Feb 2, 2023·edited Feb 2, 2023Liked by Jack Palmer
Great story, Jack! My dad had his own brush with baseball at war. He had played some very semi-pro ball – in the days before WW2, it seems there was a loose system of teams who would hit the road in the summer and travel from town to town to play local teams. Some members of my family had built a field in Jamestown, PA where their team took on all comers. In addition, my grandfather knew some folks in the Indians organization, and as a teen my dad was able to meet Bob Feller, and they became pen pals. (My dad showed me a letter once, but they've all disappeared.) In the late days of the war in Europe, my dad was part of a league that included a few pros and lots of strong amateurs like my dad. He shared some great stories, including re-connecting with Feller over there, which I have captured on video in a box somewhere.
I corresponded with an official Army historian a few years ago and asked him if the history of this league had been documented, and he had never heard of it, and a quick search didn't turn anything up. Could be my life's work. Anyway, thanks for sharing your stories here.
Thank you! Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to hear some of the stories -- I can only imagine how much fun it must've been sitting down and recording them. I'm surprised that the Army historian had never heard of it... I'm starting to feel the research itch, this sounds like an awesome research project. I wonder what kind of documentation and history of the league there is. I'd be shocked if there wasn't some exciting literature out there waiting to be found. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to hearing more.
Great story, Jack! My dad had his own brush with baseball at war. He had played some very semi-pro ball – in the days before WW2, it seems there was a loose system of teams who would hit the road in the summer and travel from town to town to play local teams. Some members of my family had built a field in Jamestown, PA where their team took on all comers. In addition, my grandfather knew some folks in the Indians organization, and as a teen my dad was able to meet Bob Feller, and they became pen pals. (My dad showed me a letter once, but they've all disappeared.) In the late days of the war in Europe, my dad was part of a league that included a few pros and lots of strong amateurs like my dad. He shared some great stories, including re-connecting with Feller over there, which I have captured on video in a box somewhere.
I corresponded with an official Army historian a few years ago and asked him if the history of this league had been documented, and he had never heard of it, and a quick search didn't turn anything up. Could be my life's work. Anyway, thanks for sharing your stories here.
Thank you! Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to hear some of the stories -- I can only imagine how much fun it must've been sitting down and recording them. I'm surprised that the Army historian had never heard of it... I'm starting to feel the research itch, this sounds like an awesome research project. I wonder what kind of documentation and history of the league there is. I'd be shocked if there wasn't some exciting literature out there waiting to be found. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to hearing more.
Great post!
Thanks, Hugh!