ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL VINTAGE BASE BALL TOURNAMENT

The Friends of Warren Ballpark hosted its 8th successful Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball tournament. Many people helped make the tournament a success.

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

Thanks to Richard Hodges, Josh, Bryon, Jesus and Clinton, the school district staff, who devoted their weekend to chalking the field, keeping the restrooms supplied, and doing everything that ensures a smoothly running event.

Support your local radio station KBRP. Ryan Bruce, Marco and Dillan spent two days announcing the games and harassing the players.

What’s a tournament without beer and hotdogs? Thanks to the Barco family for operating the concessions. They provided hotdogs and nachos with good humor for an unexpectedly large crowd. Cheers to the Tombstone Brewing Company for their generosity of time and tasty craft beer. Next time you’re in Tombstone quench your thirst on Toughnut Street, two blocks from the Courthouse.

Special thanks go to Copper Queen Publishing. Each year Lupe designs a poster and program that serve as valued keepsakes. Frank Barco makes sure that we have high-quality banners, posters and tickets.

The arbitrators and tally-masters, in period clothing, ensure that 1860 rules are enforced and runs (aces) are recorded. Each year Pat Kelly, the arbitrator, keeps the teams “in line.” Sharon Frosco, Tom Hill, Bill Bank and Penny Germain kept the players honest tallying the scores when the players “rang the bell” and swore an oath that they scored an ace. Penny even pitched a game. The tournament had some special treats this year. Pat Darcy, a Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher during the days of the Big Red Machine, resumed his pitching career with the Central Arizona All- Stars. The Old Pueblo Trolley brought back Bus #8 of the Warren-Bisbee Bus line after 66 years.

Thanks to Bill Greenberg and the Cholla Blues Standard all-stars and Black Cat Bones for Post-game Blues entertainment at Crazy Ponyz. We are grateful to Elvia’s Kitchen for agreeing at the last minute to provide food for the post-game blues.

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 108-year-old Warren Ballpark, a community gem. As always, we recognize the Bisbee Council on the Arts and Humanities whose sponsorship grants the Friends their nonprofit status.