Thanks for a Successful Vintage Base Ball Tournament

The home team, the Bisbee Black Sox, won all three of their games and the Friends of Warren Ballpark hosted our most successful Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball tournament yet. Many people helped make the tournament a success.

Thanks to the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League teams that travel from Phoenix and Tucson to play with the local Bisbee Black Sox. The Colorado All-Stars brought their colorful uniforms and showmanship to entertain the cranks (fans in 1860 parlance).

Thanks to Cory Giacoletti and John Stewart, the school district staff who devoted their weekend to working at the tournament. With the support of BHS Principal Laura Miller, the art students created a fine-looking sign welcoming the families of tournament honorees, Hal Chase and Button Salmon.

Support your local radio station KBRP. They spent two days announcing, entertaining the cranks and harassing the players.

The Sierra Vista Ragtime Band added authenticity to the event with their old-timey Oom-pah music.

The new restrooms, painted in Puma colors, red and grey, were unveiled. Thanks to Munsey Construction for completing the project before the tournament, architect Al Hopper for his design and help throughout the process and to Richard Hodges, BUSD Maintenance & Transportation Supervisor.

What’s a tournament without beer and hotdogs? Thanks to the Barco family for operating the concession stand, providing supplies and Barco Ice. They provided hotdogs and nachos with good humor for an unexpectedly large crowd. Cheers, to Beast Brewery for their generosity of time and tasty craft beer. Visit the Brewery in San Jose Plaza on Highway 92.

The arbitrators and tally-masters in period clothing ensure that 1860 rules are enforced and runs (Aces) are recorded. Thanks to Jeff McRoberts and Pat Kelly for keeping the teams “in line” as arbitrators. Thanks to Francine and Randy Powers from Bisbee Historic Tours, Penny and Dan Germain and Dave Cory for ensuring players “ring the bell” as required for an ace to count.

Kudos to Tom Nelson for pulling together a rousing Post-game Blues show at the Stock Exchange, despite several last minute changes. El Paso musician, grandson of Hal Chase, Pat “Guitar Slim” Chase was an added attraction.

Thanks to the many volunteers, too numerous to list for devoting your time. We are grateful to our many sponsors who help defray costs for this non-profit fundraiser. All proceeds go to projects that help maintain and enhance the 107-year-old Warren Ballpark, a community gem. As always we recognize the Bisbee Council on the Arts and Humanities. Without their ongoing sponsorship, the Friends wouldn’t exist.

If anyone was missed, send an email to [email protected]. You’ll be acknowledged on the Friends’ Facebook page.

Sincerely: The Friends of Warren Ballpark Board: Judy Anderson, Frank Barco, Dan Frey, Carol Loy, Tom Nelson, Rebecca Orozco, and Christine Rhodes