_________________________________________________________ F A M E F O R U M N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L W O M E N 'S B A S E B A L L H A L L O F F A M E National Syndicated Column (contents are protected) Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU186277. Issue Number 00361 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 04 Publisher and Author January 30, 2007 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2006 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO SEE THE WEBSITE FOR ALL "HALL OF FAMERS" http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/albums DIDRIKSON, HOWARD, SCHILLACE, DANCER, FERGUSON, WINTER, WRIGHT, LUKASIK, MILLIKEN, BALLENTINE, GEYER, WALLACE, CIULLA, GUIDACE, MACURIO, SHELDON, BEAUCHAMP, HUDSON, BRENNEMAN, FERENO, SWEENEY TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: BEISBOL BELLES BROADCAST "A very good afternoon to you the ladies and gentlemen of my faithful WRJN listening audience. This is yours truly Ralph Schoenleben presenting to you a special report." A few seconds before these opening remarks, the veteran announcer checked with his chief engineer to ensure the microphone connections and cable extensions to the radio station's van in the distant parking lot were functioning properly before starting his transmission. A voice familiar to thousands of residents throughout the Racine and Kenosha area cheerfully beamed that spring from a mobile remote to cover a noteworthy event. "There will be no musical interludes this Sunday for I'm not at our comfortable studio and office downtown in the beautiful Hotel Racine. This report is originating from Midway Field on assignment from where within the hour our Racine Belles are scheduled to depart for spring training. But, before they do, there should be time for a few words with the famous Belles of the baseball diamond." "This year their destination won't be Florida," he paused for effect. "Our hometown champions travel about 90 miles beyond the Sunshine State over the deep blue Caribbean for a delightful time in Cuba." "Yes, that's right folks, as covered in the Racine Journal Newspaper, our parent company, the Belles will be in Havana practicing for the 1947 season to defend their trophy." The sterling voice continued, "We'll have a chance to talk to them before they embark on this arduous and adventurous journey to more enticing climes this time of year compared to along the shores of chilly Lake Michigan." "This spring the Belles are taking a page out of the play book of the Brooklyn Dodgers who also practiced in Havana instead of their Florida location. The Dodgers' new star this season is Jackie Robinson, and Branch Rickey decided training would be more accommodating in Cuba." Schoenleben briefly referred to his notes, "League owner Arthur Meyerhoff stated that all teams are expected to participate, and will stay at the Seville-Biltmore Hotel, which is near El Gran Estadio de la Habana, the capital's baseball stadium. About 170 players, managers, coaches, and chaperons made reservations." "The Cuban people adore baseball, and large crowds should greet all the players when they arrive. Most teams will depart Midway to either Miami or New Orleans before taking the final leg of their journey to Havana. I've been told, although from unconfirmed sources, that Presidente Ramon Grau San Martin, himself a great fan of baseball, approved the arrangements for the league's visit." While waiting for the team to arrive at the departure gate, Schoenleben offered some background information. "As you know, last year the Belles were League Champions and Playoff Champions in the AAGPBL, a feat accomplished in the 1943 season as well, which was the first year when Philip K. Wrigley formed this league. Wrigley sold the league to Arthur Meyerhoff prior to the start of the 1945 season for a reported $10,000 in order to devote time to the Chicago Cubs." "Last year, the September 16, 1946 Playoff Championship game between the Rockford Peaches and our Belles played at Horlick Field was the finest contest I've ever seen, an exciting 14 innings with a 1-0 score in favor of the home team. The winning pitcher was Joanne Winter, and here she comes now!" At that moment, Joanne Winter and teammate Sophie Kurys approached the gate carrying two suitcases apiece which were given to a baggage handler who tagged the luggage and placed it on a cart for the waiting DC-3. Winter recognized Schoenleben from prior performances at the downtown Racine studio. The Belles occasionally took to the airwaves to promote War Bonds during World War II. This afternoon they were attired in knee-length dresses highlighting brand new nylons, fashionable colorful hats, and light overcoats since it was still brisk in Chicago. "Don't we look pretty today," Ralph Schoenleben smiled, "and you can hit, too!" "Yes, we can hit, so don't get any ideas," Joanne happily snapped back. "I'm raring to go South of the Border where the weather is warmer. I was born and raised here in the Windy City, and I'm really looking forward to this trip. Look new nylons! No more rationing, too!" "Those days are past," Schoenleben chuckled. "Tell me, do you like airplanes better than trains? How long will it take to arrive in Havana?" "The Belles were first in the league to fly, so we're accustom to style and speed," she replied. "Last summer if we had games in Grand Rapids or Muskegon, we'd book PCA, which sure saved time, and we didn't have to bus around the south end of the lake." "PCA?" Schoenleben inquired and admitted, "I don't fly." "It's Pennsylvania Central Airlines," Winter explained. "They have a few routes here, part of Capital Airlines." "Flying's quicker," Sophie added a contribution to the interview. "The train would take us three days through Cincinnati and Atlanta and points south. Today we'll make New Orleans, and tomorrow morning fly to Havana." "The New Orleans route is the best," Joanne concurred, "rather than through Miami. We're on Delta Air Lines all the way to Saint Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. From there, it's one jump to Havana. Some other teams are on Delta through Cincinnati, Knoxville, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Miami. They must switch to Pan Am or National. Delta doesn't fly from Miami to Havana. The Belles agreed, the fewer stops the better!" "Thanks Joanne for your comments on the plane flight," Schoenleben acknowledged, and turned to her teammate, "Tell me Sophie, what do you expect to do in Havana? What's the training schedule?" "We're staying at a fine downtown hotel. The stadium is nearby," she cheerfully responded. "We'll be on the field practicing from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM daily during the first couple of weeks. The afternoons are too hot, so then we plan to have team talks indoors." "In the evenings," she continued, "the chaperons will keep an eye on us. You know Mildred 'Willie' Wilson is a real watchdog, but I'm sure we'll manage to find some trouble. Helena Rubinstein may have taught us how to behave like ladies, but that's back in the states!" "Hey, we gotta go! Oh, during the last week we'll have a tournament between all the teams. The winner gets the 'Esther Williams Trophy,' and the Belles are on a roll," she shouted, waved, and pranced towards the Delta DC-3 along with several other teammates. "Folks, there you have our report on the champion Belles," Schoenleben concluded. "There will be updates on their progress in Havana brought to you again on WRJN AM 1400, Wisconsin's pioneer radio station, established in 1926, and starting our next twenty years of broadcasting." "This is Ralph Schoenleben from Midway Field, and back to our downtown studio in the beautiful Hotel Racine." Note: The Racine Belles won the 1947 "Esther Williams Trophy" during spring training in Havana. The Belles arrived in Havana on Monday April 21, 1947. Several weeks later for Opening Day 1947 at Horlick Field, the Mayor of Racine tossed out the first ball. Radio station WRJN AM, operating since 1926, celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006. Former radio show host for more than 50 years, Ralph Schoenleben, was honored for his service to the station and the community. League Championship Playoff Team Racine Belles, September 16, 1946 Sophie Kurys, second base Moe Trezza, shortstop Pepper Paire, catcher Edie Perlick, left field Eleanor Dapkus, center field Maddy English, third base Marnie Danhauser, first base Betty Emry, right field Joanne Winter, pitcher B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and ten model bats. Free commemorative ribbons are also available. The website main page has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE January 25, 1918 Ernie Harwell birthdate, broadcaster. January 26, 1935 Bob Uecker birthdate, baseball announcer. January 27, 1899 Bibb Falk birthdate, MLB player. January 28, 1847 George Wright birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 28, 1958 Roy Campanella automobile accident. January 29, 1878 Barney Oldfield birthdate, racecar driver. (source for one Walter Johnson nickname) January 29, 1945 Tom Selleck birthdate, baseball actor. January 30, 1912 Barbara Tuchman birthdate, Pulitzer Prize. January 31, 1919 Jackie Robinson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 31, 1931 Ernie Banks birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 31, 1947 Nolan Ryan birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 1, 1896 Frank Lane birthdate, MLB executive. February 1, 1944 Paul Blair birthdate, MLB player. February 2, 1876 National League established. February 2, 1905 Ann Rand birthdate, author. February 2, 1923 Red Schoendienst birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 2, 1936 Cobb, Ruth, Wagner, Mathewson, and Johnson; first inductions into MLB Hall of Fame. February 3, 1890 Larry MacPhail birthdate, MLB executive. February 3, 1918 Helen Stephens birthdate, 1936 Olympic gold medalist, "World's Fastest Woman." February 4, 1969 Bowie Kuhn elected MLB Commissioner. February 5, 1891 Roger Peckinpaugh birthdate, MLB manager. February 5, 1934 Hank Aaron birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 6, 1895 Babe Ruth birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 7, 1949 Joe DiMaggio signed first $100,000 contract. February 7, 1969 Diana Crump first women jockey at Hialeah. February 8, 1869 Harry Pulliam birthdate, MLB executive. February 8, 1937 Clete Boyer birthdate, MLB player. February 9, 1914 Bill Veeck, birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 9, 1925 Vic Wertz birthdate, MLB player. February 10, 1884 Billy Evans birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 10, 1894 Herb Pennock birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 10, 1898 Judith Anderson birthdate, Emmy award. February 11, 1941 Sammy Ellis birthdate, MLB player. February 12, 1917 Dominic DiMaggio birthdate, MLB player. February 12, 1926 Joe Garagiola birthdate, sports broadcaster. February 13, 1918 Patti Berg birthdate, championship golfer. February 13, 1944 Sal Bando birthdate, MLB executive. February 14, 1913 Mel Allen birthdate, sports broadcaster. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2007 Season Publications Number 04, Beisbol Belles Broadcast (training), January 30. Number 03, Liberty Heights Revisited, January 18. Number 02, In Remembrance of President Jerry Ford, January 3. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 1. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/handouts E. NWB HALL OF FAME PROGRAMS The National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame, an independent not-for-profit organization established September 1998, is situated in suburban Washington, DC. The objective is to recognize achievements of women in regulation baseball. The NWB Hall of Fame offers these programs for participants in regulation baseball with organized leagues. Managers are are encouraged to recommend recognition awards and suggest articles on their teams, players, or events. Applications are available through email and are posted on the website. NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS Nominations for the NWB Hall of Fame are due September 30. Inductions may include four current and one previous players by formal application or candidate statement. NATIONAL MVP AND MANAGER AWARDS MVP player and manager award requests are due December 31. Season nominations should be by a manager or administrator. One MVP player per team may be selected annually. Membership covers transmission of newsletters, announcements, invitations, applications, and access to all website pages. Membership is $9.00 renewed annually, and an application is available on the NWB Hall of Fame website. _________________________________________________________ NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Richard C. Jaffeson, Executive Director PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20825 301-847-0102 HallFame@USA.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame" is a registered trade name with the State of Maryland. MD672265, October 19, 1998. Programs, articles, and contents presented herein are protected under provisions of the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. Fame Forum registrations are listed below: TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU186277. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________