and he used a half-finger style." "Acceptability was achieved during 1877 when Albert Spalding strode to first base with brand new gloves on his hands." "Hands? Spalding?" Clifford interrupted. "Yes, the very early coverings were like today's golf gloves, and players wore them on both hands. There was no padding to interfere with throws after a catch was made." "Spalding formed a company to sell gloves and other baseball and sporting items, the famous name of which you have heard. Those first gloves in the late 1870's sold for about $1-$3." "Infielders, catchers, and first basemen were initially the ones to acquire gloves as protection for their hands and to reduce the chance for broken fingers, and not necessarily to assist in fielding which become important in later years." "The first pitcher to succumb to the glove phenomenon was George Cuppy with Cleveland in 1893. It took more than two decades before pitchers began using gloves. Today they use them not only for fielding hard grounders and line drives, but also for concealing how they are holding the ball." "From 1870, it took 12 years before padding was introduced in 1882 by Arthur Irwin, an innovative shortstop with the Providence Grays. He sewed padding into the pocket." "Once padding was adopted, players switched to one glove, which became the universal practice by 1886." "It took a long time before design modifications stabilized, and many claim that occurred in 1957 with the introduction of the Wilson A2000, which established an industry standard. After that time, glove improvements became more a matter of refinements rather than innovation." "Some of the glove models in the early 1900's would be very challenging to use today," Emily speculated. "However, even then they provided distinct advantages besides reduction in injuries. Early improvements were needed because of overhand pitching, faster speeds, harder baseballs (as the dead-ball era ended), and fielders' desire to catch everything and improve performance. Some claim better gloves produced more double plays, and overall better defense greatly reduced the propensity for .400 hitters." Emily continued, "Players become very attached to their gloves representing a major piece of vital equipment similar to a bat. Although bats crack and break, gloves when damaged should be repaired, restitched, and restuffed. Many players enjoy and take pride in working on their glove themselves." "Gloves are often kept for years. Leo Durocher from 1925-1945 only had two gloves. Brooks Robinson used his until they almost fell apart, and so did Bill Mazeroski. Reggie Jackson used one for 17 years. They either disintegrated, became souvenirs, or were misappropriated." "Misappropriated?" Clifford woofed. "Taken or lost," Emily indicated. "Ronnie Geyer in the NWB Hall of Fame once had a prized gamer signed by Willie Mays, which was either lost or taken. No one knows for certain!" "Oh," Clifford understood and continued with another inquiry. "How do they make gloves?" "There are major manufacturers about which you have heard, such as, Rawlings, Wilson, Spalding, Louisville Slugger, and many others. They have glove factories." "A glove consists of five basic parts, --shell, web, lining, padding, and stitching. Most of it is derived from cowhide, except for the padding which is dense wool." "A typical cowhide without flaws should produce 3-4 gloves of regular size. There are 15 leather parts which are die cut on a punch press. Various hide sections are better for certain functions; back for the palm, center for fingers and web, and underside for lining and laces. The art of manufacturing a glove consists of assembling and shaping the parts by hand." "Today gloves range from 10"-12", with outfields having the more lengthily. Shortstops and second basemen tend to prefer 10" gloves for more flexibility and maneuverability." "What size would I need?" "There are regulations on glove size. The standard for an MLB glove for any fielder, except first base and catcher, is a maximum of 12" from base to top, 7-3/4" width, it must be consistent in color, and cannot be white or gray." "Custom gloves cost $300-$500 depending upon the style, but I'd estimate the fee for your size would be about four times that amount. One of the best glove craftsman is John Golomb of Belle Mead, NJ, and his grandfather founded Everlast the maker of boxing equipment." "However, Clifford, you can see one your size right now!" Emily showed him a photo of a gigantic gamer ready for play in the far outfield of San Francisco's AT&T Park. Clifford was impressed, and always enjoyed Emily's explanations. "Thanks Emily," Clifford acknowledged his appreciation, "and now I know I don't really need a glove, and can play for the Flames just as I am. By the way, Babe Ruth had his favorite gamer," he added, "it was a white Draper and Maynard, which he called 'Lucky Dog!' So am I, because you always take time to tell me new things." And, Clifford smiled, as only he can. Note: The glove statue at AT&T Park is 32' in height, 500' from homeplate, weighs 20,000 pounds, and is just outside the fence (see attachment). For the article on baseball shirt tails see: "Mistress Roberts," Fame Forum, Volume VI, Number 30, November 26, 2003. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/files/C-Nov03B.txt 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 C. HISTORIC TIMELINE March 20, 1973 Roberto Clemente induction MLB Hall of Fame. March 21, 1934 Babe Didrikson pitches inning in exhibition game for the Philadelphia Athletics. March 22, 1952 Bob Costas birthdate, broadcaster. March 22, 1979 Christen Powell birthdate, racecar driver. March 23, 1881 Gavvy Cravath birthdate, MLB player. March 24, 1893 George Sisler birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 24, 1945 Priscilla Presley birthdate, Elvis offspring. March 25, 1918 Howard Cosell birthdate, broadcaster. March 25, 1966 Tom Glavine birthdate, MLB pitcher. March 25, 1971 Sheryl Swoopes birthdate, baseball player. March 26, 1930 Sandra Day O'Connor birthdate, Supreme Court. March 27, 1879 Miller Huggins birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 27, 1899 Gloria Swanson birthdate, film actor. March 27, 1902 Chicago Cubs adopted their nickname. March 28, 1899 August Busch birthdate, MLB executive. March 28, 1973 Wilt Chamberlain retires from NBA with 1,045 games, 14 seasons, never fouled-out. March 28, 1989 Cathy McAllister and Stefni Whitten pitch back-to-back perfect games in softball for Southwestern Louisiana College. March 29, 1867 Cy Young birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 29, 1918 Pearl Bailey birthdate, singer and actor. March 29, 1944 Denny McLain birthdate, MLB pitcher. 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. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2007 Season Publications Number 10, Clifford's Gigantic Gamer (gloves), March 23. Number 09, Great Caesar's Ghost (Williams), March 15. Number 08, The Night They KO'ed Hemingway, March 9. 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 __________________________________________________________