_________________________________________________________ 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 00406 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 12 Publisher and Author May 10, 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: TALES OF NARDA (BOOK 11): THE GUESSING GAME This Narda saga continues in its fourth installment with the completion of the magic bat, at least in terms of it being adequately turned and shaped by her new neighbor on his father's wood lathe. Now it is almost time for Narda to apply the final touches, as they search about the basement for proper finishing materials. "Where is that super fine sandpaper?" the new neighbor inquired to himself. "Dad didn't unpack everything," he speculated further. "Maybe it's in those sealed boxes there," Narda pointed to several unopened cardboard containers. She walked over and inspected the boxes, and although they were all labeled and two were marked "Workshop," she instinctively first opened the one with the word "Baseball" written on its side. Narda, always being curious and impulsive, wondered what treasures or mysteries would be found inside as she sliced open the top with a sturdy fingernail and snapped the flap back. "Hello, what is this?!" she exclaimed. "Why did your dad save and ship this old mitt?" She gingerly held up the dubious prize. The neighbor knew exactly to what she was referring, a precious item which his dad would never dispose. "Better check the signature on that ratty old rawhide," he snickered appreciating full well what she would find. "Ohmygosh...," she blurted as one word in astonishment and sounding like Goldie Hawn. "This wasn't a famous glove," he explained further, "like the one he made 'The Catch' with, and that's worth a lot. Lee would know! But, it was a gamer." "Ronnie once had something like that," she murmured a personal aside and comparison to the only glove she was aware of even remotely similar, and autographed by Willie Mays! "Of course, he could hit, too," Narda clearly wanted to stick with bats, the topic at hand. "Kee-rect!" he wholeheartedly concurred. "A lifetime 660 homeruns, better than DiMaggio or Mantle." "Not better than Ruth," Narda chimed-in, "with his 714 homers. Everyone knows that number! Dagnet!" "What?" he neighbor mumbled to himself, "I must have missed that one, it was a little bit before my time." But, to redeem himself, he instantly came back with, "Did you know Mays once hit four homeruns in one game? He was fortunate enough to have four at-bats in nine innings, let alone four round-trippers over the fence. He had a little help." "What do you mean, help?" Narda was always curious. "A magic bat like mine?" "Nope, wasn't that lucky! But, he knew exactly what those pitches were going to be from the first base coach Wes Westrum," her neighbor explained. "He read the pitchers and telegraphed his observations to Mays in the batter's box." "Who?!" Narda adamantly demanded to know more. "Wes Westrum was a coach and later manager and former catcher who was able to decode the Milwaukee pitchers' movements that day in April 1961, and signal Mays in advance of each throw." This time Narda's neighbor was on a role, apparently a formidable match, "Many former catchers and pitchers have refined abilities to understand the other team's strategies which help win games." "There's always someone on every team who's a whiz at doing that, not deliberately engaging in inappropriate conduct to illegally steal signs, but rather carefully watching and correctly interpreting signals given by the opposing team. This all happens in a flash!" "Del Baker stayed with the Red Sox for several years because he could decode pitchers for Ted Williams so he could hit the ball." "Bob Turley a former pitcher did the same for Yankee sluggers Maris and Mantle." "Hey, with some pitchers it doesn't matter," not to be outdone in any conversation, Narda replied with some of her own insights. "Sandy Koufax had only two pitches, his famous fastball and a drop out-of-sight curveball. During delivery for speed he brought his arm straight down, and for a curve he extended it slightly upwards. Batters knew exactly what was coming, but to no avail." "True," he agreed and added. "A few pitchers don't even bother with signals, and have an instant rapport with their catchers. They just know what each other is thinking, and there is no way to break that code." "There are more than just the signals from the catcher to the pitcher during a game. There are all sorts of signs and winks going on instantly around the field. Sometimes there are a dozen or more per pitch, and a thousand per game. This keeps everyone guessing." "There are not only real instructions," he continued, "but also plenty of misinformation, all of which may make a big difference on certain plays and the final outcome of a game." "Yeah," Narda seized the opportunity to contribute. "Sure, everyone knows that on defense catchers signal pitchers, infielders to outfielders, and managers and coaches to fielders. On offense, managers and coaches signal hitters and base runners continuously on how to hit, when to steal, and whether to hit and run. And, umpires have their own signs, too, which are much more direct and obvious." "Reach in that box," her neighbor suggested, "for an article dad saved reprinted from Collier's Magazine. It's by Bill Wambsganss from Cleveland describing the 'greatest play' he ever saw." Narda, always curious and a voracious reader, grabbed the magazine which stated... "Cleveland was playing the White Sox at Chicago, and Indians runners were on first and third. Ray Schalk (White Sox catcher) signaled to the moundsman for a curveball. Tris Speaker (Indians) saw that signal flashed and ordered a delayed double steal. When Gleason (manager) caught that signal, the White Sox switched positions; Schalk signaled for a pitch-out." "Schalk's pitch-out signal was caught by George Uhle (Indians pitcher) who was coaching at the time, and Speaker signaled for a change. The result was that the Indians runners held their bases, and the pitcher wasted a ball." "Schalk signaled again, the infield changed positions, and Speaker again ordered a delayed steal. Schalk was warned about the steal, and then ordered another pitch-out, but no sooner had he flashed that signal than Speaker ordered another wait, and Schalk thinking to outguess Speaker ordered a fastball. As Schalk changed his signals, Speaker guessing that he would do exactly that signaled for a hit-and-run with the result that a hit whipped through the infield winning the game." --Collier's reprint, August 2, 1924. Narda looked up in quiet recognition after completing the story, a sure sign she understood, as her neighbor continued... "Most people don't see any of this because they aren't on the field and don't know what to watch. Wes Westrum, great spotter for Willie Mays, once said this about his silent signals, 'Baseball is like church, many attend, but only a few understand.'" Note: This series is entitled "Tales of Narda" remotely representing a baseball player Narda R. Quigley, PhD. The C.S. Lewis series, "Chronicles of Narnia" and "Narnia" are trademarks held by the C.S. Lewis estate. Lewis, 1898-1963, wrote seven books with that title, was a professor of literature, and commentator on religion. Attachment: One of four for #24 on April 30, 1961 in Milwaukee. 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 30, 1961 Willie Mays hits 4 homeruns in one game. May 6, 1915 Babe Ruth first MLB homerun. May 6, 1931 Willie Mays birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 6, 1998 Kerry Wood 20 strikeouts in 9 innings. May 7, 1925 Glenn Wright unassisted triple play. May 7, 1954 Amy Heckerling birthdate, entertainer. May 7, 1959 Roy Campanella night at Yankee Stadium. May 8, 1968 Catfish Hunter pitches perfect game. May 9, 1938 Glenda Jackson birthdate, entertainer. May 9, 1961 Jim Gentile hits consecutive grand slams. May 10, 1868 Edward Barrow birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 10, 1970 Hoyt Wilhelm pitches 1,000th game. May 11, 1907 Rip Sewell birthdate, MLB pitcher. May 11, 1967 Natasha Richardson birthdate, entertainer. May 12, 1917 Mary Kay Wagner Ash birthdate, cosmetics. May 12, 1925 Yogi Berra birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 13, 1967 Mickey Mantle hits 500th home run. May 14, 1899 Earle Combs birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 15, 1901 Dorothy Anderson birthdate, medical scientist. May 15, 1981 Len Barker pitches perfect game. May 15, 1953 George Brett birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 16, 1928 Billy Martin birthdate, MLB player and manager. May 17, 1903 Cool Papa Bell birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 17, 1925 Tris Speaker has 3,000th hit. May 17, 1970 Hank Aaron has 3,000th hit. May 17, 1998 David Wells pitches perfect game. May 18, 1937 Brooks Robinson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 18, 1946 Reggie Jackson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 18, 1957 Orioles and White Sox play tie game (rescheduled). May 19, 1928 Gil McDougald birthdate, MLB player. May 20, 1931 Ken Boyer birthdate, MLB player and manager. May 20, 1921 Hal Newhouser birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 20, 1946 Cher birthdate, entertainer. May 21, 1943 White Sox and Senators 1 hour 29 minute game. May 22, 1902 Al Simmons birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 23, 1956 Bucky Showalter birthdate, MLB manager. May 24, 1935 First MLB night game, Phillies at Reds. May 25, 1905 Martin Dihigo birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 25, 1928 Mary Wells Laurence birthdate, Avis ads. May 25, 1935 Babe Ruth hits 714th homerun. May 25, 1982 Ferguson Jenkins 3,000th strikeout. May 26, 1932 Joe Altobelli birthdate, MLB manager. May 27, 1819 Julia Ward Howe birthdate, song writer, authored "Battle Hymn of the Republic." May 27, 1960 First oversized catcher mitt for Hoyt Wilhelm. May 28, 1896 Warren Giles birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 28, 1968 American League creates two divisions. May 29, 1922 Supreme Court declares baseball a sport and not a business subject to antitrust laws. May 29, 1990 Rickey Henderson 893 career stolen bases. May 30, 1927 Jimmy Cooney unassisted triple play. May 31, 1927 Johnny Neun unassisted triple play. May 31, 1935 Babe Ruth final at bat with Boston Braves. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications 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 __________________________________________________________