First KOM League Flash Report for 2020 ---------------- 1948 Ponca City autographed ball

KOM League

Flash Report

Entering 27th Year

January 1, 2020

 

 

This report is a “pieced” together effort that covers the past three weeks when nothing was shared. The issue is a bit like a puzzle and can be viewed by clicking on this link: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/49287415601/

 

Believe it or not this issue is the initial communication of the 27th year something has been shared, by this source, regarding the KOM league. Obviously, the well has about gone dry so don’t expect another 27 years of material. In fact, I’m not real sure this publication will survive the year 2020. I know 20/20 vision left me long before the effort to write of the KOM league commenced. The only way this publication will last is if someone likes it and that can only be determined by the responses these reports generate.

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Another contact with Bill Bagwell of the 1948 Independence Yankees

 

This source spoke with Bill Bagwell (Independence Yankees—1948) on his birthday and he said “Everyday was a blessing, every meal a banquet and I do what I want.” He reported that what he liked doing was fishing, checking up on his old buddies and building boat docks for his neighbors.

 

Keeping up with his old buddies is getting scare since he only has Frank Hungerford and Ray Haley left on his calling list. Others are still living but they don’t communicate anymore.

 

There was a call from an opponent of Bagwell, from 1948, and he inquired as to whether Bagwell was still around. Unfortunately, he missed a reference to Bagwell in a recent Flash Report, not unlike a whole bunch of other readers. So, for those who missed it the first time around here is a great video carried on Shreveport, Louisiana television earlier this year. www.google.com/search?q=bill+bagwell+homer%2C+louisiana&a...

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Update on a member of the 1949 Independence Yankees

 

Yours truly received a Christmas card from Kenny Bennett a member of the 1949 Independence Yankee pitching staff. He is in a St. Louis, Mo. area nursing home.

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Companion baseball—1948 Ponca City Dodgers.

 

In a recent Flash Report a baseball, owned by Shannon Deniston, was featured. It contained the names of the members for the 1948 KOM League All-star team.

 

When entering one of my baseball storage places a ball rolled off the shelf containing the names of some of the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers. On the ball are: Dick McCoy, Gene Rogers, Joe Tufteland, Dale Copps, Leon Irwin, Ewing Turner (now in a Phoenix Nursing Home), Joe Beran, Bob Casey, Don Hall, Dale Hendricks, Boyd Bartley, Alex Muirhead, Gene Castiglione, Ray Scherschlight, Bill Delich, John Hall, Dick Spady and Edward Lefty Grove,

 

Those in the All-Star game were; Castiglione, Turner, Scherschligt, J. Hall, Dick Spady, Grove, Rogers, Delich, Casey, Beran, Muirhead, Irwin and Bartley.

 

Those who were on the team, mostly early in the season, who aren’t on the baseball or played in the All-Star game are;. Jim Carney, Bill DeGeer, Al Endriss, Robert Fiser, Donald Fleisch, Cecil Gregory, John Knott, William Korte, Tom Kubat, William Morris, Ralph Norris, William Olsson, Dane Petit, Joe Tufteland, Gale Wade, Ray John Wilson and Claude Wurman. Of all the names listed for the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers only Ray John Wilson, from Denver, was never located.

 

Hershel Leon Irwin—1948 Ponca City Dodger

 

During the month of December, after locating a 1948 Ponca City Dodgers baseball, I decided to check on Leon Irwin. In our conversation some things were learned that I didn’t find out when I first met Leon, in 1995, at a reunion of former Ponca City Dodgers.

 

His parents married in 1927 and they were natives of Stuart and Hughes, Okla. respectively.

 

Leon’s mother was picking cotton near Verden, Oklahoma the day he was born and was taken to hospital at Chickasha where he first saw the light of day. Shortly afterward the family moved to Waco, Texas. Then they moved to Tulare, California by 1930. He attended Tulare Union High School and graduated in 1947 a couple of years ahead Bob Mathias who became a household name due to his feats in the Olympic decathlon. www.google.com/search?q=bob+mathias&oq=Bob+Matthias&a... In 1948 when Leon was with Ponca City his high school friend was winning the first of his two Olympic gold medals in the decathlon.

 

Leon Attended St. Mary’s College and broke in with the Asheville Tourists of the Tri-State league in 1947 with the likes of other Dodgers hopefuls Billy DeMars, Clem Labine and Jim Roman. In 1949 he was with the Danville, Ill. Dodgers where he played for Lou Rochelli and had teammates such as Walt Moryn and Johnny Rutherford who went on to the big leagues.

Of all the teammates Leon ever had Mathias was the most famous.

 

Leon joined the United States Marines, in 1950, and was at the battle of Pusan where he was injured by enemy machine gun fire. He later returned to action.

 

He spent 1951 in Pearl Harbor Hawaii playing service baseball. Returning home he attended Fresno State and got a degree in physical education. Spent most of his career teaching and coaching at Hanford, California High School.

 

In our conversation Irwin recalled everything about his Ponca City teammates including’ the name, hometown, position and whether the player was right or lefthanded. He even claimed to remember me by saying “Ponca City wasn’t that long ago.” In that case he was in error but had the correct name for John Hall who was born at Cartoga, Costa Rica and pitched for that 1948 Ponca City team. Leon thought I was that John Hall but he passed away in Sarasota, Florida on 8/24/2018.

 

Here is an offer that most will refuse. If anyone would like to have the background information regarding every member of the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers, send along a SASE, along with several shekels, frankincense or myrrh and the data will be wrapped in swaddling clothes and sent your way, sooner or later by one of the wise-men. The question is—how many people even know what a SASE is?

 

To generate a little interest one member of the 1948 Ponca City team played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers. He is in numerous halls of fame and even played amateur baseball in Western Canada after his KOM League days. How many readers know the person that is being referenced? Send along your answer to be in the running to win absolutely nothing other than recognition for being a trivia junkie. If you want to know the answer and would like to see an article about this fellow, someday, you can make that request for the ridiculous sum of $0.00.

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Potpourri of comments

 

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December Greetings John,

 

I have just now been able to get to the recent Flash Report and very much enjoyed reading about the folks who signed the ball (1948 KOM league all-stars) and those who missed out on that opportunity. Fun Stuff!

 

Thank you so much for providing this report which I’ll share with Shan (Deniston) in the days before Christmas when we return to Lakeside for our monthly visit. I have no doubt that he will enjoy it and have his own recollections of the players which I will try to capture.

 

Keep those wildlife and kiddo pictures coming. Best wishes to you and yours for the Holidays,

Tom Ashcraft--Tucson, Ariz.

 

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Happy Holidays everybody. Loved this issue, John. Elaine Brooks from the San Francisco Bay area.

 

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Excellent report, John! Found the trail of Robert Montgomery pretty darn interesting! Also, the condition of the signed all-star ball is amazing! What a treasure!

Thank you!--CORD COSLOR -- Port Charlotte, FL

 

Reply:

 

I found one yesterday that happened to roll out of my collection which was a signed ball of the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers. I'm sure it wasn't signed at the all-star game.

 

*****

Thanks for the interesting stories. I enjoyed the history of the players in the All star game. Also the part about the ladies having the crush on the player. Thanks for the effort and sharing the history. BRUCE HAYSE Tallahassee, Florida

 

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The photo of the five names on the signed baseball from the 1948 KOM league All-Star game.

Thanks. Got it, thanks! Got it. Here you go. Jim Jay-former Kansas City A’s batboy.

 

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I want you to know I do read the report. If I see something that Harry might like I read it to him. We do the best we can at this age. We eat out twice a day just to get out of the house. Think of you and Noel often. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy New year. Love to all. Pat Crandall--Denver, Colo.

 

A note to Judith Jordan—“This is an e-mail I just received from the Crandall’s. Harry played for your dad on that 1950 championship team.”

 

Judith’s reply –“That's awesome! Merry Christmas to you too! I know you do. I just loved and where very close to my parents. Never thought about not being able to ask question when they where here. Hindsight is amazing.” Judith Jordan—daughter of the late Boyd Bartley.

 

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Belated Happy 80th birthday! That is a special one for sure. Hope you and family, friends did some serious celebrating! I will hit 85 in June. Jim will be 89 in January.

 

I am so ready for spring and some warm walking weather. I love to walk and go to the fitness center but not the same as being outdoors. Our holidays are kind of laid back. Not having children makes holidays less exciting. However the nieces and nephews make up for it. My shingles are still hanging on. Started on Sep 10 and pain doesn't want to leave. But as the saying goes "it is what it is" Jim watches lots of basketball and football and glad he finds it interesting. My niece found the book you wrote Majoring in the Minors on Ebay. She got it for Jim and it is

different than the one he has. I think maybe it is your first publication.

 

Well, i have rattled on long enough. If you hear any news of Bill Virdon please share. Marge Qualls.

 

Reply:

 

That second book you got was the hard copy which was the much revised second edition.

Sorry that your shingles are still hanging on. Still don’t hear anything from the Virdons.

 

Tell Jim to keep watching all those ballgames. He might need to make a comeback.

 

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John, Thanks and have a great holiday season! I hope you were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. R. Jason Wallace –Grandson of the late Matthew Leroy Robert Saban

 

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Many thanks for your reports and pictures John. I'd like to wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hank Chott—1950 Iola, Kans. Indians He was born in Chicago and now sends messages from his home in Glendora, Calif.

 

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Thank you John for the final FR of 2019. I really enjoyed looking at all the baseball cards. Hope to hear from you in 2020. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New. Don Papst-Chanute, Kans.

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Obituary of Bobby Ramsey—1950 Independence Yankee

www.tnfunerals.com/obituary/bobby-ramsey-sr

 

Mr. Bobby Lamontte Ramsey, Sr., age 88, a resident of Spring Hill, (Tenn.) passed away Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Williamson Medical Center.

 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 2 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Rick Points officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

Born on February 18, 1931 in Ooltewah, Tennessee, Bobby was the son of the late Willie Mae Ramsey and the late Eston E. & Claudia Ramsey. He graduated from Ooltewah High School and attended Tennessee Tech University. He served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Bobby enjoyed raising cattle while working as a maintenance welder for Monsanto Chemical Company, retiring at the age of 55. After retirement, he continued farming. He was an excellent all-American athlete who played professional baseball for the New York Yankees. In addition to baseball, he also played softball and basketball and participated in the Senior Olympics where he received numerous rewards and bowled the first 300 game at Columbia Lanes. Bobby was a great husband and caregiver to his wife, Joanne and an excellent father and grandfather who will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

 

He is survived by his sons: Bobby (Iris) Ramsey, Jr. of Madison, AL, and Timothy Eston (Tammy) Ramsey of Hohenwald, TN; grandchildren: Breanna (Andrew) Daniel, Cassie Ramsey, Cameron Dorning, Austen (Laura) Dorning; great grandchild, Clara Elizabeth Dorning; and great grandchild on the way, Saylor Jo Daniel.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Doris Cole Ramsey on December 19, 2016; and brother, Harold Ramsey.

 

Pallbearers will be: Bobby Ramsey, Jr., Timothy Ramsey, Stan Coffman, Andrew Daniel, Cassie Ramsey, and Logan Bradford. Honorary pallbearers will include: Monty Uptain, Ray Uptain, and Jeremy Taft.

 

Ed comment:

 

What seems like a few months ago is in actuality, eight years. In 2011 the first contact I ever made with Ramsey occurred. A number of his 1950 Independence teammates had inquired about him and an exerted effort was made to locate the “real” guy after communicating with many men with his name.

 

During our first conversation Ramsey was very excited to know his former buddies remembered him and he inquired about all of them. He was like most fellows from that era who remembered everyone on the team and the details of where they were from, the position they played and how they acted both on and off the field. Some of those off-field antics have been related from the players to me but never revealed in these reports. If I were a younger person those “things” would make a book that a lot of “weirdos” would consume.

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Passing of Thomas Tilo Skole—1951 Pittsburg Browns 1952 Independence, Kansas Browns.

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/roswell-ga/thomas-skol...

 

As the finishing touches were being made to this report an e-mail was received from Jack Morris, baseball necrologist. The terse message stated “Unfortunately, your wish for no more KOM League deaths in 2019 didn’t come true. Here’s the obituary for Tom Skole. Let’s hope there’s no more with three full days left in the year.”

 

Skole played the outfield for the Pittsburg Browns, in 1951, and its successor the Independence Browns in 1952. Also, in 1952 he played with Pine Bluff, Arkansas in the Cotton States as well as Wellsville, New York in the PONY leagues. However, the best club for whom he played was the 1953 Sandia Air Force Base team at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Bombers were the state semi-pro champs that year and participated in the National Baseball Congress tournament at Wichita, Kansas as the representative from New Mexico.

 

The Obituary

 

Thomas Tilo Skole, 87, of Roswell, GA. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

 

Tom was born on September 13, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA. to Peter and Rose Skole. He grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Southside High School where he was a four-sport star in baseball, basketball, football and track and field. After high school, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati. Soon after, he signed a contract to play professional baseball with the St. Louis Browns. Tom had a stellar athletic career and after his baseball career was complete, he enlisted in the Army and attended Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Georgia.

 

During his time in the service while stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tom met the love of his life Stella Roybal. They were happily married and inseparable for 65 years. While starting a family, they lived in numerous cities around the country before finally calling Roswell, Georgia their home in 1972.

 

Tom was a strong patriarch of his family and a good friend to all. He was a great father who always took care of his children. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and loved being involved in their lives. It was always about “the family” to him and even in his final days would say to his loved ones, “just take care of Mom and take care of each other when I’m gone.” Tom was a strong, proud, and good man. He is loved and leaves a lasting legacy. He will be missed by many!

 

He is preceded in death by his parents Peter and Rose Skole, his two older brothers Warren and Ed, and his grandson, Tommy Burnett.

 

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Stella Skole of Roswell, GA; sons, Mike Skole (Roswell, GA); Tony Skole (Jody) of Charleston, SC; and Scott Skole (Tampa, FL); daughter, Robyn Burnett (David) Roswell GA; grandchildren Mackenzie Morris (Will) and Valrico, FL; Matt Skole (Madison) of Roswell, GA: Jake Skole (Athens, GA); Mickey Skole (Roswell, GA); Tilo Skole (Charleston, SC); Jack Skole (Charleston, SC); Gehrig Skole (Charleston, SC); Great Grandson Hayes Morris (Valrico, FL) and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 

A visitation will be held at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road Roswell, GA. on Thursday, January 2, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

 

Funeral service will be Friday, January 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm at St Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA. with a reception to follow.

 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a memorial donation be made to Roswell High School (Tommy Burnett Memorial Scholarship), 11595 King Road, Roswell, GA. 30075

 

Condolences may be left on the Thomas Tilo Skole online guest book at: www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/roswell-ga/roswell-...

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Necrology listing for 2019

 

With the foregoing obituary it segues into the listing of former KOM leaguers saying “so long” to this world in 2019. Format is month, date and team for whom the deceased played, by year. There is no claim made that this listing is an accurate listing of all former KOM leaguers departing this realm in the past year.

 

January

2—Paul Herman Hoffmeister—1949-50 Carthage Cubs

3---Donald Thomas Barclay—1949 Carthage Cubs

 

February

8—Stanley Ira Santo—1951 Ponca City Dodgers

 

March

1---Dale Edward Lober—1950 Carthage Cubs

30—Manley Griffin “Bud” Fossen 1950 Chanute Athletics

 

April

2—Gerald Conrad Dahms—1949-50 Bartlesvville Pirates

2---James Henry Neufeldt—1948 Carthage Cardinals

10—Leo Albert Kedzierski—1951 Bartlesville Pirates 1950 Iola Indian

19—Donald Louis Gebbs—1951 Bartlesville Pirates

25---Orville Nathaniel Eckstine—1951 league umpire

 

May

9---John William Knoke---1947-48 Pittsburg Browns

13---Ronald Julius Minnich—1952 Independence Browns

 

June

6---John David Mudd—1951 Carthage Cubs

11---Edward Clifton Scott—1949 Bartlesville Pirates 1949-50 Iola Indians

14---Ray McKee Birch—1948 Bartlesville Pirates

 

July

22---Robert Edward Lee—1946 Bartlesville Oilers

24---Joe Zavattarro Jr.—1951 Iola Indians

 

August

4--- George Seely---1947 Ponca City Dodgers (Sometimes spelled Seeley)

9---Stephen Thomas Kovach 1947 Pittsburg Browns

20---Wayne George Benstead (DVM)---1952 Blackwell Broncos

24---Richard Theodore Getter—1949 Iola Indians

29---Gilbert F. Flauto—1948 Chanute Giants 1949-50 Iola Indians

 

September

9—Casimir Ralph Stackowiak—1947 Chanute Athletics

 

October

4---Leonard Elmer Van de Hey—1950-51 Carthage Cubs

 

November

12—Keith Virgil Speck—1949-50 Independence Yankees

12---Charles Melville Sisson—1952 Iola Indians

 

December

14---Robert Lamonte Ramsey—1950 Independence Yankees (Obituary in this report)

24---Thomas Tilo Skole—1951 Pittsburg, Browns 1952 -Independence Browns

29---Joseph Walter Turek--1947 Bartlesville Pirates.

 

Former Iola batboy, Donald Womack, for three seasons --1946-48-- passed away on October 4 of this year in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Tidbits on some other deceased KOM leaguers

 

During the 1951 season, I recall when Thomas Edward Paddock joined the Carthage Cubs in the latter part of the campaign. He was born 3/24/1933 in Glen’s Valley, Ind. and died on his 61st birthday, 3/24/1994 in Beach Grove, Indiana at St. Francis Hospital. He had been signed by Tony Lucadello out of Southport H. S. in Indianapolis. He played 28 games for Carthage in 1951 and had a full season at Blackwell, Okla. in 1952. He was in the Army from 1953-55. After his military service he played for Burlington, Iowa in 1957 and developed into power hitter. He married 1967. In writing my first book about the KOM league many things were learned from his widow with the exception of his baseball days. They weren’t married until 10 years after he hung up his spikes. The low water mark of his career was hitting into four DP’s in one game.

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Death of George Seel(e)y—Ponca City 1947

 

Born 1/3/1924 Pueblo, Colo. Died 8/4/2019 Colorado Springs. He pitched in two games for Ponca City. Let go by Ponca City and went to Zanesville, Ohio to finish season. He spent the next season with Superior of Northern league where he posted an 8-0 record.

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Update on former Ponca City Dodger

 

Jerry Lawrence McKown. Ponca City 1947. He was originally listed as being born March 8, 1928. However, a birth certificate was recently found that stated he was born in 1924. He graduated from Technical High School in Ft. Worth in 1946 which casts doubt on the 1924 birth date. He was 5’ 160” with blonde hair and blue eyes when he registered for the draft. On 1/19/2003 he passed away in Homassas, Florida.

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An article about George Beck.

www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1951-carthrage-cubs-george...

For those of you who can’t or won’t click on URL’s you are missing some great images. However, here is the narrative.

 

“Game used bat from the Kansas Oklahoma Missouri League KOM 1951 Champion Cubs. This has the name Beck stamped. Used by George beck. He can be seen in the team photo. Last Picture. (Not Included) Shipping on bat is 12.95. Please see my rare book "Majoring In The Minors" by John G. Hall listed separately. The book and bat are from the George Beck estate. “

 

That link was shared with both Walter Babcock and Don Biebel who were members of that 1951 Carthage team. As expected, Babcock was too busy to read the article but this was received from Biebel. “Thx, very interesting. Merry Christmas and yes I'm still above ground out here.”

 

“Out here,” that Biebel referenced is in Orange County, California. Biebel was the Carthage catcher the year I was batboy. He went on to a “real” career while I stayed behind and wrote about old Class D baseball some 50 years later. Biebel was the roving instructor for Chicago Cub catchers and fill in for injured Cub minor league catchers until he got the job as traveling secretary for the Wrigley Field Cubs. He held that job for about a decade before becoming the last public relations director for Charlie O. Finley’s Kansas City Athletics. I can’t think of a tougher job. If I lived closer to Biebel we could collaborate on some kind of book from that era that would most likely fall into the category of “unbelievable.” I could call it “peculiar” for there is a town south of Kansas City where Finley once threatened to move the team.

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Well, that concludes the first report for 2020. All reader comments will be read and those that are flattering, flowery and fantastic will be shared in the next report. Those that are vulgar, profane and critical will be sent along to my group of censors, counselors and lawyers for future action.

 

Hold the presses:

 

Just moments prior to this report being sent to the “chosen few” another obituary for 2019 was discovered. Here is what was contained therein.

 

“Obituary for Stephen T. Kovach--Stephen T. Kovach, age 94, of Commack, NY passed away on August 9, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Proud US Navy WWII Veteran. Beloved husband of Patricia for over 71 years. Loving father of Stephen (Terrell) Kovach, Kathy (Michael) Berka, and the late Thomas (Karen) Kovach. Cherished grandfather of six and great-grandfather of one.”

 

A photo of Kovach, later in life is found in this link. www.fivesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Stephen-Kovach-2/#!/O... I have numerous ones of him in my files and must say that he didn’t change that much from his playing days until later in life. If you have a copy of “Majoring in The Minors” his photo is found on page 342 of the second edition. Even if you don’t have that book, it’s still there.

 

Ed comments:

 

Kovach was a native of Brooklyn, NY and began his career as catcher for the 1947 Pittsburg, Kansas Browns. In 1948 he was with the Aberdeen Pheasants of the Northern league. In 1949 he was with Marshall of the East Texas league. By 1950 he was with Wichita of the Western league. He stayed in Wichita for two years where he had a career with Boeing Aircraft, playing for the Boeing Bombers championship teams and also playing with the Western league Wichita team on occasion.

 

Over the past couple of decades I always heard from Kovach around Christmas. When not hearing from him this year a check was made of the obituary files and sadly he was located. In our many conversations Kovach recalled that he caught all the highly touted St. Louis Browns pitchers in the minor leagues. He had great stories about Don Larsen, Ryne Duren and Bob Turley. Of course, baseball fans know that trio all wound up wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees. Larsen and Kovach remained close friends up to the time of his death. In a quirk of fate, Larsen died the day this report was shared---January 1, 2020.

 

Done