Posted on 04/02/2017 10:33:37 AM PDT by SandRat
Graca quickly learned that the Black Sox were part of the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League; a collection of seven teams from Prescott to Bisbee and everywhere in between which features baseball rules from 1860 as established by the National Association of Base-Ball Players on March 14, 1860. That includes specific equipment and rules allowed. No gloves. A hand-sewn 1870s white lemon peel replica ball. Underhand pitching.
Vintage uniforms add to the atmosphere. Even a ban on any shoes or cleats with modern day logos. In other words, if 1860s players didn’t wear Nikes, Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball players can’t wear Nikes.
Most baseball fans around the state aren’t even aware of the winter season that’s been going on since November, and draws everyday guys and gals to throwback dugouts on doubleheader game days. The league’s season draws to a close April 8 and 9 at the Copper City Classic, the annual celebration of all things vintage baseball, when the 8th annual edition takes over perhaps the most fitting location to honor baseball’s past — Warren Ballpark in Bisbee — for two days.
The Black Sox joined the Arizona league in 2009. Technically there was already a ‘Bisbee’ team in the league, with the Phoenix-based Bisbee Bees naming themselves in honor of the ex-mining town’s former minor league baseball team, which played in the Arizona-Texas League from 1928-41.
“We want to strip them of their uniforms but coach won’t let me,” the Black Sox’ Kenny Lawrie joked.
So the local club took its name in honor of the former big leaguers — specifically former Chicago White Sox players off the infamous “Black Sox” team, who were banned for life from Major League Baseball yet appeared on outlaw league rosters and actually played at Warren Ballpark, which has hosted baseball games every year since 1909, making it arguably the oldest baseball stadium in continuous use in the U.S. Comparatively, Fenway Park opened in 1912 and Wrigley Field opened in 1914.
Warren has a rich history with baseball, having hosted professional ball for years with the Bees and, in the 1940s, spring training games between MLB teams like the Cubs and White Sox. Legends like Honus Wagner and Jim Thorpe, among others, played at Warren throughout its colorful history.
And while other teams in the Arizona vintage league play at less romantic sites, like anonymous city recreation complexes in Phoenix or Tucson, Warren provides the only stadium-like atmosphere with established ties to baseball’s past. The end-of-the-season tournament truly is more of a celebration of the sport’s past, with seven teams playing around the clock on Saturday and Sunday, including six Arizona clubs and one vintage team from Colorado.
The rules are definitely different compared to today’s game. Among the most notable to those watching are that an out can be recorded by catching a ball on one hop rather than just on a fly ball, and no lead-offs or stolen bases.
“(The rules) are totally different,” said the Black Sox’ Scott Beaudry, who goes by the nickname “Scoby” and who will be celebrating his 35th birthday on April 9 when Bisbee plays two games. “You can’t overrun first. You can’t slide.”
Ironically, next weekend’s tournament will mark the first time this season that the Black Sox will play at home in Warren Ballpark. All games are on the road, with most of the league’s clubs calling Phoenix or Tucson home, thus the schedule being heavily stacked with games in those cities. The season opened back in November with a new league team, the Fort Verde Excelsiors, getting hosting honors at Fort Verde State Historic Park, a parade ground, in Camp Verde.
The Black Sox, meanwhile, usually play the majority of their games at Joaquin Murrieta Park in Tucson.
“That’s basically our home field,” Lawrie said. “It’s a build up (to the end-of-the-season tournament at Warren).”
Game days are also, usually, the only time the team actually gets together. Due to work schedules, family schedules and other conflicts, there aren’t many opportunities for practice, says team captain Dan Frey.
“We subscribe to the Allen Iverson theory of practice,” Frey joked, invoking the NBA Hall of Famer’s infamous “practice?” remarks.
Although the team primarily consists of adults, Bisbee opens its roster to anyone. The Black Sox feature a 13-year-old, center fielder Reece Trevizo, whose dad also plays.
“He’s the only one who needed a parent’s permission slip,” joked Lawrie, who sports half green/half orange hair under his vintage ballcap.
“We wanted one for you,” Frey quickly retorted to Lawrie.
Last year’s tournament drew 800 fans to Warren over the two days. The same appeal for fans drives the players out as well.
“Baseball is life,” said Frey, 70. “It’s vintage ball. It takes the game back to its roots. Not all the way back to its roots but pretty damned far back.”
IF YOU GO
8th Annual Copper City Classic
Where: Warren Ballpark
When: April 8-9
Tickets: $10 for one day, $15 for both days. Kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit future renovations and improvements at the Bisbee Unified School District’s 108-year-old multi-sports facility
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Copper City Classic Schedule Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
9:30 Tucson Saguaros vs Bisbee Black Sox
11:00 Phoenix Senators vs Bisbee Bees
12:15 Presentation of Honorees*
12:30 Central Arizona All Stars vs Colorado All Stars
2:00 Glendale Gophers vs Phoenix Senators
3:30 Bisbee Bees vs Tucson Saguaros
5:00 Bisbee Black Sox vs Central Arizona All Stars
6:30: Post Game Blues at Crazy Ponyz in Old Bisbee
Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
9:30 Colorado All Stars vs Glendale Gophers
11:00 Bisbee Bees vs Bisbee Black Sox
12:30 Central Arizona All Stars vs Tucson Saguaros
2:00 Phoenix Senators vs Colorado All Stars
3:30 Glendale Gophers vs (Tucson Saguaros and Bisbee Black Sox)
*-Tournament will honor Red Adams, Bert Shepard and Clarence Maddern; all former pro players who at one time played at Warren Ballpark prior to World War II
I would guess they use a “dead” ball.
Wonder if you can still “burn” a player to get an out?
Wonder if spitballs are legal?
I never heard of the Arizona Vintage League-——but it sounds like a great way to spend a day.
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I don’t know.
If you want people to understand what you’re posting, this:
“Graca quickly learned that the Black Sox were part of the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League; a collection of seven teams from Prescott to Bisbee and everywhere in between which features baseball rules from 1860 as established by the National Association of Base-Ball Players on March 14, 1860. That includes specific equipment and rules allowed. No gloves. A hand-sewn 1870s white lemon peel replica ball. Underhand pitching.”
is not how to introduce a subject.
None the less, I thank you for posting this and making known to us the existence of this league.
Back then Nike was still only known as the Greek goddess of victory.
With underhand pitching and no gloves, I'm guessing your guess is right.
“See it used to be that this whole place was a stadium. And two teams would meet and play a game called baseball. One team would beat the other team to death with things called Baseball Bats, and the best bats were called Swatters. True fact.” - Moe Cronin
I think one could get around the underhand pitching rule — go submarine.
Shouldn’t they be the Black Stockings?
What would the ump say?
A ball,
A bunt
or
A strike?
Foul ball.
None the Less, Entertaining.
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