Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for February, 2007

About a year ago, I was just getting started on a proposal for a book about the history of baseball in Fort Wayne. And now – after a summer filled with phone calls, emails and countless of on-line and off-line research – the date of availability is almost here.

It is my sincere hope that the Baseball in Fort Wayne will be recognized as much more than a book or a sport. Baseball in Fort Wayne is a passion that has continually been a favorite pastime in the area that touches base in three different centuries. I also hopeful that my broad stroke look at the game in area can serve as a catalyst for continued (or perhaps renewed) interest, research and support of the various baseball and softball leagues and organizations in the city and northeast Indiana. The history of baseball in Fort Wayne is one that should be celebrated. Whether you are a fan, player, coach or historian; it’s a legacy we can (and should) all share together.

Visit any book retailer or click the image above to order now.

www.baseballinfortwayne.com

I came across an interesting article about Ruth (Kramer) Hartman today. In the Lancaster Times, there is an article titled From Curveballs To Corriedales. It discusses many different facets of the former Fort Wayne Daisies player (of the AAGPBL) – her career, the Hall of Fame and life after baseball . . . and life after that.

Hartman received a call while she was attending college at East Stroudsburg in 1946. She had pitched for a men’s team in downtown Reading when a scout, [another player with Fort Wayne ties] Max Carey, saw her play and contacted her.

Soon after that, she was trying out for the Racine Bells, but had trouble adjusting to the size of the ball. She struggled so much so, it appeared she would be heading home without a roster spot.

Fortunately, the Fort Wayne Daisies were playing the Racine Belles that evening and the Daisies coach picked up on Hartman’s talent and signed her on to the team.

She played with the Daisies for two years and then went on to enjoy a 36-year teaching career that included 16 as a softball coach. In 1992, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame along side many of her other AAGPBL cohorts. She was later brought in to assist with script developmen tof A League of Their Own.

Hartman retired from teaching 15 years ago and joined her granddaughter in developing her 4-H sheep exhibition. Recently she received a silver plate from Australia, and secured the title of “Outstanding Shepherd of the Year” for the Corriedale breed.

[tags]Ruth Kramer Hartman, AAGPBL, A League of Their Own, 4-H[/tags]

Are you looking for infomration about your area Little League? Make sure you take a moment to check out our Leagues page. The Elmhurst Little League was recently added. Thanks to Tonya Harmeyer for providing the info.

If your league is not listed (or incorrectly listed), feel free to use the Contact page to send your info along. We’ll get it posted shortly after receipt,

Former Fort Wayne Wizards player, Corey Koskie, is expected to miss all of Spring Training as the result of post-concussion syndrome, which also sidelined the Brewer’s third baseman for the entire second half of the 2006 season.

“The good news is that he continues to improve,” said assistant general manager Gord Ash. “The troubling news is he hasn’t improved enough to get on the field yet.” [source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

Last week, Koskie traveled to the University of Buffalo, which has a program to help recovering hockey players who have experienced concussions. He was injured while chasing a pop fly and tumbling to the groung during a game just before the 2006 all-star break.

The 33 year-old Koskie, joined the Fort Wayne Wizards in 1995 as a 26th round draft selection of the Minnesota Twins. After playing several seasons with the Twins, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2005 seasonbefore being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. While in Fort Wayne, he appeared in 123 games; posting a .310 batting average, 143 hits, 78 runs batted in and 16 home runs.

Corey Koskie appears on page 108 of Baseball in Fort Wayne, which is available February 26th from Arcadia Publishing. (Photograph courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards)

[tags]Fort Wayne Wizards, Corey Koskie, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Midwest League[/tags]

The Twins only remaining arbitration-eligible player, outfielder Michael Cuddyer, agreed to a one-year deal on Thursday. The one-year is for $3.575 million, with a $50,000 bonus if Cuddyer sees 650 or more plate appearances in 2007.

Cuddyer, 27, obtained career highs in every offensive category last season; batting .284 with 41 doubles, 24 home runs, 109 runs batted in and scored 102 runs over 150 games. He became the 18th player in franchise history to score 100 or more runs and drive in over 100 runs in the same season.

Michael Cuddyer was a first round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins in 1997, going ninth overall. As a Wizards player in 1998, he compiled batted .276 with 82 runs and slugged a team best 12 home runs. He had 81 RBI’s and swiped 16 bases.

Baseball America declared him the Twins top prospect and he represented the Wizards at the Midwest League All-Star Game that year. Cuddyer is featured on page 59 of Baseball in Fort Wayne – which is on sale Feb. 26th, 2007. (Photograph courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards)

[tags]Wizards, Michael Cuddyer, Baseball America, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Midwest League[/tags]