Old Timers Baseball Celebration

OLD TIMERS, LITERALLY, CELEBRATE BASEBALL

1940s and 50s Minor League Veterans Gather July 20 – July 22

The boys of summer are returning to Peekskill to celebrate minor league baseball in the Hudson Valley.

Beginning on July 20, the three-day event will bring together veteran players of the Peekskill Highlanders, other area teams of the former Class D North Atlantic League and past members from the New York Yankees organization.

League teams, spread across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, included the Kingston Colonials, the Hummingbirds (both from Newburgh and Walden), and the Nyack Rocklands. Returning World War II veterans swelled the rosters from 1946 until televised Major League baseball games kept fans home in the early 50s.

Saturday afternoon brings a player/panel discussion moderated by John Vorperian, host of the local cable show “Beyond the Game” to Peekskill’s Cove Restaurant. Voperian’s fellow Society of American Baseball Research historian, Bob Mayer, will share fascinating facts, figures, and a baseball memorabilia exhibit which will spark great conversations of the game’s gloried past.

Highlights of the second day will be when former Yankees, on and off the field, Marty Appel and Jim Bouton, step up to the mike. Appel, once the teams Public Relations Director, and author of 18 books including just released Pinstripe Empire – A Definitive History of the New York Yankees, began his career with the Bronx Bombers by handling Mickey Mantle’s fan mail.

The dinner’s keynote speaker, Jim Bouton was brought up to the Yankees as a pitcher in 1962 not only wowed from the mound, but with his writing talents as well. Ball Four, his 1969 memoir on behind the scenes pro baseball, upset many with its honest revelations while others hailed its unflinching candidness. Bouton has since authored additional books and continues to be involved with baseball.

On Sunday past, present and future players will come together at a Peekskill Tides (Westchester/Rockland College Wood Bat League) baseball game with local Little League teams will in attendance.

The public is invited to the Saturday and Sunday activities to meet the players, get autographs, and enjoy dinner and Jim Bouton’s speech. Dinner reservations are suggested, and advance ticket sales at $40.00 adult, and $10.00 children under 13 will save $5.00 off the door prices. Other activities are free of charge.

For reservations and more information, contact the Peekskill Museum at (914)736-0473.

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Images are available.

For media interviews, please contact Bob Mayer @ (914) 980-2849