Last Updated: 2/6/17
History
The Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League was founded on January
6, 1939 -- by 14 members of the New York Yankee's farm system --
who lived in St. Paul and wanted to keep their interest in
baseball alive during the off season. They held their meetings at
the Nickel Joint on Blair Avenue in St. Paul -- and the club
still meets there today!
Today the St. Paul Old Timers has many members. In addition to
meeting regularly to mingle with good friends and enjoy lively
discussion on America's pasttime, the group is involved in
charitable endeavors and other activities involving the game.
Meeting Dates & Locations
The Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League meets on the third
Wednesday of each month, from September through May. (While no
official meetings are held in June, July, and August, other
events and activities take place -- see below.) As noted above,
meetings are conducted at the Nickel Joint in St. Paul, with
batting practice (social hour) beginning at 6:15; the general
membership meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Of course, food and
refreshments are available!
| Dates: 3rd Wednesday of each month; September through May |
Location: The Nickel Joint (Google Map) 501 W Blair Avenue (at MacKubin), St. Paul, MN 55103 651-489-9858 |
Time: Batting Practice: 6:15 pm (social hour) Team Game Time: 7:00 pm |
Annual Banquet
Each year,
the Baseball Old Timers gather together with other baseball
friends and fans at the Annual Banquet -- to celebrate the great
game of baseball, as well as the relationships to which it has
led. It's truly
"Where Old Friends Meet!" Big league stars of today and
yesteryear are present, as well as sports celebrities of the Twin
Cities. This events serves as a fundraiser for the organization.
The monumental 77th annual (WOW!) banquet was held at the Envision Event Center (formerly the Prom Center) in Oakdale on Monday, January 23, 2017. (Batting practice began at 5:30 pm, with the dinner and program starting at 7 pm.) Featured guests included, from the Minnesota Twins, players Trevor May and Byron Buxton, front-office staff Thad Levine (Sr VP & GM), Dave St. Peter (President), Jim Rantz (retired Director of Minor Leagues), and Kris Atteberry (Twins radio Host), who emceed the event. Additional head table guests included John Anderson of the Minnesota Gophers and Dave Lee of WCCO radio, along with Chaplain Greg Skrypek. This year's honored Older Timer, Pat Bowlin, received special recognition. In addition, the 2016 4th District American Legion MVP (Ryan Nickel of Tri-City Red) was honored with the Klark-Killen Memorial Award, presented by Dave Lee. As always, it was a GREAT time!
*Note: The Banquet Program includes a listing of Officers & Directors, Honored Old Timers, Yearly Klark-Killen Memorial Award winners, as well a list of members who are gone from this earth, but who are certainly not forgotten -- so it is well worth viewing and printing!!! (Banquet programs from 2012 and 2013 are not available at this time.)
Annual Benefit Baseball Game
2016 marked the
49th year that the Old Timers have donated financial support to Our Lady of Peace Home in St. Paul (formerly known as Our Lady of Good Counsel
Home), which provides end-of-life care for individuals who have
limited financial resources. And, since 1987, in August of each
year, the Old Timers have come together on the field -- to raise
funds for this worthy facility -- through a benefit baseball
game. This year's event was held as follows:
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Toni Stone Field (Dunning Sports Complex)
1221 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104
Game Time: 1:05 p.m.
(Batting Practice begins at 11:30 a.m.)
Pre-event Practice Sessions:
Tuesday, August 2nd
Tuesday, August 9th
Thursday, August 11th
6:00-7:30 p.m., Cretin Derham Hall Baseball Field
(Thanks to Snap Leitner and Jim O'Neil!)
2017's game is tentatively scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 8th at CHS Field.
Check back for final info!The St. Paul Old Timers chose sides and squared off in the name of great fun for a great cause -- Old Timers against the St. Paul Pastimers. Raffle tickets were sold (for only $1.00!!!) and several attendees went home with a great cash prize. Refreshments and lunch were enjoyed after the game -- at the Nickel Joint, 501 Blair Avenue in St. Paul (Google Map) -- with attendees bringing side dishes to share.
A great time was had by all, so make plans to attend this year, when the date is announced! Come on out to watch the older generation (semi-pro and former scholastic ball players) play ball in a relaxing outdoor environment -- all to benefit a very worthy facility!
Please remember that if you cannot make the actual ballgame in any given year, monetary donations are always accepted and very much appreciated! For more information about this wonderful event, please see 2011's event flyer. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please contact the Old Timers.
Other Events & Info
In addition to meetings and the above events, members enjoy
taking in Twins and other local games as a group, as well as an
annual golf outing (usually the last Monday in June.) Other
special events may take place, as suggested and planned.
Future Event Info |
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| 2017 Twins Outing (Contact the Old Timers for information.) Date: Wednesday, July 5th (vs. Kansas City Royals) Expected Cost: $28 + $6 for the bus (Bus usually leaves Nickel Joint by 6 pm) |
2017 Golf
Outing (Date and place TBA) Information contact: Gary Reierson at 651-452-4963 or by email. (Cost TBA) |
2017
Saints Game Outing (Under consideration; date TBA). 2017 Gopher Game Outing Date TBA Contact Gary Reierson at 651-452-4963 or by email. (Cost expected to be $5 for Gopher Game, if 20 or more register.) |
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Special Events / Info:
FEATURED BOOK:
The Best of River-Town Small-Ball
by Doug Nachbar
Author, Doug Nachbar, was on hand at the December 2016 meeting to discuss his book, "The Best of River-Town Small-Ball." In it, Jim Stoll (Arlington A's, Marble Mallards) and 9 other legends of the Minnesota River Valley Lower Basin are featured / profiled, including Jordan's NBA Hall-of-Famer, Jim Pollard, Belle Plaine's Jim Harsh, Prior Lake's Pat Devitt, Lonsdale's Jim Kubes, and John Freund, who played for LeSueur, Glencoe, and Shakopee. Per Nachbar, baseball was king during this Golden Age of the game, and the princes of the diamond which he profiles are the reason why.
For information on obtaining a copy of the book:
Doug Nachbar, 952-393-7470, MidasTales@aol.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RiverTownSmallBall/?fref=ts
How Do I Join this Superb
Organization?
The only
requirement for membership in the Baseball Old Timers is having
some kind of a connection to baseball, as well as a love for the
game -- AND an interest in spending great time with good friends,
who also enjoy the great American game! You must also be at least
21 year of age.
If you are not a member, you should be, if you --
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For new members, there is an $8.00 initiation fee. Membership is then $15.00 annually (what a deal !!!!!)... and joining is a simple process!
1. Print this membership application form, fill it out, and follow the instructions on the form. OR
2. Call Rudy Jannetto at 651-379-2325 for further information -- or if you have any questions regarding membership, OR
3. Send us an an e-mail with your questions, and we will promptly respond with needed information.
The Baseball Old Timers welcome your interest in our organization!
Thank you for visiting this web
site!
Gail Kalata, Web Site
Designer
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