tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175077012024-03-13T11:48:13.919-05:00Kitty League MemoriesA companion to the Kitty League websiteKevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-63521401618313337962008-11-13T10:01:00.003-06:002008-11-13T10:12:55.876-06:00John Bohna 1928-2008John Bohna, 80, passed away on Sunday, November 9 at his apartment in Oakland, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He was a pitcher and outfielder for the Fulton Railroaders/Lookouts and Union City Greyhounds/Dodgers from 1949 to 1954.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08290/920286-122.stm">Obituary</a><br /><br /><a href="http://minors.sabrwebs.com/cgi-bin/person.php?milbID=bohna-001joh">Playing record</a> (SABR Minor League Encyclopedia)Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-56790878441723042582008-11-11T21:40:00.003-06:002008-11-11T21:46:14.575-06:00A New Ballpark for Owensboro?There has been talk of building a new minor league ballpark in Owensboro, Kentucky for several years now. For three seasons, the city has been home to the Owensboro Oilers, a summer collegiate team in the KIT League that took the old nickname of the popular Kitty League team that played there from 1936 to 1942 and 1946 to 1955. But it's no secret that residents would prefer a professional team, either independent or affiliated with a major league club.<br /><br />Renewed development in the downtown area has <a href="http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=9326052&nav=menu54_2">revived talk of a new ballpark</a>. (There's a video segment to watch as well).Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-33670538258384484572007-10-17T12:06:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:10:29.728-05:00Anecdotes and Site UpdatesI will begin posting various stories and anecdotes I've come across while researching the Kitty League. I'll try to post a new one at least every other day.<br /><br />I'm way overdue for updating the <a href="http://www.kittyleague.com">Kitty League site</a>. I've been busy revising, publishing, and promoting a <a href="http://www.kevindmccann.com/books/hurstswurst.htm">non-baseball book</a>. I'm working on new team pages, which I hope to start adding this weekend.Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-8028535061653122442007-10-17T12:02:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:05:40.366-05:00Emergency<p class="MsoNormal">While pitching for the Clarksville Colts on Opening Night in 1947, rookie hurler Dave Stender stepped off the rubber and staggered around behind the mound. Manager Harley Boss went out to check on him, but not before Stender rushed past him into the dugout. He ran to the corner where a bucket of water was kept and took a big drink from the metal dipper. The pitcher had accidentally swallowed a large chaw of chewing tobacco!</p>Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-26233705389838305482007-10-10T19:34:00.000-05:002007-10-10T19:41:12.301-05:00Work on 1923 Season Has BegunAs part of my SABR-Yoseloff Research Grant requirements, I have begun work on gathering individual and team batting, pitching, and fielding statistics for the 1923 Kitty League season. I have started collecting box scores from newspapers that covered the league (both local and regional). Hopefully I will have as complete a set of statistics as possible by Spring 2008.<br /><br />Once 1923 is finished, I plan to move forward to the 1924 season. Both seasons lack stats for several categories such as extra base hits, runs batted in, and bases on balls for hitters and strikeouts, bases on balls, and shutouts for pitchers. I also plan to continue using estimated earned-run averages for pitchers, a formula created by Carlos Bauer.<br /><br />I'll check in from time to time with research updates!Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-88444201443705282862007-03-22T16:55:00.000-05:002007-03-22T17:27:17.146-05:00Jack Hugh Bankhead 1921-2007Jack Hugh Bankhead passed away on March 13, 2007 at the age of 85.<br /><br />He was a shortstop with the 1941 Union City Greyhounds, batting .219 in 99 games with 33 stolen bases. Born in Kansas City, MO December 18, 1921, he as initially signed by scout Bill Essick of the New York Yankees during his senior year at Northeast High School. In 1940, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and played for their Class D Kitty League club the following season.<br /><br />Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 83rd Infantry Division of the 330th Regiment during World War II. He ended the conflict as a decorated veteran, having fought at The Battle of the Bulge and receiving three Bronze Stars for heroism and a Purple Heart.<br /><br />A baseball-related injury as well as his service in the war peaked his interest in medicine. He became a physician and practiced anesthesiology until his retirement in 1986.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legacy.com/DallasMorningNews/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=86802847">Click here to view his obituary and/or leave a comment on his guestbook.</a>Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-90777374163723671042007-01-22T10:19:00.000-06:002007-01-22T10:31:03.632-06:00Umpire Bob Meinert's MemoriesRecently I received an e-mail from Bob Meinert, who served as an umpire in the Kitty League in 1949 and 1950. Umpires are often overlooked in the study of minor league history, yet their roles in the National Pastime should be recognized just as much as the players and managers. They have memories to share, too; thank you, Bob, for sharing yours.<br /><p class="MsoBodyText"><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText">"I attended Bill McGowan’s umpiring school in Florida and was assigned to the Kitty League. I was living in Chicago at the time and drove down to Hopkinsville to meet Shelby Peace. He was a fine Southern gentleman. Ricky Onorato and I were paired to work together and our first game was in Fulton. KY. That’s when I met Ivan Kuester, the fire-breathing manager of the Fulton Railroaders. Being raised in Chicago and attending many of the Cub games, I was shocked to see an all-dirt infield and the lighting left a lot to be desired. We made it through the opening night.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">"We stayed in Fulton with Mrs. Phillips who provided room and board for all the umpires working the games in Fulton for $2.50 a night. She was a wonderful person and treated us like part of her family. We had similar arrangements in the other towns but none like Mrs. Phillips.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">"We worked Union City and Jackson staying in Fulton and driving back and forth to take advantage of our great room and board. It was then on to Mayfield, Cairo, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Owensboro and Clarksville.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">"Owensboro had the best ball park with Madisonville a close second. The other town’s parks were not as good as the Little League parks of today but we just carried on as though we were in the Major Leagues!!</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">"Rained out games were very rare. It could rain all day and if it stopped prior to game time a gasoline truck would pull on to the diamond and spray the infield with gas. It was then ignited and burned off. After that the sand truck would come in and sand the diamond. Quite a site to see for someone who watched Major League baseball growing up.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Games were played seven days a week with the rare exception of very heavy rains. We played all night games except Sunday was an afternoon game. Those were hot days.<span style=""> </span>Rudy York always enjoyed being thrown out on Sundays. He didn’t like the heat. He had two problems. Because he was the catcher and getting older he chose not to get in the normal catching position. When I would ask him to get down, he would say, this is as far as I’m going. Do the best you can. His other problem was throwing runners out stealing second base. He would say to me, he’s stealing on the pitcher. The fans would get on his case and you can imagine what he said about them."</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-28614326334969308522007-01-16T12:17:00.000-06:002007-01-16T12:20:25.941-06:00Kitty League Player ArticleThis is an <a href="http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2006/09/16/columnists/bob_fallstrom/1017692.txt">article</a> about the baseball career of Vance Kidwell, who played for the Lexington (TN) Giants in the Kitty League in 1937. Thanks to it, I've had the opportunity to contact Mr. Kidwell who shared his memories of playing in the league.Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-7613240652300442652007-01-11T10:45:00.000-06:002007-01-16T12:21:37.218-06:00SABR Nashville Chapter Meeting Jan. 27The first meeting of the Nashville chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) will be held on Saturday, January 27 from 1-4 p.m. in Sluggers Sports Bar and Grill atop Greer Stadium in Nashville, TN.<br /><br />Research presentations will be given by fellow members Peggy Gripshover, Skip Nipper, and Gerald Wood. Our speaker will be SABR member Clinton "Butch" McCord, a Nashville native who played for the Nashville Cubs and Baltimore Elite Giants in the Negro Leagues.<br /><br />An organizational meeting will follow, including the election of officers and the selection of an official chapter name.<br /><br />Members may also be interested in attending the 69th annual Old Timers Baseball Banquet on Friday, Jan. 26. Skip Nipper has reserved a table for SABR members who'd like to attend. Tickets are $25 in advance. To reserve tickets, please contact Skip on the chapter Yahoo discussion group.<br /><br />If you live in Nashville or anywhere else in Tennessee, south central Kentucky, or north Alabama and would like to join the chapter, please go to www.sabr.org to join SABR!<br /><br />For more information on the Old Timers Banquet, go to:<br /><a href="http://www.otbaseball.com/default.asp">http://www.otbaseball.com/default.asp</a><br /><br />For directions to Greer Stadium, please check the following link:<br /><a href="http://www.nashvillesounds.com/stadium/default.asp?pageId=76">http://www.nashvillesounds.com/stadium/default.asp?pageId=76</a><br /><br />If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact us.<br /><br />Kevin McCann<br />Skip Nipper<br />SABR Nashville Steering CommitteeKevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-16294232360168262042006-12-27T14:00:00.000-06:002006-12-27T14:08:08.694-06:00The Importance of Talking with Players (Part 2)Two more names to add to the list of Kitty League players who died in 2006:<br /><br />Dave Bartosch - died Apr. 30 in Nashville, Tenn. (age 89)<br />Dominick Italiano - died Mar. 5 in St. Louis, Mo. (age 80)<br /><br />I had the opportunity to meet both players at reunions I organized, Mr. Bartosch at the Kitty League Centennial in 2003 and Mr. Italiano at the Jackson Generals reunion in 1999.<br /><br />Dominick was one of my favorites, having played four seasons for my hometown team in Jackson, Tenn. (1950-53). I was especially saddened to learn of his passing.Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-44513068880440677222006-12-27T11:58:00.000-06:002006-12-27T12:28:30.906-06:00The Importance of Talking with PlayersThe year of 2006 has almost ended and it's only fitting that I recognize the passing of several former Kitty League baseball players and fans this year. I had the honor of meeting a few of them such as Lon Carter Barton, Billy Joe Forrest, Ivan Kuester, and Jacque Riedel and talking with George Buickel on the telephone. Each gentleman was kind and supportive of my research and willing to share their memories of playing in the Kitty League.<br /><br />First, I'd like to stepped up on my soapbox and address my fellow baseball researchers.<br /><br />I've enjoyed digging into microfilmed newspapers and searching for undiscovered tidbits and stories about the Kitty League. It's been a labor of love that I've done for 10 years now. I've been fortunate enough to also track down a few players now in their 70s and older or have them contact me. Library research is important in any historical project, but to actually <span style="font-style: italic;">speak</span> with persons who were there and who can share what it was like to play at Miller Field in Owensboro, Ky. or what road trips were like is even more important.<br /><br />Anyone doing baseball research should try his or her best to track down players, write or call them, and politely ask to do an interview. Is there someone in your hometown or nearby who played pro ball? Maybe no one has even talked with them about it! They appreciate their careers being remembered and many are happy to share their memories with you.<br /><br />But the sad part is they won't be around forever. I've kicked myself many times when I've had a player's address or phone number sitting on my desk, but I've been too busy to pick up the phone or simply procrastinated and learned later that they passed away. Whether your father or grandfather was a professional baseball player or a cook in an Army camp in World War II, be sure you sit down with him in 2007 and ask him questions about his life experiences and get them on tape or video. Years later, you'll be glad you did.<br /><br />The Kitty League lost at least six former players and one fan in 2006. They may be more; if I've missed someone, please write to me.<br /><br />Lon Carter Barton - died Mar. 28 (age 80) <span style="font-style: italic;">(Kitty League fan)</span><br />George Buickel - died Oct. 3 (age 85)<br />Robert W. Cropenbaker - died May 2 (age 92)<br />Billy Joe Forrest - died Apr. 5 (age 78)<br />Ivan Kuester - died Oct. 3 (age 86)<br />William J. "Butch" Leary - died Nov. 28 (age 84)<br />Jacque Riedel - died Jul. 26 (age 82)Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-91300359768855274012006-12-06T08:39:00.000-06:002006-12-06T08:54:04.003-06:00William J. "Butch" Leary 1922-2006William J. "Butch" Leary, who pitched for the Madisonville Miners in 1946, passed away on November 28, 2006 at Glen Falls Hospital in Glen Falls, New York. He was 84 years old.<br /><br />He pitched in 12 games for Madisonville, finishing the season with a 5-5 record and 5.18 earned run average. He struck out 38 batters and walked 22 in 66 innings pitched and worked three complete games. At the plate, he batted .292 in 16 games, hitting one home run and driving in five runs in 24 at-bats.<br /><br />Before playing in the Kitty League, Mr. Leary served his country in the Army during World War II and fought under Gen. George Patton at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.<br /><br />Funerals services were held at Founds Funeral Home in West Chester, PA and burial at Philadelphia Memorial Park in nearby Frazer.<br /><br />(Information provided from his obituary published in the West Chester Daily Local News, december 1, 2006 and Ray Nemec.)Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-86863131830316929812006-11-27T16:15:00.000-06:002006-11-27T16:30:29.504-06:00George Buickel 1921- 2006George Buickel, 18-game winner for the1946 Kitty League champion Owensboro Oilers, passed away on October 22. He was 85 years old.<br /><br />He was born in Boonville, Indiana on Aug. 27, 1921 and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he signed with the Boston Braves organization and was sent to their Class D farm club in Owensboro, Kentucky for the 1946 season. He finished with an 18-4 record, 158 strikeouts, and a 2.58 earned-run average (second best in the league). Mr. Buickel went further in the Braves farm system with Hartford and Fort Lauderdale and ended his pro career in 1951.<br /><br />Mr. Buickel's most memorable moment in baseball was striking out Ted Williams while pitching for the Army Air Corps team.<br /><br />A player profile for Mr. Buickel will be posted on my Kitty League site very soon.<br /><br />Thank you to his son Richard for providing his obituary.Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17507701.post-1128542963693258082005-10-05T14:59:00.000-05:002005-10-05T15:09:23.696-05:00Welcome to the Blog!Welcome to the new Blog site fo Kitty League Memories!<br /><br />Check back for postings and random musings about the Class D Kitty League in the coming days.<br /><strong></strong>Kevin McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07329474327123249703noreply@blogger.com0