Civil War Veterans Base Ball Stories
Bruce Allardice: A professor of history at South Suburban College, Bruce is an avid sports historian, He currently heads up the "Civil War Baseball" subcommittee for the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) and is a member of SABR's Biography Committee, specializing in researching the lives of 19th Century ballplayers.
The Story of Hamtramck Stadium, Then & Now
Tom Derry: Tom, a 50 year old mail carrier, in 2010, saw the weed infested site of Gavin Field, later known as Briggs Stadium, and Tiger Stadium and led the movement to restore Gavin Field. Once Detroit decided to turn Gavin Field into a private ball field managed by PAL (police athletic league) Tom turned the Gavin Field Grounds Crew’s efforts to restoring Hamtramck Stadium. Historic Hamtramck Stadium is one of only five Negro League home ballparks still in existence. Hosted the 2018 VBBA Conference in Menomonie and attended the 2017 Conference.
The Art of Podcasting Vintage Base Ball Interviews
Rudy Frias: Learn about the brainchild of "Swamp Fox" Frias of The Columbus Capitals, The Vintage Base Ball Podcast, what it involves, what it takes to produce a podcast. The Vintage Base Ball Podcast, covers all topics in the vintage base ball community.
Base Ball Revolutionaries
Greg Gajus: The co-author of How the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings Turned Baseball Into a National Sensation. Greg will share with you some of the stories surrounding the first professional base ball club’s barnstorming year in the year of the 150th anniversary of that historic team. “Greg combines a true love and respect for the game with an impressive depth of knowledge…” Daniel Marks www.billjamesonline.com/footprints_on_the_baseball_landscape_my_interview_with_greg_gajus/
The Case For Doc Adams Election to Baseball's Hall of Fame, December 2021
Marjorie Adams, Doc Adams' great granddaughter, will personally present the argument for Doc Adams selection for the Early Baseball Era (1950 and prior) to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
A Founding Father of Baseball. Vote Daniel “Doc” Lucius Adams into the 2021 Hall of Fame.
Stories of Early Women Baseball Pioneers
This year Dr. Heaphy will focus on the stories of early women baseball pioneers: Lizzie, Amanda, Alta and Maud. With more women getting involved in professional sports, this is a timely topic. Dr. Leslie Heaphy is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Kent State University. Dr. Heaphy has published several works on women in baseball and on the Negro leagues. She has also been the editor of the journal Black Ball since 2008 and is highly active in the Society for American Baseball Research.
Greg Rhodes, Keynote Speaker
"Greg Rhodes is the author of a number of books on Cincinnati baseball and served as the first director of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. He is currently the Cincinnati Reds team historian." Goodreads
Marcus Dickson, The 1867 World's Tournament
Marcus Dickson presented at the 2020 conference. His topic this year will be: The 1867 World's Tournament.
Bob Sampson, Subject To Be Determined
Bob Sampson of the Rock Spring Ground Squirrels is historian for the Vintage Base Ball Association
The Ladies and Gentlemen of Vintage Base Ball Demographic: A Study of Vintage Ballist Demographics
Matt Stone also presented last year. His topic this year: The Ladies and Gentlemen of Vintage Base Ball Demographic: A Study of Vintage Ballist Demographics. This project determined what types of people participate in vintage base ball.
