New pictures on my site (Cal's home in AA Ball)

ripkenintheminors

Greetings all. It's taken awhile but I was finally able to get pictures of Crockett Park in Charlotte, NC, on my site. Cal played with the Charlotte O's in '79 & '80 (Southern League Championship). The park was destroyed in 1985 (arson). Here's the link:

Crockett Park

jeffcbay

Sweet pics!! Thank you for posting these!! Was this the park where some/most of his Minor League cards were torched?

I love this pic, it looks like there's a small cemetery in foul territory! lol

MBMiller25

That was a cool little park. Any idea whats there now?

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>That was a cool little park. Any idea whats there now? >>



subdivision

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>Sweet pics!! Thank you for posting these!! Was this the park where some/most of his Minor League cards were torched?

I love this pic, it looks like there's a small cemetery in foul territory! lol >>



Yeah I'm not sure what's up with that. I'm not sure when that set of pictures was made so I don't really know if I could ask someone what was going on with that.

You're very welcome about posting them. Pictures of Crockett Park have been hands down the toughest for me to get. This is the park where the 1980 WBTV cards would've been discarded as well as the place where the pictures for the cards were taken.

Here's the link to my page with all of the galleries of the parks that Cal called home:

Link

jeffcbay

My Dad and Step-Mom live about 5 minutes away from Cal's house. My Step-Mom works for the Harford County School system. She is the Supervisor of Planning and Construction of new and existing schools in the county. Back in 2003 or 2004 (I forget exactly), when they tore down the old Aberdeen High School (Cal's old High School), I asked her to grab me a brick.

Blackie

Wow that is a cool picture......are they not playing in the park anymore??

Blackie

I just read on, guess they don't play there anymore. Its sad seeing old parks going away.....

Ironmanfan

the funny thing is the existing Charlotte (nickname the Knights) ballclub actually now plays in South Carolina

slantycouch

Great stuff!

You need more of Silver Stadium? I've probably got some from around the (86-87) time period.

Can't remember if I've said this before but seeing that pic of Bob Bonner brought it back. He and Dave Valle used to do a summer camp in Rochester. I went at least 1 year. I think I had them sign like 20 cards haha. Good memories.

MBMiller25

Its a shame that these small parks are all being destoyed. You can't replace the history.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

Thanks for sharing. I'm curious as well about the "cemetary". Talk about hardcore fans.

Speaking of losing old parks. There is often talk of us losing ours. Been around since 1941 and its the only ballpark in organized professional baseball where the batter faces west, and as such, faces directly into the setting sun.

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>Great stuff!

You need more of Silver Stadium? I've probably got some from around the (86-87) time period.

Can't remember if I've said this before but seeing that pic of Bob Bonner brought it back. He and Dave Valle used to do a summer camp in Rochester. I went at least 1 year. I think I had them sign like 20 cards haha. Good memories. >>



I certainly wouldn't turn them down. If my memory serves right I'm thinking that I do have several pictures from Silver Stadium. I met a gentleman who runs Rochester Area Ballparks and he was more than helpful. Personally I'd love seeing them. My e-mail is ripkenintheminors@hotmail.com

I know I've said it in other threads but I really enjoyed my interaction with Bob Bonner. He's one of those people that make you a better person when you visit with them.

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>My Dad and Step-Mom live about 5 minutes away from Cal's house. My Step-Mom works for the Harford County School system. She is the Supervisor of Planning and Construction of new and existing schools in the county. Back in 2003 or 2004 (I forget exactly), when they tore down the old Aberdeen High School (Cal's old High School), I asked her to grab me a brick. >>



That's a good idea. To be honest I wasn't aware that the school was no longer standing.

slantycouch

<< <i>

I certainly wouldn't turn them down. If my memory serves right I'm thinking that I do have several pictures from Silver Stadium. I met a gentleman who runs Rochester Area Ballparks and he was more than helpful. Personally I'd love seeing them. My e-mail is ripkenintheminors@hotmail.com

I know I've said it in other threads but I really enjoyed my interaction with Bob Bonner. He's one of those people that make you a better person when you visit with them. >>



That's cool to hear. My only interaction was when I was a kid so I don't necessarily remember. Seemed he was always smiling though.

I actually won a glove from their camp. Still have it too!

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>

<< <i>

I certainly wouldn't turn them down. If my memory serves right I'm thinking that I do have several pictures from Silver Stadium. I met a gentleman who runs Rochester Area Ballparks and he was more than helpful. Personally I'd love seeing them. My e-mail is ripkenintheminors@hotmail.com

I know I've said it in other threads but I really enjoyed my interaction with Bob Bonner. He's one of those people that make you a better person when you visit with them. >>



That's cool to hear. My only interaction was when I was a kid so I don't necessarily remember. Seemed he was always smiling though.

I actually won a glove from their camp. Still have it too! >>



Here's a link to what Bobby is doing today. I was thrilled when I saw that he thought enough of the interview I did with him to post it on his site:

Link

melvin289

The area that looks like tombstones used to be called ? either the graveyard, or the cemetery. I think, if I remember correctly that the cement posts were supports for old bleachers. There was a story in the Charlotte Observer about the area of the park with the posts but my memory is not that good anymore. I guess you could search the Observer for more info but most papers only allow access to paying subscribers.

Ron

slantycouch

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

I certainly wouldn't turn them down. If my memory serves right I'm thinking that I do have several pictures from Silver Stadium. I met a gentleman who runs Rochester Area Ballparks and he was more than helpful. Personally I'd love seeing them. My e-mail is ripkenintheminors@hotmail.com

I know I've said it in other threads but I really enjoyed my interaction with Bob Bonner. He's one of those people that make you a better person when you visit with them. >>



That's cool to hear. My only interaction was when I was a kid so I don't necessarily remember. Seemed he was always smiling though.

I actually won a glove from their camp. Still have it too! >>



Here's a link to what Bobby is doing today. I was thrilled when I saw that he thought enough of the interview I did with him to post it on his site:

Link >>



Wow - just read the whole thing. Fantastic interview - VERY nicely done.

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>The area that looks like tombstones used to be called ? either the graveyard, or the cemetery. I think, if I remember correctly that the cement posts were supports for old bleachers. There was a story in the Charlotte Observer about the area of the park with the posts but my memory is not that good anymore. I guess you could search the Observer for more info but most papers only allow access to paying subscribers.

Ron >>



I'm wanting to say that the Observer has a message board. In my search for pictures I sought help from the people using their forum.

I may drop a note to one of the folks that I have interviewed in the past. I'm pretty sure they could educate me on the subject.

ripkenintheminors

<< <i>Wow - just read the whole thing. Fantastic interview - VERY nicely done. >>



I'm happy that you enjoyed the interview. The interview with Bobby will always be very special. Eventually I will get around to interviewing Jeff Schneider. Jeff agreed to answer some questions back in 2007. Unfortunately life happened and I never got around to calling him back.

melvin289

<< <i>

<< <i>The area that looks like tombstones used to be called ? either the graveyard, or the cemetery. I think, if I remember correctly that the cement posts were supports for old bleachers. There was a story in the Charlotte Observer about the area of the park with the posts but my memory is not that good anymore. I guess you could search the Observer for more info but most papers only allow access to paying subscribers.

Ron >>



I'm wanting to say that the Observer has a message board. In my search for pictures I sought help from the people using their forum.

I may drop a note to one of the folks that I have interviewed in the past. I'm pretty sure they could educate me on the subject. >>



Another interesting thing about the old park was that the organ player used to show up wearing a cape and mask, it was orange and black. He was very popular with the fans. I used to go there in the mid to late 70's for 25¢ beer night. The young ladies that served as usherettes and ball girls were called the Pepper Girls and were sponsered by Dr Pepper. All were quite good looking. The Pepper Girls were a draw by themselves. It was a fun park.

Ron

ripkenintheminors

I just sent an e-mail about the blocks in foul territory as well as the caped organ player to a pair of contacts in Charlotte. Hopefully they can help out.