Friends of Rickwood and Birmingham Barons Announce 2012 Rickwood Classic

The Friends of Rickwood and the Birmingham Barons announced this week the 17th annual Rickwood Classic, to be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.

The annual throwback game will this year pay tribute to Wartime Baseball, and will honor baseball’s connection to the World War II and Korean War eras, including honoring the players and the Baron teams from that period.

Former two-time MVP and Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy will be this year’s VIP guest, and will sign autographs and interact with fans.

The May 30 event will feature the Barons versus the Chattanooga Lookouts, with opening pitch at 12:30.  Tickets are available through the Barons’ ticket office, at 205.988-3200 or on-line at barons.com.

Please click file below to view the event press release.

01-25-12 Rickwood Classic Details Release

Friends of Rickwood to Participate in Alabama Gives Day

The Friends of Rickwood are pleased to participate in the inaugural Alabama Gives Day, to be held on Thursday, February 2.

Sponsored by the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, in partnership with the Alabama Broadcasters Association, Alabama Gives Day is a 24 hour campaign to get supporters to donate on-line to the nonprofits of their choice.

Please visit the Friends of Rickwood donation page by clicking on the Alabama Gives Day link on the Rickwood website opening page.

Thank you for your support.

American Baseball Foundation Banquet: February 3, 2012

The American Baseball Foundation will hold its 11th annual banquet on Friday, February 3, 2012.  Andre Dawson wil be the keynote speaker and VIP guest.

Please see below information from the ABF, as well as the event poster:

Please take a moment and consider attending the American Baseball Foundation’s 11^th annual fund raising event featuring Hall of Famer Andre Dawson on Friday, February 3^rd at The Club in Birmingham, AL.   All attendees will receive the following:  free signed 8 by 10 color, photo of Andre, free signed photos of ex MLB stars on-hand for the event—Matt Downs, Steve Woodard, Oscar Gamble, free chance to win a raffle of Dawson-signed memorabilia, access to huge silent auction, tours of baseball exhibitions re Dawson, live-auction of Dawson-signed jersey.    David Osinski 205-558-4235

 

Southeastern Glove Collectors Return to Rickwood for Show, Sale, and Swap

The Friends of Rickwood are pleased to announce that the Southeastern Glove Collectors organization will return to Rickwood on Saturday, February 11, for its annual glove exhibition, sale, and swap.  This year’s get-together will coincide with the Miles College Golden Bears baseball doubleheader, also set for February 11.  Game time 12:00 noon.

Please see glove show details below provided by the Southeastern Glove Collectors:

Baseball and Sports Memorabilia Exhibition and Sale to be held at Historic Rickwood Field

Saturday, February 11, 2012

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

No admission charge to attend and participate

Items will be on display, as well as items for sale and trade

Contact Gerald Watkins for additional details: glwatkinsjr@yahoo.com

Gabby Bell, “Voice of the Birmingham Barons,” Passes Away

The Friends of Rickwood are saddened by the December 9 passing of George “Gabby” Bell, the long-time radio voice of the Birmingham Barons.  Mr. Bell was 85.

He began his career in Birmingham in the late 1940′s, and will always be remembered by the listeners of the 38 station, 4 state radio network, as the “Voice of the Birmingham Barons.”

Please see link below to the  death announcement in the Paducah (KY) Sun, his hometown.

http://www.paducahsun.com/pages/full_story_free/push?article-George+Bell%20&id=16777492&instance=obituaries

The Courier: SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee Newsletter

Our friend Larry Lester is a tireless advocate of Negro League history, and edits and publishes The Courier, the quarterly newsletter of  SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee.

The December 2011 edition is jam-packed with information, including several articles that have ties to Rickwood Field, as well as registration information for the 2012 Jerry Malloy Negro Leagues Conference, to be held July 19 – 21, in Cleveland, OH.

Please see pdf file below for the current edition of The Courier.

The Courier_Dec2011

 

American Baseball Foundation Announces 2012 Banquet Guest

The American Baseball Foundation has announced that Andre’ Dawson will be the guest VIP and keynote speaker at its 2012 banquet, set for Friday, February 3, at The Club, in Birmingham.

The ABF is a Birmingham-based non-profit providing academic and baseball instruction to underserved youth, including holding its summer BASIC program each June at Rickwood Field.

Please see attached save-the-date card, and visit the ABF website for additional information.

www.americanbaseball.org

std3

 

Kelly Jack Swift — Sports Illustrated

The October 17 edition of Sports Illustrated contains a terrific article about the career of Kelly Jack Swift, the last minor leaguer to win 30 games, in North Carolina Class D ball, in 1953.  The following season, Swift moved-up to Memphis, in the Southern Association, making him a potential Rickwood veteran.

The article captures fully the hey-day of minor league baseball.

Please see article link below:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1191155/index.htm

Southern Association Baseball History Featured in Nashville Exhibit

Southern Association historian Clarence Watkins provides this scanned article regarding the recent opening of the Nashville Metro Archives exhibit, featuring artifacts and memorabilia from Nashville’s rich baseball history.

Rickwood Field Makes “Must See” List on Ultimate Sports List Site

The Friends of Rickwood are pleased to have Rickwood Field included in “Nine Must See Baseball Experiences,” as ranked by The Ultimate Sports List website.  The site’s current list features “nine baseball events and venues beyond MLB that every fan should experience.”

The Friends appreciate greatly this support and exposure.

Please see link below to the tusl.com blog:

http://ow.ly/66nnJ

also:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/823343-nine-must-see-baseball-experiences-with-no-major-league-baseball