Houston Baseball, The Early Years, 1861-1951
Abbott: “Who plays first for the Houston Babies.”
Costello: “Who?”
Abbott: “That’s right!”
The epic Houston baseball history book is coming soon. Researched and written by members of our local Larry Dierker Chapter, and masterfully edited by member Mike Vance, the work also includes a most insightful treatment of factors that led Houston to the major leagues by SABR member and Houston writing icon Mickey Herskowitz. The book is at the Bright Sky Publishing Company’s printer now and will be available to the public in late April. Because it is a limited edition printing, primarily intended as a service to history, you may want to consider ordering your copy now, while it is still available (period).
Funds derived from this 501 C (3) non-profit organization product will be used by the Larry Dierker chapter on other local baseball history and preservation projects.
The chapter’s book order link is listed here: http://www.houstonbaseball.org/
The SABR National Convention in Houston, Royal Sonesta, July 30-August 3
Royal Sonesta Style
Houston, Texas
Under the leadership of Chapter Chair, Bob Dorrill, and Convention Planning Co-Chair, Marsha Franty, plans for the gathering of 500-700 SABR members in Houston this summer are moving along very well. We will have the hotel to ourselves, with trips to other activities and ballgames at both Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, and Constellation Field, home of the independent Atlantic League’s Sugar Land Skeeters for convention attendees to enjoy. – And get this – all SABR members attending the convention will receive a complimentary copy of “Houston Baseball,” our 368 page, hard back book on our colorful new work on the subject. It is a fine primary source history of Houston baseball that includes numerous photos and some choice artistic renderings of the city’s oldest major ball parks, as they were researched and envisioned on canvas by brilliant artist and ardent baseball fan, Patrick Lopez.
Numerous figures of importance to Houston baseball history as managers and players will attend, as well as a number of Texas-born players with strong World Series backgrounds. Marie “Red” Mahoney, a SABR member and former star in the Old American Girls’ Professional Baseball League (of Their Own) will also be there – and Astros President Reid Ryan will deliver the convention’s welcoming address. If you are a local SABR member and would like to attend – or if you are simply an avid baseball fan who has not yet joined SABR, now would be the best time in the world to do it.
Think about it – if you join SABR and/or register for the convention now – you are going to also get a free copy of the finest, biggest, baddest history of Houston baseball ever written – one that only lived as a dream until now.
Contact Chapter and Convention Chair Bob Dorrill ASAP about joining SABR and registering for the convention by:
home phone: 281-361-7874 or by e-mail: bdorrill@aol.com
Stay tuned for further developments!
Member Greg Lucas has a New Baseball Book Coming Out Soon!
Greg Lucas
Long time FOX network Astros telecaster Greg Lucas spoke at our St. Patrick’s Night meeting about his new book and it sounds like one that belongs in all baseball reader collections. “It’s More Than Just A Game” is the title. Lucas has turned his love of baseball and his voracious hunger for the impressive, but lesser known back stories of baseball history loose on this project and he has come up with what will likely be one of the most entertaining and informative books ever on baseball’s many lesser known, but most incredible people and their many quite varied accomplishments. – Stay tuned for more ordering information. The Pecan Park Eagle will stay all over this story until ordering information can also be published here. Real Lucas fans will not need to wait for reviews. They know what Greg is capable of producing from his work on television, So, stay in touch here – and we will keep you posted. – As for me, I will also be joyously awaiting his follow-up book. Suggested title? How about – “The Kokomo Kid Rides Again!”
Houston Babies Play Tomorrow, Saturday, March 22, 2014, at George Ranch, 10:00 AM – and again after lunch.
Come see us tomorrow! If we don’t get flooded out by a rising creek, the Houston Babies will celebrate the second official day of spring playing vintage baseball (1860s rules) at George Ranch State Park, just south of Sugar Land on the west side of town. (Google Map it.)
The Babies was the name given to the first Houston Texas League team back in 1888, when true professional baseball finally got started in Texas fr the first season. Our Houston SABR Chapter decided back in 208 to raise the Babies from the dead and let them play again. Several of our players, managed by Bob Dorrill, are SABR members, but we also do not shun ringer athletes with youth and great playing ability on their resumes either.
The original Babies played with gloves by rules more similar to today’s game of baseball. The resurrected Babies play by 1860s rules to stay in step with the national preference for showing today’s fans what baseball was like back in it’s really early years of organized play. We use no gloves – and any ball caught on the first bounce is an out. You really need to come see how this all plays out with a few other little rule differences into a fun game for spectators and players alike.
Come see us tomorrow morning and find out for yourself. We’re hoping and expecting to get the morning game played before those predicted afternoon rains arrive – and we are hoping they come late in the day. There will be food and other things to do at George Ranch, which, in itself is like a time warp step back into the pastoral 19th century that gave birth to baseball as we know it. – So, come join us. And let us know you came by way of this invitation. We would love to hear from you.
And, if you love baseball, please consider joining SABR. You don’t have to be a math wizard or a trained historian. You just have to love the game.
So, if you fall into that broad category, please contact Bob Dorrill. Join now. And watch SABR change your baseball life for the better.
Have a nice weekend, everybody!
Tags: SABR HOUSTON UPDATE
The Pecan Park Eagle 
March 21, 2014 at 9:01 pm |
Bill: This book will be a big hit with all fans! I am eagerly anticipating its publication which aptly coincides with the beginning of the new season!
March 22, 2014 at 2:01 am |
Bill, you’ve spurred me into action. I’ve been interested in joining SABR for some time now, but have just never followed through on the urge. I just emailed Bob Dorrill for some information on the Larry Dierker chapter. Thanks for the encouragement to all of us fellow baseball fanatics.
March 22, 2014 at 2:28 am |
Welcome to the party, Rick! You will only grow in your good feelings about joining SABR – especially now – with our Houston baseball history book coming out in April- and our Larry Dierker Chapter hosting the SABR national convention this summer. – I really look forward to meeting you in person. – Regards, Bill
March 22, 2014 at 2:51 am |
I already have the book pre-ordered, and I’m looking forward to a great read. It’s what made me wish I’d joined SABR much earlier – I would have loved to have had an opportunity to work on such a project. Maybe there will be other opportunities in the future.