The Newsletter of America’s Oldest Ballpark Volume 1, Issue 1

December 6, 2019 R ICKWOOD T ALES

Rickwood Calendar R EMEMBERING ART CLARKSON 1/12/6/19 to 3/11/20:

• Dec. 14: Crimson Tide The Friends of Rickwood ons” nickname, which the Memorabilia Auction, mourn the loss of Art Clark- club had used from 1901 to , 9:00-11:00 son, who died in Birmingham 1965. He also refurbished the a.m. https:// on October 7, 2019 at the ballpark, and added a new rickwood.com/events/ age of 78. Clarkson spent his scoreboard to replace the old professional life as a tireless the--football- one, which had been removed promoter, owner, and general years earlier. memorabilia-auction/ manager of sports franchises

throughout the . • Jan. 25: National SABR Clarkson’s Barons captured Day lunch, Jim ‘N Nicks in Southern league crowns in Homewood, 12:00 p.m. When the A’s left Birmingham 1983 and 1987 at Rickwood following the 1975 campaign, Field, which were the final • Jan. 31: ABF Lead-off fans and Rickwood titles won at America’s oldest Dinner with Andruw Field suffered five long sum- ballpark. At a Rickwood Field Jones, The Club, 6:30 p.m. mers without a professional SABR chapter meeting in Art Clarkson enjoying the franchise. Clarkson was work- 2016, Clarkson entertained 2018 Rickwood Classic • Feb. 1-2, 8-9 & 15-16; ing as a general manager for attendees with stories about March 7 & 11: Miles Col- another minor league club those years, including the when he traveled to Birming- time when Rickwood’s sprin- lege baseball games at ham to evaluate the possibil- klers mysteriously caused a Clarkson was instrumental in Rickwood (Day games – ity of bringing professional “rainout” giving the Barons’ getting the Hoover Metropoli- see website for times) baseball back to the Magic worn-out pitching staff a re- tan Stadium constructed. He City. He found Rickwood’s prieve during the ‘83 playoffs. moved the team to the sub- • March 7: The 17th Annual gate locked, but scaled a urbs in 1988. Over 30 years

Southern Association Con- fence to get in. Standing at later, on October 22, 2019, ference, Rickwood, 9:00 home plate, the rich history of Although he loved Rickwood, his celebration of life was a.m. the ballpark left him in awe; he realized the many chal- held at the Met, appropriately lenges in the day-to-day oper- and he made his decision. during the first game of the ations made a move inevita- World Series.

ble. On August 30, 1987, the SAVE THE DATE! Clarkson’s ownership group Barons played their final regu- At the Met, the Barons won a acquired the Montgomery lar season game as tenants of Southern League title in Rebels and moved the team Rickwood Field. Thanks to Art The 2020 Rickwood 1989. to Birmingham for the 1981 Clarkson, every fan at the Classic has been season. One of his first deci- park received a certificate of scheduled for: sions was to restore “the Bar- attendance. [Continued on page 2] Monday, June 8, 2020. First pitch is at J ERRY M ALLOY N EGRO L EAGUE C ONFERENCE 12:30 pm. We’ll see R ETURNING TO B IRMINGHAM , J UNE 11- 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 you at the ballpark! The Society for American loy Conference has been the cides with the 100th anniver- Baseball Research and the only symposium dedicated sary of the founding of the Rickwood Field SABR Chapter exclusively to the examination Negro National and Negro are pleased to announce that and promotion of black base- Southern Leagues. Research- the prestigious Jerry Malloy ball history. The conference is ers and authors from across Negro League Conference will open to baseball and history the country will be visiting be held June 11-14, 2020 in fans of all ages.” Birmingham Birmingham to attend the Birmingham. According to last hosted the conference in event. Our March newsletter SABR, “since 1998, the Mal- 2010. This year’s edition coin- will have more details. Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1 ART CLARKSON TRIBUTE

Clarkson stayed active in Bir- 100th birthday. Although a [Continued from page 1] mingham sports, as he relo- rainstorm soaked the field, cated an East Coast Hockey which scuttled a scheduled Clarkson’s three championships League team from Cincinnati exhibition game, this did not are the second most for an owner to Birmingham in 1992 and dampen the spirits of those in in Barons’ history behind only A.H. successfully ran the team as attendance. One of the speak- “Rick” Woodward’s five titles from the Bulls until 1997. He then ers that day was Art Clarkson, 1910-37. left Birmingham and owned who told stories and shared several arena/indoor football his memories of the park that

franchise in Huntsville, Green was his baseball home for 7 In 1991, Clarkson sold the Barons Bay, Wisconsin and Colorado memorable seasons. to Suntory International. Birming- before finally retiring. ham sportswriter Wayne Martin recalled that months before the His connection to Rickwood sale, a minority owner’s widow However, he never really re- never ended as he regularly offered her share of the Barons to tired. In 1981, Clarkson had attended the Classic and ap- Clarkson for the modest price of returned the Barons to Bir- peared at the annual South- the original investment. Putting mingham. In 2017, he did it ern Association Conference, aside his own self-interest, he sug- again as he moved another which is held every March at “Art Clarkson was a gested she hold onto her shares a hockey franchise to the area the ballpark. while longer because “something and rebranded them “the true Friend of is about to happen.” When he later Bulls” [the original Bulls had Art Clarkson was a true Friend sold the Barons, she made sub- moved after the 2000-01 of Rickwood, and his legacy Rickwood and his legacy stantially more money — 25 times season]. He was the Bulls’ will remain an indelible part of her asking price — thanks to Clark- managing partner until the the history of the ballpark, will remain an indelible son’s generosity. late spring of 2019, when he which he helped save. stepped down for good. part of the history of At the 2006 Rickwood Classic, the the ballpark, which he announced On August 18, 2010, Rick- - Jeb Stewart the induction of Art Clarkson into wood Field celebrated its helped to save.” the club’s hall of fame.

Clarkson smiling down on “The House that Art Built” during the celebration of his life Rickwood Tales Page 3

R EMEMBERING A LLEN F ARR

The Friends of Rickwood lost From his professional training Allen was a unique individu- a true friend as Allen Farr and experience, Allen was al, and a one-of-a-kind unexpectedly died on Satur- invaluable at solving any elec- friend. His extraordinary day, March 16, 2019 at the trical problems at the ball- intelligence, keen analytical age of 72. Allen had a great park. He was always patient, skills, and remarkable tal- desire to help his community kind and willing to help any- ents combined to bring a and the Birmingham area. He one. Allen Farr epitomized unique perspective to any did so through several organi- why our organization is conversation or problem at- zations, but his biggest pas- named “the Friends”. hand, whether it be electri- sion was preserving Rickwood cal engineering, political Field. He was a founding analysis, social discourse, Former executive director member of the Friends of civic affairs, or even music … Rickwood. David Brewer’s poignant eulo- gy of Allen brought tears to I absorbed only a small frac- many in attendance at Allen’s tion of his intelligence and Allen was a 1964 graduate of memorial service. David re- talent; I am today vastly High School and at- called: wiser and more-skilled than tended Auburn and Vander- before [for having known

bilt, earning a degree in Elec- Allen]. Our dear friend was so trical Engineering. He worked for many years at Alabama dependably there, and so Power and was a line crew infinitely helpful, that a [This story will be concluded in supervisor with the utility. world without Allen Farr the next issue] had never occurred to me. - Joe DeLeonard

M Y L OVE A FFAIR WITH R ICKWOOD F IELD

By Dan Weinrib ing back, I wish I had. Later that summer I attended my first Rickwood Classic, and I haven’t missed one My parents Mike and Louisa By 2000. I was a rookie high first met on a blind date in school baseball umpire. One since. “Allen Farr epitomized 1957. Their mutual love for Sunday, my local chapter why our organization is baseball led to their own love supervisor was divvying up In 2002, I became the newly for each other. This past June, umpiring assignments. elected Jefferson County Tax named ‘the Friends’.” they celebrated 60 years of Assessor. During my transi- marriage. You can truthfully tion to public office, I met “Who wants Woodlawn ver- say that my own love of base- county attorney Charlie Wag- sus Mountain Brook tomor- ball is genetic. ner and quickly bonded with row?” Owen Butts asked. him over baseball. Either in Another umpire and I eagerly 2003 or 2004, he asked me As long as I can remember, raised our hands. for a favor. baseball has been a part of “It’s at Rickwood.” my life. My favorite memories as a kid are the innumerable “Dan, I’m on the Friends of times I attended Cincinnati Oh, I thought. I went home Rickwood board,” he started. Reds home games with my and Googled “Rickwood “My (teenage) son Kurt and I grandfather, Reuben Herzfeld. Field”. That’s when I first are working the manual out- learned about its rich history. field scoreboard. Will you help Normally on game day, I get us?” The first time I ever heard of to my assignment 30 minutes Rickwood Field was in the before first pitch. On that He did not have to ask twice! summer of 1996. I had just particular Monday, I arrived moved to Birmingham and an hour early. I slowly walked After I had volunteered for was working downtown. A around the outside perimeter scoreboard and other duties colleague left work early to go then the warning track, just to for a couple years, the to the first ever Rickwood soak everything in. I instantly Friends of Rickwood board Classic. Despite being a base- fell in love with the place. It invited me to join them. ball fan, I did not go because definitely is hallowed ground. of pressing job duties. Look- [Continued on page 4] Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1 LOVE AFFAIR

[Continued from page 3] ferences, reunions, and even jousting contests!

I still work that scoreboard every year during the Classic. To this day Rickwood occu- I also launched and still main- pies a special place in my tain FOR’s Facebook page. heart. It is indeed a love af- fair, the only one that my wife Karen has given her approval Rickwood Field is more than to. As a FOR member, I will just America’s oldest profes- continue to do my part to sional baseball park. It is a keep our favorite 109-year-old living tribute to the inter- ballpark going for another twined themes of change and 109 years. continuity here in Birming- ham, as well as throughout Alabama and our country. Dan Weinrib is the city clerk Rickwood also remains a pop- in Tarrant. He joined FOR’s ular venue for our community. board sometime in the mid- 2000s. If he ever wins the Powerball, he plans to buy the Over the years, the ballpark . has hosted concerts, wed- dings, birthday parties, con-

“Rickwood Field is more DID YOU KNOW ? than just America’s oldest park. It is a living tribute to the intertwined themes of change and continuity here in Birmingham, as well as throughout Alabama and our country.”

The Rickwood Classic is the signature annual event for the ballpark, but the ballpark hosts between 160-175 baseball games a year (college, high school, travel ball, and amateur games). Rickwood’s regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you would like to schedule a group tour on the weekend, please contact Clarence Watkins with the Friends of Rick- wood at [email protected] or on Facebook. Rickwood Tales Page 5

2019 WAS M EMORABLE AT R ICKWOOD

America’s Oldest Ballpark had autographs in Rickwood’s Party was held. Back in 2018, a busy 2019. On February 1, conference room. the Tennessee Vintage Base opened its ball Association played an home schedule with a 7-0 win 1865-rules exhibition game at over Morehouse. The Golden Following the Classic, virtually the ballpark. The Association, Bears maintained a tremen- every weekend was filled with which is located in Nashville, dous home field advantage baseball: former Major scheduled a return trip for and finished the season with League player and coach, Ron April 20, but the game was a Rickwood-home record of “Papa Jack” Jackson hosted rained out and rescheduled 12-5. The sound of bats hit- two weekends of instructional for October 26. Unfortunately, ting was heard all camps for urban youth; high the makeup game was can- spring as Rickwood again school “All Star” Travel Teams celled due to heavy rain. hosted Birmingham’s high from all over the state came Hopefully the Association will to Rickwood to play every school baseball teams. make plans to schedule an- available weekend; two week- other vintage game in 2020. ends of American Legion On March 2, The 17th Annual Tournaments brought teams Confer- and families from throughout Despite the rain, Rickwood ence was well-attended at the the Southeast; and, in June, held its Annual Baseball Card ballpark. This year’s theme Jill Vedders, the wife of Pearl Show, which was well attend- was the . Jam front man Eddie Vedders, ed. Local author Bill Plott was toured Rickwood and pur- there to sign his latest book, chased a Ron Santo glove for Black Baseball’s Last Team On May 29, the 23rd annual his man-cave. Clarence Wat- Standing: The Birmingham Rickwood Classic attracted kins later remarked, “You Black Barons, 1919-1962. over 7,000 fans to the vener- never know who is going to able park to see the Barons show up at Rickwood!” play the . The old ballpark has had had The Barons looked sharp in a busy year indeed. their 1910-era throwback October brought the Scott uniforms, but lost to Mont- Green Tournament from New gomery, 9-4. Former big York with adult teams from Happy Holidays from leaguer and manager Lou the entire eastern seaboard; The Friends of Rickwood! Piniella was the special guest Rickwood hosted a bicycle “You never know who is for the Classic and joined U.S. jousting fundraiser for Re- Senator Doug Jones in throw- demption Cycles, which pro- - Rick Woodward, III going to show up at ing out the ceremonial first vides bicycles for needy peo- pitch. Piniella then signed ple; and a Baseball Birthday Rickwood!”

B ECOME A FRIEND OF R ICKWOOD

The Friends of Rickwood is a “Veteran” for a $50 donation 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organiza- (and also gets a patch); and tion, which was formed in (4) Level 4 is a “Gold Glover” 1992, and is dedicated to for a $100 donation (and also preserving America’s Oldest gets a Rickwood shirt). Ballpark. Anyone can become a Friend of Rickwood by mak- To donate, please visit ing a donation to the Friends. https://rickwood.com/donate -to-rickwood-field/ or write us We have four levels of mem- at: bership for individuals and each level will receive a certif- icate, a window sticker, and The Friends of Rickwood 10% off Rickwood merchan- Rickwood Field dise: (1) Level 1 is a “Little 1137 2nd Ave West Leaguer” for a $10 donation; (2) Level 2 is a “Rookie” for a Birmingham, AL 35204 $25 donation; (3) Level 3 is a The Friends of THE RICKWOOD LIBRARY Rickwood Rickwood non-fiction • Allen Barra, Rickwood Field: A Century in America’s Oldest Ballpark (New York: W.W. Norton Rickwood Field & Co., 2010). 1137 2nd Ave W • Ben Cook, Good Wood: A Fan’s History of Rickwood Field (Birmingham, AL: R. Boozer Press, Birmingham, AL 35204 2005). 205-999-5742 • Timothy Whitt, Bases Loaded with History (Birmingham, AL: R. Boozer Press, 1995).

Birmingham Barons, Black Barons, and Rickwood-related books Email: • Allen Barra, Mickey and Willie: Mantle and Mays, the Parallel Lives of Baseball’s Golden Age [email protected] (New York: Crown Archetype, 2013). • Black, Art, Showdown at Rickwood: Ray Caldwell, , and the Early Years of Ameri- ca’s Oldest Ball Park (Birmingham, AL: Blue Rooster Press, 2017). • Bittersweet Goodbye: The Black Barons, the Grays, and the 1948 Negro League World Se- ries, edited by Frederick C. (Rick) Bush and Bill Nowlin (Phoenix, AZ: SABR, 2017). • Larry Colton, Southern League (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2013). • Chris Fullerton Every Other Sunday (Birmingham, AL: R. Boozer Press, 1999). We’re on the Web. • James Hirsch, Willie Mays: The Life, the Legend (New York: Scribner, 2010). • John Klima, Willie’s Boys (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009).

https:// • William J. Plott, The Negro Southern League (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2015). rickwood.com/ • William J. Plott, Black Baseball’s Last Team Standing: The Birmingham Black Barons, 1919- 1962 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2019). • Larry Powell, Black Barons of Birmingham, (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2009). • Rob Trucks, Cup of Coffee: The Very Short Careers of Eighteen Major League Pitchers (New York: Smallmouth Press, 2003). • Clarence Watkins, Baseball in Birmingham (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2010). • Gaylon H. White, Singles and Smiles: How Artie Wilson Broke Baseball’s Color Barrier (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2018).

Compilations • John Pahigian, 101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out (The Lyons Press, 2015) .

Robert and Jenna Santelli, The Baseball Fan’s Bucket List: 162 Things You Must Do, See, • https://www.facebook.com/fri Get, and Experience Before You Die (, PA: Running Press Book Publishers, endsofrickwood/ 2010) • Doug Wedge, Baseball in Alabama: Tales of Hardball in the Heart of Dixie (Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2018).

Reference & League History • Bill O’Neal, The Southern League: Baseball in Dixie, 1885–1994 (Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1994) • Marshall Wright, The Southern Association in Baseball, 1885–1961 (Jefferson, North Caro- lina: McFarland, 2002).

Rickwood-Related Fiction • J. Mark Hart, Fielder’s Choice (Birmingham, AL: Jack of Hearts Publishing, 2017). • Walter Dean Myers, The Journal of Biddy Owens, the Negro Leagues, Birmingham, Alabama (Scholastic, Inc., 2001). • Chuck Stewart, Angels at Rickwood (Circuit Drive Publishing Co., 2009).