POSTPONED

With regret, the Friends of Warren Ballpark Board has voted to postpone the April 2021 Vintage Base Ball tournament to November 13, 2021. After cancelling the 2020 tournament due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board had hoped to host a Vintage Base Ball tournament in April of 2021. After careful consideration, the Friends of Warren Ballpark Board concluded that given the surge in Covid-19 cases and the uncertainty of widespread vaccinations by April, it is in the best interest of the public, players and volunteers to postpone the tournament.

We are hoping to co-host some exhibition baseball games on the 4th of July with the Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless.

SAVE THE DATE!

11th Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament-Warren Ballpark, Bisbee, Arizona, April 4th and 5th, 2020

The Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament returns for its 11th year on April 4th and 5th, 2020 at Warren Ballpark. The Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League and the Friends of Warren Ballpark host the tournament. Teams are dressed in period uniforms and play by rules adopted when Lincoln was president. Come cheer or razz the local team, the Bisbee Black Sox.

April 4th and 5th, 2020, Gates open at 9:00 a.m. and games are played all day.

  • Tickets: $15 for both days; $10 for one day
  • Kids 12 and under are free with an adult ticket. Active military are free on Sunday
  • Tombstone Brewing Company will serve local craft beer

The Friends of Warren Ballpark is sponsored by the Bisbee Council on the Arts and Humanities, a non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible. Call 520 366-1455 for more info.

10th Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament

The Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament returns for its 10th year on April 6th and 7th, 2019 at Warren Ballpark. The Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League and the Friends of Warren Ballpark host the tournament. Teams are dressed in period uniforms and play by rules adopted when Lincoln was president. Come cheer or razz the local team, the Bisbee Black Sox.

This year the tournament commemorates the Black Sox players who were kicked out of baseball for fixing the 1919 World Series. Several players played on teams that appeared at Warren Ballpark.

April 6th and 7th, 2019, Gates open at 9:00 a.m. and games are played all day.

Tickets: $15 for both days; $10 for one day.

Kids 12 and under are free with an adult ticket. Active military are free on Sunday.

Tombstone Brewery Company is invited to serve local craft beer.

The photo depicts the 1927 Bisbee Outlaw Team that played at Warren Ballpark

Vintage Base Ball Event Honors Bisbee’s Forgotten Black Teams

More than a century has passed since Thomas “Blue” Webster and Roy Jones put on cleats and took the field at Bisbee’s Warren Ballpark, but they and their African American teammates will be remembered for their contributions to local baseball history during this year’s Ninth Annual Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament, scheduled for April 7 and 8.

Nine teams, dressed in period uniforms and playing the game of base ball as it existed when Abraham Lincoln first ran for president, will take part in the event at Bisbee’s 108-year-old ballpark. This year’s two-day tournament will commemorate early Bisbee’s black town teams, the “Buffalo Soldiers” teams of the 10th U.S. Cavalry and 25th U.S. Infantry Regiments that played in Bisbee, as well as the men who broke professional baseball’s color barrier as members of the Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings minor league ball club at Warren Ballpark during the 1951 season.

Gates open at 9 a.m. both days. Tournament action gets underway at 9:30 a.m. and will continue through early evening. This year’s tournament, featuring eight teams from the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League and a travelling team from the Colorado Vintage Base Ball league, will include night games – a first for the event.

Vintage base ball is played without gloves, using an 1870-style lemon peel ball. Similar to modern baseball, the game also has some archaic rules that make it fun to watch and to play.

The tournament is hosted by the Friends of Warren Ballpark, a non-profit organization tasked with raising funds to renovate and improve the Bisbee Unified School District’s historic baseball and football facility. All proceeds from the event will go towards projects to upgrade Warren Ballpark, which was constructed in 1909 and has been in continuous use since.

Tickets for a single day cost $10. A two-day ticket costs $15. Children 12 years and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased on line on the tickets page or at the gate on April 7 and 8.

December 9th, Rugby Returns to Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, Arizona

December 9th, Rugby Returns to Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, Arizona

In 2016, after a 100-year absence, the Friends of Warren ballpark hosted a day of rugby matches at Warren Ballpark. The teams are returning on December 9th to play Rugby once again. Mark your calendar to celebrate another facet of Warren Ballpark’s storied history.

The tournament is dedicated to James J. Murphy from Bisbee. S1C Murphy and 1176 of his shipmates were killed when the Arizona’s forward magazines were penetrated by a Japanese aerial bomb at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.

  • December 9th, 2017 (gates opening time TBA)
  • Entry fee: $5 per day
  • All funds go to preserve and enhance the 108-year-old historic Warren Ballpark. Recent Friends projects include new restrooms and a multi-sport scoreboard.
  • The Tombstone Brewing Company will be on hand to serve local craft beer.

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.

BALLPARK GROUP HONORS TRIO of BISBEE BEES AT FUNDRSAISING VINTAGE TOURNAMENT

April 8 and 9, during the Eighth Annual Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament at historic Warren Ballpark in Bisbee. Gates open 9:00 a.m.

Bisbee was in the same league as Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso and Albuquerque?

Yes indeed, it’s hard to imagine that the old copper mining town of Bisbee, AZ had a professional baseball team in the same league as the biggest cities in the southwest, but it’s true! Not only did the Bisbee Bees minor league team of the old Arizona-Texas League successfully compete with teams from cities much larger, it also sent a steady stream of players to the big leagues!

Join the Friends of Warren Ballpark as they honor a trio of stinging Bees – Dwight “Red” Adams, Bert Shepard and Clarence Maddern – who each made their way up the professional baseball ladder to play in the Big Show.

Red Adams began his exemplary baseball career in 1939 as a 17-year-old pitcher for Bisbee and remained in the game for 41 years, finishing as the beloved and well-respected pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Red also holds a place in the record books as the oldest living member of a Chicago Cubs baseball team (1946).

Bert Shepard pitched for the Bees in 1941 and returned home in 1945 from wartime service as an Army Air Forces fighter pilot and captivity in a German POW camp to earn a place in baseball history as the only man to pitch in a major league baseball game on an artificial leg. More importantly, “Shep” served as the inspiration for the many thousands of badly-wounded American World War II veterans who faced an uncertain postwar future.

Clarence Maddern, Bisbee’s hometown hero, starred for the Bees as an outfielder in 1940 and 1941. After service in World War II he resumed his career in baseball, playing for the Chicago Cubs, the Cleveland Indians and several teams in the old Pacific Coast League. Clarence remains the only native-born Bisbee man to make his way up to The Big Show!

This year’s fundraising invitational vintage base ball tournament will feature teams from the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League, wearing period uniforms and playing bare-handed base ball according to the rules of the game in use back in 1860!

Two former big league pitchers – James “Mudcat” Grant and Pat Darcy – will also be attending the event at Warren Ballpark to sign autographs and chat with the fans.

Tickets for the fundraising event may be purchased at the gate or online. ($15 for both days, $10 for one day, ages 12 and under free with adult ticket) Proceeds of the tournament will be used to pay for future renovations and improvements at the Bisbee Unified School District’s 108-year-old multi-sports facility in the Warren Neighborhood. For more information, contact Judy Anderson at 520-366-1455 or check out our Facebook page.

Rugby Returns to Bisbee



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

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

7th Annual Copper Classic News

“BUTTON” SALMON and “PRINCE HAL” CHASE TO BE HONORED AT BISBEE VINTAGE BASE BALL TOURNAMENT APRIL 16-17

On Saturday and Sunday April 16 and 17, 2016 at Historic Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, join the Arizona Territories Vintage Base Ball League as it honors the man who gave the University of Arizona its legendary slogan “Bear Down.”

The inspiring life story of U of A student body president and athlete John “Button” Salmon, Bisbee High School class of 1921, will be celebrated during the 7th Annual Copper City Classic Vintage base Ball Tournament held at historic Warren Ballpark in Bisbee.

Although best known as a football player for the Arizona Wildcats during the 1920s, “Button” Salmon was also a star catcher for the U of A varsity baseball team and played at Warren Ballpark for Bisbee on its “outlaw league” team during the summer of 1926.

Fatally injured in a traffic accident at the beginning of the 1926 college football season, Salmon urged his teammates to “Bear Down” in a final message.

Members of Button Salmon’s family will be on hand to honor his memory, as will be University of Arizona Vice President for Athletics Greg Byrne.

Also to be honored is Hal Chase, considered to be the finest first baseman in major league baseball ball during the early 20th century. “Prince Hal” first appeared at Warren Ballpark in November 1913, as a member of John McGraw’s New York Giants, traveling across the country and around the globe during the historic 1913-1914 World Tour by the Giants and Chicago White Sox. He returned to Warren Ballpark on numerous occasions as an outlaw league player and manager during the 1920s.

Hal Chase III and Pat “Guitar Slim” Chase, grandsons of Hal Chase, and other members of the Chase family will be in attendance during the tournament. They will discuss their grandfather’s storied baseball career during our Saturday night musical event.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday April 16 and 17, 2016 at the Historic Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, Arizona. Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. on both days. Games will be played all day. Watch teams play by 1860 rules in old-time uniforms by rules in effect when Abraham Lincoln was president. Cheer for the local team, the Bisbee Black Sox.

Cost: Two-day ticket: $15 / One-day ticket: $10 / Ages 12 and under free with adult ticket

U of A students, employees of the U of A and members of the U of A Alumni Association will receive a $3 discount on any tickets purchased and will also receive a 50 percent discount on the first craft beer purchased at our concession stand.

Added attraction: 6:30 P.M. Saturday Night Post Game Blues at the Stock Exchange Saloon and Grill: James T. “Mudcat” Grant, major baseball pitching ace and noted blues singer, will return to Warren Ballpark to sign autographs and meet fans during the tournament. Mudcat will be joined by the Cholla High School Blues Standard, Pat ‘Guitar Slim’ Chase, Arizona Blues Legend Hans Olson and noted Tucson Blues performers the Garcia Brothers.

The Copper City Classic Vintage Base Ball Tournament is an annual event held by the Friends of Warren Ballpark to generate funds for maintaining and renovating the Bisbee Unified School District’s historic 107-year-old multi-sport athletic facility.