When Chick Filet’ played an inning in right back in the 2008 first game of the resurrected Houston Babies, we pretty much knew what we were getting. That’s why Chick never played again. On the other hand, what do we know about the early athletic backgrounds of others we hang out with? – It’s time to do some research.
Late Friday, we decided to do some research on what some of our Pecan Park Eagle friends and colleagues may have done during their presumed early athletic careers. Here’s what we had time to learn in a once over lightly review of digital news file services:
1) “Connellsville beat host Colonial, 12-6, in Fayette County (PA) American Legion Baseball League activity yesterday. … Greg Lucas was the most troublesome Colonial batter, with a double, single, and three runs driven across.” ~ Connellsville (PA) Daily Mirror, July 15, 1976, Page 8.
2) In a state high school basketball title hopes elimination game, the Hillsboro Indians fell to the Miami Trace Panthers by a score of 65-62. “Mike Vance had an outstanding night for the Indians, hitting on 13 of 19 field goals for 26 points. It was the second half though where Vance was phenomenal as he made 9 of 11 shots including eight in a row.at one point.” ~ Hillsboro (OH) Press Gazette, February 4, 1974, Page 7.
3) “What do Ernest Wagner, Marion Crawley, Herm Keller, Ray Crowe, Bill Green, Bill Harrell, Tom May and Mike McCroskey have in common? – They are the eight individuals in the 83-years of Indiana high school boys and girls basketball to win back-to-back state championships.” ~ Kokomo (IN) Tribune, March 11, 1993, Page 33.
4) “Four tilts have been reported (but only one here) of Tuesday night action of the city recreation women’s slow pitch softball league. – Piney Grove was a 20-5 winner over First Baptist-Garfield as Phil Holland had two home runs, Gloria Turner had three hits, and Marlene Holland and Mary Ann Gaither paired hits.” ~ Statesville (NC) Record, July 20, 1977, Page 32.
5) In a 14-6 loss to West Branch, “Clayburg got the board early in the fourth quarter, when Hileman connected with Tony Cavender for a 23-yard touchdown pass to highlight a 12-play 74 yard drive. The conversion failed, giving West Branch a 14-6 lead (that held up as the final score).” ~ Bedford (PA) Gazette, September 29, 1997, Page 4.
6) “Terrace hurdler Bill Hale set a new school record in the high hurdles event against Englemoor last Friday, covering the distance in 15.5 seconds. Hale also took first in the low hurdle event>” – Lynnwood (WA) Enterprise, March 26, 1969, Page 15.
7) In the first round of Van Wert city tennis tournament at Jubilee Park, “Bob Stevens and Steve Keister defeated Dale Wheeler and Kirbey Brown, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.” ~ Van Wert (OH) Times Bulletin, September 20, 1974, Page 11.
8) Larry Hajduk kicked six extra points and also caught a 22-yard TD pass in the third quarter as his Beth-Center Bulldogs “ran wild last night as it (they) raced to a 50-12 win over Clairton.” ~ Uniontown (PA) Evening Standard, September 21, 1974, Page 10.
9) The Lamar Redskins defeated the Baytown Ganders, 5-3, in Galveston at the Ball High baseball tournament. Jimmy Disch played right field for Lamar, going 2 for 3 on the day with a single to left in the fifth that loaded the bases and spurred Lamar to the two runs that inning that supplied his club with their final margin of victory. ~ Baytown (TX) Sun, March 22, 1964, Page 5.
Hmmm! That last one looks like it really may have been the same Jimmy Disch that now plays for our Houston Babies. As for the others, further research is needed.
The Pecan Park Eagle 
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