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Saturday, April 15, 2017

LEGENDARY COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

City Park



City Park meant different things to different people. If you were of Little League age in the 1950’s, City Park meant the ball field across the road from Picnic Island. I played there the only year West Salisbury Little League played there – 1955, when I was an 11-year-old. To a kid, it was just a step down from Yankee Stadium. There were big crowds every night and the concession stand behind home plate did a booming business.

There were mothers in the stands that could be heard above the din when their son came to bat. Now, it can be hard to take for an 11-year-old to listen to a grown-up saying derogatory things about his pitching skills just because her son was at bat. There was no mercy or “politically correct” behavior in those days. It was part of our experience of growing up.

I pitched for the Knights of Columbus team and had none other than Joe Long as our manager. He was a legendary baseball figure in Shore baseball, but all of his former skills could not improve the sad lot he was entrusted to manage. One game in particular was personally embarrassing. I was pitching and we were losing 25-2. I looked over at Joe imploring him to take me out, but he just gave me another “hubba-hubba”, and let his little rag arm pitcher suffer the humiliation of a lop-sided loss. I guess this was just another experience to be suffered during the “growing-up” process.
The following year they opened up a Little League field out by the college. I remember going through the woods north of the Allenwood Shopping Center to get there. But it was not the same as playing down at City Park. If the players of today could only experience playing on the fields we had, they would appreciate the manicured fields that have taken so much time and effort to make them that way. Even though it only had a dirt infield and snow fences in the outfield, the setting was something I have not seen in Salisbury since.

One game in particular stands out in my memory. My grandfather was a great baseball fan, but he didn’t know anything about the psychology of the young mind. He came to one particular game and declared that he would give any player a dollar if they got a hit – five dollars for a home run. Well, you can imagine the results of a bunch of young boys with minimal batting skills and visions of money dancing in their heads. I am not sure if we got a hit or not, but we sure took some hefty swings. Just as today, money changes the way we get results.

24 comments:

Jack K Richards said...

George, my sons played at that field Had some great times. Thanks

Anonymous said...

i played for ruritan back in the mid 60's. won the pennant my first year with some guys many people on here would now know.. that was big time then. although i always felt the season ended to early, like the first week of june. hanging out in the park at little league and being on a team. trying to dig up a nickel, find an old bottle to turn in for money, for a pack of baseball cards!
getting a foul ball and returning it for a free soda.
great times and memories.
still go down there now and then and walk around. it's a shame it's such a mess now.

Anonymous said...

George can you do the history on Little League baseball in Wicomico County. We now have West Salisbury, Delmar, East Wicomico, Fruitland and Willards. It seems like a waste to have 5 leagues in the County when they can only produce a few teams for each division.

George Chevallier said...

I did one on Salisbury Little League some time ago. I will rerun it next week. There weren't any Delmar, Fruitland or Willards Little Leagues back in the 1950's.They tried to get a "town ball" league that was boys after Pony League. I signed up for Fruitland, but they folded before they got started.That was also the year-1959-that the Optimist League started. They are still operating as the Colt-Palomino League

Anonymous said...

When we moved to Salisbury from New York State in 1967, the local interest in their Little League teams was wonderful. Moving away from home was frightening for our young boys, but getting involved with Little League made the transition easier. A summer making friendships on a team made entering a new school in September much easier.

Anonymous said...

Fruitland did have a little league that started sometime in the 50's. There were 4 teams, Dulany, Lions, Merchants and Surban Gas House Gang. Don't remember the year but people like Jerry Pusey, Sparky Pusey, Dick Carey, Roddy Dulany and other were on the teams

You got to be joking me said...

Obama has a baseball Czar that claims baseball causes violence and they are trying to ban Baseball!

Anonymous said...

"Obama has a baseball Czar that claims baseball causes violence and they are trying to ban Baseball! "

You have got to be trolling because I refuse to believe anyone could be stupid enough to believe that.

Anonymous said...

Joe Long was my Pony League Baseball Coach in 1976 when I played on the Marine Corps League Team. He did so much for youth, and he was an inspiration to me as a young teenager. I remember like yesterday, he sat beside me in the dugout just before a game, and said"Son you are only kid that I have ever seen , that could throw a baseball through a car wash without getting the ball wet" Of course at that time in my young life, his statement went right over my head. I went out that day and throw another no-hitter. Then in the 1977 Pony League season, I set the all time National Pony League seasonal strikout record of striking out 161 batters in 72 innings, with a season ERA "Zero" 0.8. Thsi record still stands today, and it is now the 35 Anniversary of this National record. After the League MVP award banquet. In recieved a letter of congratulations from Senator Joe Long on his official letter head stationary. I donated this very letter from Coach "Hubba Hubba" along with the orginal Daily Times Article to the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, were it still sits today. He was a good man, a great coach and did so much for youth here in Wicomico County. As I went on later , to play professionally, I would think of Joe Long often, and the way he motivated us young people. He will never be forgotten here on the Shore. Thank you Joe Long for being a great mentor to me during my youth. Sincerely, Mark Mason

Anonymous said...

Fruitland LL started 1956.

Anonymous said...

These memories are precious...Yes, today parents don't seem to get it. Their child has to be on top, the best, and second best won't do. So sad we can't just compete, play the game with honor and be happy.

Anonymous said...

Jack K Richards said...
George, my sons played at that field Had some great times. Thanks

July 21, 2012 at 10:53 AM

George would be reading your comment from Heaven!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
i played for ruritan back in the mid 60's. won the pennant my first year with some guys many people on here would now know.. that was big time then. although i always felt the season ended to early, like the first week of june. hanging out in the park at little league and being on a team. trying to dig up a nickel, find an old bottle to turn in for money, for a pack of baseball cards!
getting a foul ball and returning it for a free soda.
great times and memories.
still go down there now and then and walk around. it's a shame it's such a mess now.

July 21, 2012 at 10:55 AM

I'm that old, but I do remember looking for old soda bottles in the ditches. Many times we had to dig them out of the ground and turn them in caked in dirt. Those were the days!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Fruitland LL started 1956.

April 15, 2017 at 10:54 AM

If Scott Underwood wasn't the President and Billy Atkinson wasn't involved it would be a much better league. They have ruined Fruitland LL, but I will give Jay Disharoon the credit for keeping that ship afloat.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
George can you do the history on Little League baseball in Wicomico County. We now have West Salisbury, Delmar, East Wicomico, Fruitland and Willards. It seems like a waste to have 5 leagues in the County when they can only produce a few teams for each division.

July 21, 2012 at 11:44 AM

George is in Heaven so I doubt he will be able to respond.

Anonymous said...

George Chevallier said...
I did one on Salisbury Little League some time ago. I will rerun it next week. There weren't any Delmar, Fruitland or Willards Little Leagues back in the 1950's.They tried to get a "town ball" league that was boys after Pony League. I signed up for Fruitland, but they folded before they got started.That was also the year-1959-that the Optimist League started. They are still operating as the Colt-Palomino League

July 21, 2012 at 12:32 PM

LOL.... I wish he was her to answer you.

Fruitland is running well you old fart!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
George can you do the history on Little League baseball in Wicomico County. We now have West Salisbury, Delmar, East Wicomico, Fruitland and Willards. It seems like a waste to have 5 leagues in the County when they can only produce a few teams for each division.

July 21, 2012 at 11:44 AM

I agree with you 100%. Can you imagine the All Star Team we could have if there was only 1 Little League and it was call Wicomico County Little League.

Here is some food for thought. These other franchises didn't open up because there was such a dire need for more leagues. They opened up because mommy and daddy got upset because their little Cal Ripken didn't make the cut for all stars. So a group got together and contacted LL International because they are quick to start a new league and they encourage it. Now we have little leagues with not enough teams so they have to interleague with other LL's or send their kids to another League. What a crying shame. EWLL, FLL, Delmar, Willard and West doesn't have enough kids for the older teams. In Somerset you have Princess Anne and Crisfield struggle to stay afloat. Pocomoke is struggling.

One league, one location and many, many different teams to play against. It gets old playing the same team over and over again.

Anonymous said...

Mark Mason, what a local stud! Thanks for the bragging rights!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Joe Long was my Pony League Baseball Coach in 1976 when I played on the Marine Corps League Team. He did so much for youth, and he was an inspiration to me as a young teenager. I remember like yesterday, he sat beside me in the dugout just before a game, and said"Son you are only kid that I have ever seen , that could throw a baseball through a car wash without getting the ball wet" Of course at that time in my young life, his statement went right over my head. I went out that day and throw another no-hitter. Then in the 1977 Pony League season, I set the all time National Pony League seasonal strikout record of striking out 161 batters in 72 innings, with a season ERA "Zero" 0.8. Thsi record still stands today, and it is now the 35 Anniversary of this National record. After the League MVP award banquet. In recieved a letter of congratulations from Senator Joe Long on his official letter head stationary. I donated this very letter from Coach "Hubba Hubba" along with the orginal Daily Times Article to the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, were it still sits today. He was a good man, a great coach and did so much for youth here in Wicomico County. As I went on later , to play professionally, I would think of Joe Long often, and the way he motivated us young people. He will never be forgotten here on the Shore. Thank you Joe Long for being a great mentor to me during my youth. Sincerely, Mark Mason

September 30, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Did you really have to put us through all this?? It's a good story in a way, but to be so conceited as you are you took the fun out of this story.

Let me guess, you had so many colleges recruiting you and so many scouts drafting you. Sounds like it!

Anonymous said...

Whoever allowed Lacrosse to come to this area helped ruing baseball for everyone!!

Anonymous said...

Scott Underwood and Billy Atkinson. My God, did you have to remind us of those 2 idiots!

Anonymous said...

10:55....We must have played on the same Ruritan team. I was also on Ruritan in the mid 60's and we won the pennant.. Davis Ruark was shortstop. Bob Baldwin pitched, played first. Denny Shupe played 3rd/SS. Fred Tacket was second base. To name a few of us.
Best of Times.

Anonymous said...

Played against you in the all star city game, East-West. Dick Ramsey told us to just try to get it in play and hope your defense gave us a shot. You did "bring the heat".
During my years, parents paid for our run at the World Series, parents allowed coaches to coach, coaches knew the game and weren't just desparate to live vicariously through their kids, there was no travel ball. During my years 4-5 guys went on to play professionally and a couple in other professional sports. Those were great days.
I remember an All - Star practice and the infield booted a few balls, Coaches Beauchamp, Knapp, Curry, Waggoner and Lange collected the gloves and we played gloveless at game effort. These days someone would cry foul and it couldn't happen. Good times. Great lessons.
Brittingham, Webster, Shiles, Benedict were also great teachers

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the first female to play?.. . Pam Fredricks, I believe
They were different times. Trophies only for champions. Wouldn't trade the motivating lows of losing or the satisfying triumph of winning.