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A VFW Hall, Canarsie Caskets, And The Ebbets Field Flagpole

By David Stinson on January 11, 2013

In August 2001 some friends and I took a day trip from Maryland to New York City to chase down historical baseball landmarks. Our stops included the former sites of Hilltop Park, the Polo Grounds, Washington Park, and Ebbets Field. While in Brooklyn, we also went in search of the Ebbets Field Flag Pole, which legend had it was located in front of a Brooklyn VFW Hall. That trip ultimately formed the basis for a chapter in my book Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel in which protagonist Byron Bennett makes a solo trip to New York City in search of the same sites.

In the news recently I read that the Brooklyn Nets had acquired an Ebbets Field flagpole, which it relocated to a plaza in front of their home field at the Barclays Center. According to an article on ESPN, the flagpole was acquired by Nets owner Bruce Ratner in 2007.

On my trip in 2001, we did not know which VFW Hall in Brooklyn had the famed Ebbets Field Flagpole and, as such, spent a good portion of time driving around Brooklyn visiting as many VFW halls as we could find. Ultimately, it was just plain luck (or intervention of the baseball gods?) that led us to the flagpole. While driving south on Utica Street toward the Belt Parkway, we caught a glimpse of a flagpole in front of a one-story, red-brick building with a plastic banner hanging from the roof identifying the building as the Canarsie Casket Company.

Ebbets Field Flagpole In Front Of the Canarsie Casket Company

The banner partially obscured another sign, carved in granite and set into the building’s brick wall which stated “Veterans of Foreign Wars.” We knew then that we had found the famed Ebbets Field Flag Pole. Next to the sidewalk was a “Building For Sale” sign, suggesting a then-uncertain future for the Ebbets Field flagpole.

Kratter Corporation Dedication Plaque for the Ebbets Field Flagpole

At the base of the flagpole was a piece of granite with the following inscription:

Center Field Flag Pole
of
Ebbets Field
Donated By
Kratter Corp.

Kratter Corporation purchased Ebbets Field from the Dodgers two years before their move to Los Angeles in anticipation of developing the site once the team departed for the West Coast. Marvin Kratter, the corporation’s president, donated the flagpole to the VFW in 1960, where it stood until it was purchased by the Nets in 2007.

The Ebbets Field Flagpole

The flagpole now resides just a short drive up Flatbush Avenue, two miles north of its former location at 55 Sullivan Place. So kudos to the Brooklyn Nets for helping insure that at least a small part of Ebbets Field remains in the borough. Also, its good to know that the flagpole no longer has the indignity of sitting in front of a building that manufactured caskets.

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged Barclays Center, Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Nets, Bruce Ratner, Byron Bennett, Canarsie Casket Company, David B. Stinson, Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, Ebbets Field Flag Pole, Kratter Corporation, Marvin Kratter, VFW Hall. | 3 Comments

Moses Fleetwood Walker and Oberlin’s Tappan Square

By David Stinson on January 2, 2013

In Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, protagonist Byron Bennett makes a stop in Oberlin, Ohio, in search of the the ball field where Moses Fleetwood Walker and his brother Welday, two African-American students at liberal Oberlin played baseball for the school in 1881 and 1882.

Moses Fleetwood Walker

Both Walker brothers later played professional ball in 1884, joining the then-major league American Association Toledo Blue Stockings during the team’s one season in existence. Soon after that season, African-Americans were banned from playing in the major leagues until 1947, when Jackie Robinson broke the color line.

Oberlin Ohio State Historical Marker

Oberlin College was established in 1833. Many of the buildings located on the south side of College Street date to the time when Walker played baseball for Oberlin.

Buildings Located South on College Street Across from Tappan Square

The ball field where Walker played was located in Tappan Square near the corner of College Street and North Main Street, on the southeast side of Oberlin’s campus.

Tappan Square, Oberlin, Intersection of College Street and North Main Street

Tappan Square is divided into four quadrants.

Tappan Square Looking West from the Center of the Square

At one time Tappan Square had several buildings located throughout the square. Those buildings are gone, with only two architectural structures remaining in the square. In the northeast quadrant of the square is an open bandstand. Southwest of the bandstand in is a stone memorial arch.

Stone Memorial Arch, Tappan Square

The stone arch commemorates Oberlin student missionaries killed during the Boxer uprising in China in 1900.

Plaque Honoring Oberlin Student Missionaries

College Chapel, a building that once sat in the south west quadrant of Tappan Square just south of the memorial arch burned down in the early 1900s. The ball field where Walker once played was located in front of that church, just to the north. A picture of the church and the ball field is available on Oberlin College’s website at: Tappan Square (link to Oberlin College Digital Collection).

The picture below shows the approximate site of the former ball field in what is the southeast quadrant of Tappan Square.

Approximate Location of Oberlin's Former Ball Field Where Moses Fleetwood Walker Once Played

Oberlin’s current athletic fields (Oberlin plays in the North Coast Athletic Conference) are located northwest of Tappan Square off Union Street. The John Herbert Nichols Gateway, erected in honor of a former athletic director, marks the entrance to the athletic complex. Dill Field, the school’s baseball diamond, is located behind Savage Field, the school’s football stadium.

Dill Field, Home of the Oberlin Yeoman

The Yeomen’s ballpark is of modest size, with a chainlink backstop and ten rows of metal bleachers on either side of cinder block dugouts. The baseball team has played in its current location since the 1920s.

Dill Field Scoreboard

The former site of Oberlin’s ball field where Moses Fleetwood Walker and his brother once played is historic, deserving of a historical plaque commemorating the site and its former location. If you are a fan of baseball, Tappan square certainly is worth a stop, should you find yourself in north central Ohio. It is just a few miles south of Interstate 90 on Route 58.

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged American Association, Boxer Rebellion, David B. Stinson, Deadball, Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, Dill Field, Moses Fleetwood Walker, North Coast Athletic Conference, Oberlin baseball, Oberlin College, Savage Field, Tappan Square, Toledo Blue Stockings, Welday Walker.

A San Francisco “Deadball Moment”

By David Stinson on December 26, 2012

Thanks much to Terrell Baldwin for sharing with me his Deadball-inspired moment he had with his son on a recent trip to San Francisco.

Here is Terrell’s story, interspersed with a few photos he took:

“I wanted to share with you an experience that my son and I had in San Francisco, California yesterday afternoon.

After reading your book, DEADBALL, I have thought a lot about some ballparks that I enjoyed as a young boy. Some of them still exist and some of them have been demolished. My family and I always visit the SF area for Christmas. My in-laws live in Berkeley so we are always looking for an adventure.

Plaque Honoring Seal Stadium, San Francisco CA

We decided to explore the mission District and look for Seals Stadium. We got off the BART train and headed East toward the location of Seals Stadium. When we climbed the small hill, I knew we were at the right spot, we were standing in front of DOUBLE PLAY bar and I began to tell my son about Seals Stadium. Less than a minute into the conversation, a man leaning on nearby newspaper vending machine started telling us about the Park.

Sign from Double Play Bar & Grill, Across the Street from Former Site of Seals Stadium

After visiting with the older Man for about five minutes, he suggested we go read the plaque on the opposite corner. We then crossed the street to view the plaque. As we approached the plaque, I turned to wave to the old man, and acknowledge that we had reached the correct spot. When I turned to wave he was gone!

I could not see the old man anywhere! I felt as if I was experiencing a DEADBALL moment. We took several pictures from all angles then headed over to DOUBLE PLAY to enjoy lunch and see some of the pictures that we had heard about inside the bar.

We entered the bar and began to look around, the bartender began telling us about the pictures, I then mentioned that the guy outside had told us about and described most of the pictures. The bartender then told us, that hardly anyone in the area knows much about it. He was very surprised to hear about an older man telling us about Seals Stadium.

I am going with the belief that the old man was Lefty O’Doul. I thought you might enjoy hearing about our adventure. We had a great time.”

Former Site of Seals Stadium, San Francisco CA

Terrell, thanks for taking the time to share your “Deadball Moment.” Here’s hoping there are more such moments to come.

DBS

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged baseball, California, Deadball, Deadball Moment, Double Play Bar, Lefty O'Doul, Mission District, San Francisco, San Francisco Giants, Seals Stadium, Terrell Baldwin. | 1 Comment

Vintage Coca Cola Santa’s Lost Ballpark Tour

By David Stinson on December 24, 2012

Each year my family and I take our Chirstmas card photo at a major league ballpark. In celebration of the season, here are some photos of the prop we take with us on our trips – a vintage Coca Cola Santa doll – all taken where baseball no longer is played or the stadium no longer exits.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! DBS

Shea Stadium, Flushing NY

Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY

RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

Pro Player Stadium, Miami FL

Busch Stadium, St. Louis MO

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged baseball, Busch Stadium, Coca Cola, D.C., Deadball, Flushing, Merry Christmas, Miami, New York, Pro Player Stadium, RFK, Santa Clause, Shea Stadium, St. Louis, Vintage Coca Cola Santa, Washington, Yankee Stadium.

Touring The Lost Ballparks of Baltimore

By David Stinson on December 6, 2012

Looking for a baseball fix this off-season? Can’t get enough of the Baltimore Orioles? Read on.

While conducting research for my book Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel I became quite familiar with the lost ballpark sites of Baltimore, including Union Park, home of the 1890’s world champion National League Baltimore Orioles, and American League Park, home of the 1901-02 American League Baltimore Orioles and the 1903-1914 International League Orioles – including Babe Ruth (a previous ballpark known as Oriole Park once sat at the same location as American League Park and was where the American Association Baltimore Orioles played from 1890 until May 1891). Union Park and American League Park were located just four blocks apart, Union Park at the southwest corner of East 25th Street and Guilford Avenue, and American League Park at the southwest corner of East 29th Street and Greenmount Avenue.

Baltimore's Union Park

In addition to Union Park and American League Park, two other ballparks were once located nearby. Terrapin Park (also known as Oriole Park), home of the 1914-15 Federal League Terrapins, the International League Orioles, and the 1938-1944 Negro American League Baltimore Elite Giants, was located directly across the street from American League Park at the northwest corner of East 29th Street and Greenmount. Memorial Stadium (and its earlier incarnation known as Municipal Stadium) home of the International League Orioles (1944-1953) and the “new” American League Orioles (1954-1991) was located .7 miles north and east of American League Park on 33rd Street.

Over the past few years, I occasionally have given tours of the old ballpark sites to die-hard Orioles fans and history buffs. This fall, I continued that tradition. In October, Bruce Brown, a friend and fellow SABR member toured the sites of Union Park, American League Park, and Terrapin Park.

Bruce Brown Standing in the Approximate Location of American League Park's Home Plate

And most recently, this past November, I made the same trek to Baltimore with friend and fellow author Austin Gisriel (Safe at Home, A Season in the Valley). Austin and I also toured the former site of Memorial Stadium, which Austin chronicled on the SABR blog Seamheads (see Seamheads.com).

Author Austin Gisriel at the Former Site of Union Park. The Building in the Background Once Sat Just To the Right of Union Park's Third Base Side Grandstand (see above picture of Union Park)

If you are interested in a tour of these sites, let me know. Just send me a comment to this posting (you may need to click on the title to this post – “Touring The Lost Ballparks of Baltimore” and scroll to the bottom of the page for the reply option) or send me a note on my facebook page – David B. Stinson. If there is enough interest, I’ll arrange a tour. With winter soon upon us, a tour of Baltimore’s lost ballpark sites could provide that much needed off-season baseball fix. In the meantime, below are four entries from my companion blog deadballbaseball.com with pictures and information about these lost ballpark sites. Enjoy!

Union Park

American League Park

Terrapin Park/Oriole Park

Memorial Stadium

Go O’s!

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged American League Park, Austin Gisriel, Babe Ruth, Baltimore Elite Giants, Baltimore Federal League, Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Terrapins, Bruce Brown, Deadball, Deadballbaseball.com, International League Orioles, Memorial Stadium, Municipal Stadium, Oriole Park, seamheads.com, Terrapin Park, Union Park. | 6 Comments

And Now For Something Completely Different – A Song – “Christmas 1864”

By David Stinson on December 5, 2012

A few years back – 15 to be exact – I had the pleasure of collaborating with singer songwriter Julie Sanderson on an original Christmas song – Christmas 1864. She wrote the music and I wrote the lyrics,. The song was released on one of Jeff Campbell’s wonderful Hungry For Music Holiday Feast CD’s (Volume 2). It has since been re-released on A Holiday Feast, Creme de la Creme. Julie Sanderson sang and played guitar on the song. Accompanying her were Pete and Maura Kennedy. Pete also produced the song and recorded it in his studio. His masterful instrumental accompaniment gave the song a distinctly Civil War feel.

Just before Thanksgiving this year, my brother Jim and I put the song to video, using public domain Matthew Brady images of the Civil War, most taken in and around Petersburg, Virginia, which is where the song’s story took place. Here’s the video: Christmas 1864 Youtube Video. Go ahead, give it a click.

For those of you looking for a little holiday mood music, what better way to rekindle the excitement of Christmas than listening to a song lamenting the stark reality of Christmas during wartime. For those of you looking for a place to round out your end-of-the-year gift giving, Hungry For Music is a non profit organization dedicated to providing musical instruments to young people who otherwise cannot afford them. Here is a link to that fine organization: Hungry For Music.

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged A Holiday Feast Volume 2, Christmas 1864, Civil War Christmas, Creme de la Creme, Hungry for Music, Julie Sanderson, Matthew Brady, Maura Kennedy, Pete and Maura Kennedy, Pete Kennedy, Petersburg Virginia.

On ESPN Radio and Back at the Smithsonian

By David Stinson on November 22, 2012

If you find yourself in the four-state listening area surrounding Greencastle, PA, this Friday November 23rd, be sure to tune into ESPN 1380 AM for Gordy’s Sports World at 1 pm. I will be Gordy’s guest talking about by my book Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel.

Gordy Schlotter, ESPN 1380 Radio Host

Also, be sure to tune into Gordy’s Sports World every other Thursday during the baseball off-season for the latest hot stove info brought to you by Austin Gisriel and yours truly, and hosted by Gordy. Our next show will be Thursday November 29th at 1:oo pm. Austin is a talented writer with keen eye (and pen) for baseball. Check out his blog at Austin Gisriel.

The Sunday following Thanksgiving – November 25th – I will be making my third appearance in D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, signing copies of Deadball next to the gift shop on the second floor near the museum’s entrance just off the National Mall. Here is a link to the event: Smithsonian Magazine Blog.

Remember, Deadball makes a great holiday gift.

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged 1380 AM, Austin Grisiel, David B. Stinson, Deadball, Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, ESPN, Gordy's Sports World, Greencastle, Museum of American History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

Signing At The Smithsonian This Sunday October 21st

By David Stinson on October 18, 2012

I’ll be making my second appearance in D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History this Sunday October 23rd, signing copies of Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel next to the gift shop on the second floor near the museum’s entrance just off the National Mall. I was there last month as well and had a chance to meet many in-town and out-of-town baseball fans who stopped by the table. Here is a link to the event: Smithsonian Institution Events Calendar

Manning the Table at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History with Calvin On September 21st

The thought originally was that, with the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles both in the playoffs, pennant fever would be sweeping the D.C. Metro area, making sales of Deadball easier than selling bottled water in the Sahara. Well, for those Nats and Orioles fans who now find themselves already missing the national pastime and longing for pitchers and catchers to report (122 days), be sure to stop by and pick up a copy of Deadball for your baseball fix.

And here’s a shout-out to Rose, one of the Smithsonian’s guards, who was stationed near the Mall exit last month. A fine lady with the wonderful gift of gab.

Me and Smithsonian Museum Guard Rose

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged American History Museum, Baltimore Orioles, David Stinson, Deadball, Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington Nationals.

Baltimore Book Festival This Friday September 28th

By David Stinson on September 27, 2012

If you are attending the Baltimore Book Festival, please look for me in the author’s tent on Friday September 28th. I will be there from noon – 8 pm selling and signing copies of Deadball. Here is a link with the info: Baltimore Book Festival

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged Baltimore Book Festival, David B. Stinson, Deadball. | 1 Comment

If You’re Going To The National Book Festival This Sunday . . .

By David Stinson on September 21, 2012

If you happen to find yourself downtown this Sunday, September 23rd, perhaps attending the National Book Festival on the mall, and you want to take a break from the crowds, come see me at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum from noon to 3 pm. I will be at the museum store signing copies of my book Deadball. Books will be available for purchase at the museum store.

Here’s the link: American History Museum Calendar.

This entry is filed under DBS Blog and tagged American History Museum, book signing, David B. Stinson, Deadball, Deadball A Metaphysical Baseball Novel.

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