_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2006 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Issue Number 00349 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 28 Publisher and Author November 2, 2006 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: BETTER BABIES AND BASEBALL AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME As reported this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association and online by the Associated Press and other news agencies, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) could be caused by lack of development in the autonomic part of a baby's brain which should normally arouse them if breathing stops. As noted in the AP article, > "An abnormality in part of the brain that controls breathing, arousal, and other reflexes may be what causes SIDS..." "The discovery could explain why babies lying face down are more likely to die, because in that position an infant's reflexes, including head turning and arousal, are harder to trigger when breathing is challenged, the report from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School said." > This small study of infants found a lack of serotonin, which could trigger a protective reaction if breathing ceased while sleeping. If this occurred, normally someone might cough and automatically roll-over. If this does not occur, it may be an abnormality as the study suggests, or that section at the base of the brain has not yet fully developed in certain susceptible infants. Apparently, at that very early age, they are not yet wired to roll-over, and eventually this phase should pass. What does this have to do with baseball? An article this week in this newsletter discussed the laws of physics in fluid dynamics as applied to air flow affecting baseballs. As part of research for that article, the shape of the ball was also considered, for example, a rough surface and stitching causes air turbulence in the boundary layer surrounding a baseball, and thus enabling it to move more rapidly through a column of air. What does air turbulence have to do with SIDS? Everything! If this weeks's JAMA study is correct, then a "rough" boundary layer should cause turbulence sufficient to increase air flow. Mattress, sheets, pillow cases, or surfaces which a susceptible baby may come in sleeping contact with should have, what I call, a "dimple effect." But, these should be small dimples similar to a golf ball (which was designed to create air turbulence allowing the ball to travel farther). Any surface which a baby comes in sleeping contact with should not be smooth, and the surface tension should be harder than most mattresses and pillows to maximize this effect. And, other flexible items such as covers should be porous to allow and support air flow (or not be used). Such manufactured items may not be immediately available in retail stores. However, this dimple or ripple effect can be simulated through use of bubble wrap coverings placed over mattress sheets and pillow cases (securely tapped to those surfaces). The small surface bubbles facilitate air flow, and this item is readily available in office supply stores, and it is inexpensive and easily cleaned. Apparently, the critical time when SIDS is a concern passes quickly as a baby rapidly develops. This "dimple effect" and interim use of a bubbled surface could assist through that critical period. Why place this story in a women's baseball newsletter? In addition to playing baseball, readers of this newsletter are employed around town at NIH, CDC, HEW, and other agencies. Babies should grow healthy and happy through infancy and beyond, and in their teenage years (and older) be able to engage in any sports which they enjoy, including baseball! AP Online Story (October 31, 2006) Brain Flaw Could Be Cause of SIDS "An abnormality in part of the brain that controls breathing, arousal and other reflexes may be what causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a study said." "The discovery could explain why babies lying face down are more likely to die, because in that position an infant's reflexes, including head turning and arousal, are harder to trigger when breathing is challenged, the report from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School said." "'These findings provide evidence that SIDS is not a mystery but a disorder that we can investigate with scientific methods and someday may be able to identify and treat,' said Hannah C. Kinney of the Boston hospital, an author of the paper." "The study, published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association, was based on autopsy data from 31 infants who had died from SIDS and 10 who had died from other causes between 1997 and 2005 in California." "In the SIDS victims, a look at the lowest part of the brainstem, the medulla oblongata, found abnormalities in nerve cells that make and use serotonin, one of the chemicals in the brain that help coordinate breathing, blood pressure, sensitivity to carbon dioxide and temperature, the report said." Article Addendum November 4, 2006 Alternative surfaces constituted of small ridges and ripples could be substituted. Materials used as floor coverings often display similar patterns, and their rigidity over a mattress may offer additional integrity. Such items can be purchased inexpensively at home improvement stores by the roll and cut to size. Three foot wide bubble wrap is also available in various lengths. To avoid seams, it is advantageous to use one continuous layer over a mattress or pillow. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and ten model 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 October 31, 1912 Dale Evans birthdate, television star. November 1, 1921 Ilse Aichinger birthdate, writer. November 1, 1960 Fernando Valenzuela birthdate, MLB pitcher. November 2, 1903 Travis Jackson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 2, 1914 Johnny Vandeer Meer birthdate, MLB pitcher. November 2, 1916 Al Campanis birthdate, MLB executive. November 2, 1958 Willie McGee birthdate, MLB player. November 3, 1918 Bob Feller birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 4, 1877 Tommy Leach birthdate, MLB player. November 4, 1937 Loretta Swit birthdate, television star. November 5, 1857 Ida Tarbell birthdate, journalist. November 5, 1891 Earle Neale birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1887 Walter Johnson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1888 Taylor Spink birthdate, Sporting News. November 6, 1908 Carole Lombard birthdate, actor. November 7, 1944 Joe Niekro birthdate, MLB player. November 8, 1896 Bucky Harris birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 8, 1912 Katherine Hepburn birthdate, actor. November 9, 1876 Moonlight Graham birthdate, one MLB game. November 9, 1931 Whitey Herzog birthdate, MLB executive. November 9, 1935 Bob Gibson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2006 Season Publications Number 28, Better Babies and Baseball (SIDS), November 2, 2006. Number 27, Clifford's October Surprise, October 30, 2006. Number 26, Where in the World is Carmen Dominguez?, October 13, 2006. Number 25, More Information on NWB Hall of Famers, October 11, 2006. Number 24, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions, October 9, 2006. Number 23, 2006 Nominations for Induction, October 2, 2006. Number 22, Program Announcements, September 11. Number 21, LBI's Batting Third (Brenneman), August 22. Number 20, Saving Ted Williams, August 8. Number 19, Ted Williams Action Agenda, August 4. Number 18, Say it Ain't So Joe (treatment), July 6. Number 17, Spirit of 1776 (painting), July 2. Number 16, New NWB Products Available, June 26. Number 15, Meet Jane Doe (codes), June 22. Number 14, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, May 31. Number 13, Playing on Abraham's Side (Williams), May 25. Number 12, Clifford Finds the Easter Bunny, April 14. Number 11, Way to Go Joltin' Jo (Joes and Jo), April 7. Number 10, Alibi Isis Misses Spring Training, March 31. Number 09, Clifford Wears Some Green, March 15. Number 08, Let the Games Begin (1936 Olympics), March 14. Number 07, To Be or Not to Be (Williams), February 24. Number 06, Clifford's Favorite Valentine, February 10. Number 05, Models D29 and 36D (Marilyn), February 5. Number 04, Additional Recognition (letter), February 1. Number 03, Breaking Away (DiMaggio), January 20. Number 02, Annie's Big Apple (Runyon), January 10. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was (2005), January 1. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/news 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, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 __________________________________________________________