Today is the day in which most major league baseball teams open their regular seasons, so let’s take a look at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the organization which sponsored the Bradley Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth, and American Legion baseball teams in 1957.
The following article is reprinted from the Lafayette County Democrat, with permission.
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“BRADLEY MAKES PLANS FOR SEVERAL BASEBALL TEAMS TO PLAY THIS SUMMER
The Board of Directors met on Monday, February 11, 1957 at one p. m. at Hamner Implement Company for the purpose of preparing for the coming baseball season, which will include the Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball clubs.
The appointed officers and their duties are as follows: Commissioner, Ralph Hamner; President H. M. Burks; V. Pres, Odell Clary; Sec-Treas., John Coker; Umpire Controller J. W. Camp.
Plate Umpires: Gerald Walding, Marvin McCalman, Billy Barker.
Base Umpires: Herbert Collier, Madison Drake, Jack Jones, Harry Bussey.
Transportation Officers: Odell Clary, Herman Barnett.
Bus Drivers: Herbert Collier, Clyde Jackson.
Entertainment: Thomas Williams, Herman Barnett, J. W. Camp.
Police and Traffic: Glendon Barnett, Pat Coker, L. G. Middlebrooks, Hulon Mitchell, Madison Drake, James Wilson, Carl Baker.
Food Concessions: Mrs. John Coker, Mrs. Ralph Hamner, Mrs. L. G. Middlebrooks, Mrs. Lewis Whisenhunt, Mrs. Herman Barnett, Mrs. Thomas Williams.
Drinks: Ralph Hamner, Hulon Mitchell, Ralph Hamner, Jr., Buck Williams, Merle Gore.
Repairs: Odell Clary, James Wilson, L. G. Middlebrooks, Madison Drake, Marvin McCalman, Clyde Jackson, John Coker.
Grounds: Thomas Williams, Glendon Barnett, Pat Coker, Jack Jones, Herman Barnett, J. W. Camp, Billy Barker.
School Property: H. M. Burks, E. V. Powell, Entire Ground Crew.
Board of Directors: Ralph Hamner, Thomas Williams, Glendon Barnett, Pat Coker, Jack Jones, Herman Barnett, James Wilson, L. G. Middlebrooks, Horace Burks, John Coker, E. V. Powell, Madison Drake, J. W. Camp, Odell Clary, Harry Bussey, Carl Baker, Lewis Whisenhunt, Hulon Mitchell, Billy Barker, Gerald Walding, Herbert Collier.
At this meeting it was also decided to improve the playing field by leveling the grounds, installing more lights, repairing the bleachers, concession stand, fences, and the property South of the ball field, when leveled and drained will provide a new entrance to the field. A heavy wire fence will be built along both base lines to protect the spectators.
The Ground Committee voted to bring the following implements to work the grounds. Plows: Ralph Hamner, Thomas Williams, and Jack Jones; Land Levelers: Ralph Hamner and Glendon Barnett; Disk Harrows: Ralph Hamner, Lewis Whisenhunt, Horace Burks and Pat Coker.
All Board Members agreed to wear ball caps as to Mr. Hamner’s suggestion.
During 1956 a total of 66 boys participated in the program. In 1957 a total of 100 is expected to participate.
Respectfully Submitted, John R. Coker, Secretary-Treasurer; Merle Gore, Reporter.”
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