Thanks from the Friends of Warren Ballpark!

The 6th Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament played at Bisbee’s historic Warren Ballpark, is now history. Saturday was lots of fun thanks to our volunteers, teams, vendors and cranks (fans). An enthusiastic huzzah is shouted out to the five teams from the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League; your local team the Bisbee Black Sox won both games they played. The Colorado All-Stars again entertained the crowds with their colorful uniforms and superb showmanship. Sadly Sunday was rained out. 

KBRP, Bisbee’s local radio station announced the tournament. Their rapport with the players added a great deal of interest and fun. Support KBRP in all they do for this community.

The Bisbee school district staff made sure that the tournament ran smoothly: they got up early on a weekend to open the gates, clean the stands and supply the bathrooms. Thanks to Richard Hodges and his crew, Richard Moots, Cory Giacoletti, Victor Vega, and Teri Armstrong. We couldn’t run the tournament without them. 

Honoree Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, a 1954 Bisbee Grad and star Bisbee baseball player threw out a first pitch. Mike Frosco, Bisbee High School Baseball Coach, Acting Chief Albert Echave and Staff Sergeant Robert Coronado from the Bisbee Police Department along with Commander Ken Bradshaw of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, escorted Sheriff Dupnik onto the field in honor of his years of public service. 

Saturday night’s Post-Game Blues was a rousing success, packing the Stock Exchange Saloon and Grill. Our dear friend, major league pitcher and renowned blues musician, Mudcat Grant sang with the young musicians from the Cholla High School Blues Standard and later with Bill Greenberg and his group Eric Garcia, Dave Clark and Steve Goetz; Mudcat named the band the Larry Doby, Lacoochee Blues Band. 

A tip of our baseball caps goes to our volunteers who provided security, took photos, sold tickets, beer, food and merchandise. Our many sponsors helped defray the expenses of the tournament: Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold, Wick Communications, Morning’s Restaurant, Grand Hotel, Café Roka, Bisbee Royale, Barco Ice, W. R. Ryan Company, Red Shoes Hair Salon, Bisbee Bug, Acacia Art and Antiques, High Desert Market, B & D Hardware, Suby Construction, Beast Brewery, Bisbee Observer, Copper Queen Publishing and Copper Queen Hotel. We also thank our sponsoring organization, the Bisbee Council on the Arts and Humanities. Please support these local enterprises. 

This letter would be much longer if all who volunteered were named but thank you so much. The money raised will fund our next project, construction of modern public restrooms. The Friends have now raised 65% of the estimated $102,000 needed to construct restrooms and are approved for a Federal Rural Development Grant to pay for the remaining cost. If you are interested in joining the Friends or donating call 520 432-3813