_________________________________________________________ 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 00348 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 27 Publisher and Author October 30, 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: CLIFFORD'S OCTOBER SURPRISE "Eeeckkk!" Emily delightfully screeched as she pranced into the backyard on a cool crisp Sunday afternoon in late October and spotted her faithful companion sitting by the entrance to his palatial house grinning from ear to ear. "What have you done? Just look at yourself!" she continued with eyes wide open in disbelief and amazement. Her object of attention, and often considerable affection, only smiled in return, although deep inside he was hardily laughing at Emily's reaction. This was too good to be true, and he was enjoying every minute. She quickened her pace as she approached his prestigious doggie domain. "You can't go out on the street that way," she scolded. But, her retort was met by an even broader canine grin. "You can't play for the Flames like that," she expounded. "You won't be recognized by anyone in town!" she pleaded. This was better than expected, and certainly well worth the effort he giggled. Clifford slowly raised one ear in response to Emily's last point, as only he can, and then broke his silence. "Which is exactly the point!" Clifford joyfully barked. She finally reached his doorway, and carefully stretched out her hand to determine if it was real. And, it was! "Oh, dear, how could you do this?" she gasped for breath. "Look, look, look... you're O-R-A-N-G-E!!!" Emily nearly fell over, but leaned against Clifford for balance and support. She attempted to compose herself. "Clifford, this will never do. You didn't even tell me. You're suppose to be a Big R-E-D Dog!" "Don't worry Emily," he assured her, "it'll grow back. It's only natural food coloring. A good rain storm will probably wash it all off. You can tell JoAnn I'll be properly attired in my true furry form by spring ready to play again for the Flames." Emily too was laughing by now, and understood all along Clifford was just getting ready for Halloween, which he enjoyed since he was a little red puppy. And, orange is certainly appropriate for Halloween. For Clifford, this was a delightful holiday because he could dress-up and go out for treats (not that he didn't get enough throughout the entire year, especially when visiting his favorite store). "I didn't forget that it's Halloween," Emily sparkled. "I always know it's near when we switch the clocks from Daylight Savings to Standard Time, and the temperature becomes much colder." "Yes, and my fur gets longer," Clifford added, "there's frost on the pumpkins, the geese at Marshall fly south, and it's time to crown the new World Series champions!" They both laughed. But, then Clifford turned his head to one side, as only he can, and asked one of his usual precocious questions. "Why do they play baseball when it is getting so cold? The important championship games are in late October. There could be snow this time of year in some cities." "True, big buddy, but let me explain," Emily indicated. Clifford knew when Emily was about to begin a lengthily discourse, so he adjusted his position and leaned back on his haunches in anticipation of what was to follow. "Yes, it's true," Emily began, "the best time to play baseball is on a warm summer day without a cloud in the sky with a slight breeze to keep things comfortable and the flag proudly flying in centerfield." "The first World Series was completed October 13, 1903," Emily continued, "and there were eight games that year." "And, the R-E-D Sox won!" Clifford woofed. "I figured you would know that big buddy," Emily laughed. "For a long, long time the World Series was completed by the second week of October, sometimes sooner depending upon the number of games needed to win." "Until 1961, there were only eight teams in each league. Then the number expanded to ten in 1961 and 1962 for the American and National Leagues, respectively; and by 1969 to twelve with two divisions in each league." "Because of this," she continued, "the division playoffs were introduced after the regular reason, which was also expanded from 154 to 162 games in 1961 and 1962 in order to accommodate more teams. This brought the World Series closer to the end of October and nearer to cold weather." Clifford nodded in agreement, "So, baseball players can't play well when it gets cold." "Well, it's not exactly that," Emily gently corrected him. "A baseball reacts differently when temperatures fall." "The flight of a baseball depends upon certain physical characteristics, such as, weight, velocity, and something called fluid dynamics." Clifford raised one ear, and Emily understood what that meant, so she elaborated further. "Velocity is speed," she noted, "and fluid dynamics in this case reflects the air in which the ball is thrown. We live in a sea of air, which is affected by weather." "Regarding an actual baseball, the larger the ball and more weight it has the less speed it attains. A small hardball has less air resistance, which means less air to push out of the way." "Factors such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, altitude, and wind all influence a baseball's flight; how it is thrown or batted through the air." "When it's hot outside with high temperatures as it is in summer, air is less dense, and a baseball will more easily pass through a column of air. And, for every 10 degree temperature change there is a corresponding 3 feet increase or decease in distance for a hit ball. The same line drive in 90 degrees should travel about 12 feet further than if hit when it's 50 degrees." Clifford also knew from experience that cold weather could cause wooden bats to crack, which happened once in November 2004 at Rocky Gorge in the batting cages. Fortunately, Emily was very understanding, and bought him a new bat from the factory in Pennsylvania. "And, barometric pressure," she undauntedly proceeded, "also influences a baseball, but not as dramatically as temperature. The ratio here is 3 feet for every 1 inch change in the barometer. However, the pressure range or deviation is between 28 to 31 inches, only 3 inches, and barometric readings are usually steady unless there is a change in the weather." "Humidity of the air has little influence on a ball in flight, but it does affect baseballs when stored. If it is very humid a ball could retain more weight, which reduces velocity, and it may affect ball size. This could be a problem when there are rain storms, but games are called before that happens." Clifford thought maybe Blackburne's secret mud could help control humidity, but he didn't interrupt while she was on a roll as Emily cheerfully continued. "The same batters in mile-high Denver should perform better than in Miami at sea level. Altitude makes a difference since there is less air resistance at higher elevations. A baseball will travel 7 feet further for every additional 1,000 feet of altitude. This is an extra 35 feet for the Colorado Rockies." I wonder how far a baseball would travel at the top of Mount Everest, Clifford quietly thought. "Wind will also affect baseballs any time of year," Emily blissfully proceeded. "Baseball fields are oriented to the east-northeast. This was required so the afternoon sun would not be in a batter's eyes. This design also makes a difference regarding wind. Throughout North America there are the prevailing westerlies, which helps push a batted ball towards right center. Across the country the average daily wind speed is 10 mph. Every one mph may result in 3 feet in adjustment depending upon wind direction." Clifford thought about those big Nor-Easters which blow in the opposite direction from the westerlies. He knew that winds are named from the direction in which they originate. "You see big buddy," Emily summarized, "primarily because of temperature this isn't an ideal time of year to play the game. It's also true that cold affects equipment and probably to some extent the players themselves." "I know," Clifford smiled, "and I'm not playing any baseball until the Flames start practicing next year. As for now, you know what I'm doing this week." "Yes, my biggest and orangest buddy," Emily laughed. "Trick or treating at the Pet Barn!" Chart: Selected Variables in Baseball BarPressure +1 inch -3 feet Elevation +1000 feet +7 feet WindSpeed +1 mph +3 feet Humidity 100 percent -30 feet "Physics of Baseball," 2002, page 97; by Robert Adair, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Yale University. 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 28, 1886 Statue of Liberty dedicated. October 28, 1926 Bowie Kuhn birthdate, MLB Commissioner. October 29, 1859 Charles Ebbets birthdate, Dodgers owner. October 29, 1891 Fanny Brice birthdate, singer and dancer. October 29, 1953 Saint Louis Browns became Baltimore Orioles. October 30, 1916 Leon Day birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. 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 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 __________________________________________________________