_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2009 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, TXU608273, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Issue Number 00450 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 21 Publisher and Author September 18, 2009 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2008 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS MELISSA GIBBONS AND ROSIE WEAVER SEE THE WEBSITE FOR ALL "HALL OF FAMERS" http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/albums DIDRIKSON, HOWARD, NELSON, SCHILLACE, DANCER, FERGUSON, WINTER, WRIGHT, LUKASIK, MILLIKEN, BALLENTINE, GEYER, WALLACE, CIULLA, GUIDACE, MACURIO, SHELDON, BEAUCHAMP, HUDSON, BRENNEMAN, FERENO, SWEENEY, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO, RANISZEWSKI, GIBBONS, WEAVER TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: ABBOTT AND CUILLO PONDER THE PLAYOFFS Returning from the batting cages along Wilson Boulevard, our revitalized duo ride in the direction of a favorite cafe in the well-established Cherrydale neighborhood of Arlington County, VA. Louise Ciullo, pleased with her exceptional performance at the cages and further buoyed by customary energetic optimism, once again entertains the totally unobtainable notion of her participating in forthcoming eastern conference playoffs. When successive life-time partner Buddie Abbott attempts again to offer sound advice regarding the bleak prospects of such a grandiose endeavor, those comments as before remain nothing more than hollow echoes. Lou: "Abbott, you saw how I smacked the ball! Whammm!!! Not a single foul-tip, and every shot could have been a homerun on any field. Hey, they gotta take me!" Bud: "You're a real 'Miss Long Ball,' even Earl Weaver would agree. But, be realistic, the official regular season is over; it's nearly time for league playoffs." Lou: "I'll ask JoAnn real nice. I've been practicing all week, too. She's just gotta say 'yes.' Listen!" "JoAnn can I join the Flames this weekend?" Bud: "Look, Lou, it'll never work; that isn't correct." Lou: "OK, OK, Abbott, I'll make it better, how's this... 'JoAnn can I please join the Flames this weekend?'" Bud: "It's 'may I.'" Lou: "Wait a minute, wait a minute this isn't 'Simon Says!'" "I'll ask again, 'JoAnn can I pretty please join the Flames?'" Bud: [slightly irritated] "It's 'may I.'" Lou: "Whoooa, Abbott! You aren't the one playing baseball! I'm the one who's gonna play!" Bud: "Lou, when you ask like that, then you're not playing. I'm referring to how you're asking to join the ballclub, and the proper usage is 'may I.'" "Even if you could join the Flames, hypothetically, of course, JoAnn's response would likely be... 'You can but you may not.'" Lou: [excited] "How 'can' I join the team, then at the same time I 'may' not? I'm either on the team or I'm off the team. Nobody is on and off a team. Abbott, it can't be both ways!" Bud: "You must have been out in the hall when Miss Whitehead explained this years ago in Paterson. This is an easy lesson; 'may' is used when someone is asking permission, and 'can' is for an affirmation." "Probably, JoAnn's polite diplomatic response to you would be you 'can' play baseball, but you 'may' not in the playoffs." Lou: [exasperated] "You're getting me even more confused, and still 'I Don't Know' where I'm playing." Duo: "Third base!!!" [they jointly point abstractly to third] Lou: "Look, look, first JoAnn says I 'can' play, right?" Bud: "Naturally, that's correct. Everybody knows you have Babe Ruth's swing and Esther Williams' style." Lou: "Then, in the same sentence, JoAnn says I 'may' not." Bud: "There's no problem with that, and no contradiction. Your permission was not granted. She's 100% correct." Lou: "Some partner! You're suppose to be on my side!" Bud: "No one could deny your skills in baseball. You do play the game well, and JoAnn acknowledges that fact, but it's too late to join the Flames in the playoffs, because you haven't played for the team during the regular season. They can't just bring you in for the playoffs, that would be unfair to call-up someone of your 'calibre.' You know, there are league rules." Lou: "Caliber?! Hey, I'm not a bullet!" Bud: "'Calibre' or ability, although you are a 'hot shot.'" Lou: "The 'Shot Tower' is in Baltimore!" Bud: "We never played there, maybe John Wilkes Booth did." Lou: "Abbott, there has to be a way. Miss Whitehead said, 'If there's a will, there's a way,' I've got plenty of will." Bud: "Yes, we know, but to be in the playoffs you must have been on the Flames official roster during the regular season." Lou: "Yeah, I know, I know, the team r-o-s-t-e-r!" "Hmmm, Abbott, I could change my name! In show business, that's done all the time. You know I was born as Cristillo, became Costello, and now I'm Ciullo. Baseball players also could change their names." Bud: "Well, anything is possible. What would you suggest?" Lou: "Ciullo could easily become Ciulla, and not only could I play but also I'd be in the NWB Hall of Fame." Bud: "There already is a Ciulla, there couldn't be a second, besides then you'd play for the Furies not the Flames." Lou: "OK, OK, I'll only change my first name." Bud: "An interesting suggestion, you may be on to something. For example, 'Lou' might become another 'Laura.'" Lou: "Yeah, no one smacks the ball any 'further' than Laura." Bud: "Lou, that's 'farther' than Laura." Lou: "There are no 'fathers' on the Flames, you know all fillies and only 'x's. They could be mudders and mothers; it all depends." Bud: "Where is Whitehead again when she is really needed?!" "'Farther' is used when describing distance. This should be easy even for you. You see Lou, no one hits the ball far, far, farther than Laura. She's someone ballplayers should emulate." Lou: "'Emulate?' Another new word, you keep on tossing them at me like one of Rosie's unhittable curveballs." [melodiously] "When she takes to a mound, we'd declare a war was on." "But, she's sweet as sugar, always a real good looker, that is this faire lassie, Rosie, oh, oh, what a gal!" Bud: "Be serious! You're not changing your name to Rosie. No ponytails! And, 'emulate' means to admire and model, even Whitehead would tell you that, like your perspective about Babe Ruth." Lou: "OK, I may and can 'emulate' Babe Ruth." Bud: "I'm proud of you Lou, finally you learned something I've said. But, you still won't play for the Flames in the upcoming playoffs. The league rules!" Note: The "May and Can Routine" was adapted from the movie "Avalon," scenes 52-62, 1990, written by Barry Levinson. The film setting was within a school with teacher Mrs. Parkes and principal Mr. Dunn. The selection of the name Parkes is unknown, perhaps she was a former teacher or it was derived from Forest 'Park' High School in suburban Baltimore where Levinson graduated. Jack Dunn was Babe Ruth's first manager in 1914, and owner of the Baltimore Orioles at that time in the International League. The year 1914 is a prominent date in "Avalon," referenced in the first sentence of dialogue and first sentence of the last fade-out paragraph. In the movie, it was the year when protagonist Sam arrived in America and found himself in the city of Baltimore on the Fourth of July. Frequently in fiction, familiar and favorite names, dates, and events are interwoven into storylines along with references to preceding similar accounts. Such cross-references with double meanings interject another level of entertainment into the viewing or reading experience. The story operates at one level, and reverse-engineering a film or book to determine phrase and scene origins becomes another adventure. This is a series of newly recreated parodies featuring a revitalized version of the famous comedy team. "Abbott and Ciullo Ponder the Playoffs," September 18, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Lights-Out," September 8, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Join the Foreign Service," August 21, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Crown Miss Cherrydale," August 15, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Going Gipper," July 31, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in One-Two-Three," July 19, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Patience Please," July 3, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Jolson Sings Again," June 16, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo at Elysian Fields," May 24, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay," May 15, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams," April 30, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages," April 9, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training," March 26, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday," February 22, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Washington," December 17, 2008; and "Abbott and Ciullo Meet Ted Williams," November 28, 2008. JoAnn Milliken is Commissioner of the Eastern Women's Baseball Conference (EWBC). She was inducted into the NWB Hall of Fame in October 2000, and in 2006 received the NWB Hall of Fame Triple Crown for her distinguished service as commissioner, manager, and player. In these Abbott and Costello parodies, the names were changed to Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo (derivation of Ciulla, NWB Hall of Fame in October 2003). B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and bats. Also, free commemorative ribbons are available. The website homepage has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. C. HISTORIC TIMELINE September 15, 1938 Gaylord Perry birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. September 15, 1962 Amanda Wakely birthdate, fashion designer. September 16, 1988 Tom Browning pitches perfect game. September 16, 1996 Paul Molitor 3,000th hit. September 17, 1879 Rube Foster birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. September 17, 1934 Maureen Connolly birthdate, tennis champion. September 17, 1984 Reggie Jackson 500th homerun. September 18, 1886 Powell Crosley birthdate, MLB owner. September 18, 1959 Ryne Sandberg birthdate, MLB player. September 18, 1996 Roger Clemens 20 strikeouts in one game. September 19, 1926 Duke Snider birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. September 19, 1965 Katrina McClain birthdate, basketball player. September 20, 1934 Grover Cleveland Alexander 300th win. September 21, 1892 Elmer Smith first World Series grand slam. September 22, 1830 Caroline Astor birthdate, Knickerbocker society. September 22, 1927 Tommy Lasorda birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. September 23, 1908 Merkle error lost NY Giants the pennant. September 24, 1940 Jimmie Foxx 500th homerun. September 25, 1932 Olive Beech birthdate, co-founder Beech Aircraft. September 25, 1965 Satchel Paige pitches 3 inning shutout. September 26, 1948 Olivia Newton John birthdate, singer. September 27, 1923 Lou Gehrig first (1923) and last (1938) homerun. September 27, 1939 Kathy Whitworth birthdate, champion golfer. September 28, 1920 White Sox team indicted (later acquitted). September 28, 1941 Ted Williams .406 finish. September 28, 1951 Allie Reynolds pitches no hitter for pennant. September 29, 1942 Madeline Kahn birthdate, Tony Award actor. September 29, 1954 Willie Mays makes "the catch." September 30, 1927 Babe Ruth 60th homerun record. September 30, 1947 First televised World Series. September 30, 1981 Dominique Moceanu birthdate, Olympic athlete. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XII, 2009 Season Publications Number 21, Abbott and Ciullo Ponder the Playoffs, September 18. Number 20, 2009 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, September 16. Number 19, Abbott and Ciullo in Lights-Out, September 8. Number 18, Sacred Isis Favors the Barncats, September 1. Number 17, Nike's Midsummer Night Team, August 28. Number 16, Abbott and Ciullo Join the Foreign Service, August 21. Number 15, Abbott and Ciullo Crown Miss Cherrydale, August 15. Number 14, Visions from Doctor Laura's Eyes, August 11. Number 13, Abbott and Ciullo in Going Gipper, July 31. Number 12, Abbott and Ciullo in One-Two-Three, July 19. Number 11, Abbott and Ciullo in Patience Please, July 3. Number 10, Abbott and Ciullo in Jolson Sings Again, June 16. Number 09, 2009 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, June 5. Number 08, Abbott and Ciullo at Elysian Fields, May 24. Number 07, Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay, May 15. Number 06, Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams, April 30. Number 05, Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages, April 9. Number 04, Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training, March 26. Number 03, Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday, February 22. Number 02, Commemorative NWB Hall of Fame Buttons, February 20. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 2. 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 with candidate statement. NATIONAL MVP/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. _________________________________________________________ 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, TXU608273, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2009 __________________________________________________________