When Baseball Was King: The History of Semi-pro Baseball in Dunsmuir, California (1895-1970)

Baseball is a special American sport. At the highest professional level, it is a display of athletic prowess and grace. Over the many decades young men have attempted to master its complexities and nuances to the best of their abilities. Thousands have enjoyed the sport at its many levels. One of those is at the adult amateur level, also frequently referred to as semi-pro baseball. In a bygone era small towns across the country had their local town teams, made up of high school and college players, local blue and white collar workers with baseball dreams, and paid outsiders. Those teams had avid fans who came out on a Sunday afternoon to root on their lads. It was a time when there were few outside interruptions or activities. Dunsmuir, California, a small railroad town in extreme Northern California, was no exception. From its first team that took on challengers in 1895, through two World Wars, to its final demise in 1970, semi-pro baseball ruled the town on lazy summer afternoons. The author was part of the tradition for eight blissful seasons and present at its final ending in 1970. He presents a season by season account of the team, the tough times along with the highs. He captures the feeling of the flow of the seasons and personalities of the men and boys who played the game with a sense of determination and feeling that this was their last chance to be part of this great sport. Within the restrictions of the newspaper coverage, all the names of past players are given along with the years they played. The ghosts of past players mix with each other over a 75 year span. The reader will feel a part of the action of each season and feel the ups and downs of the players and the fans. It was a long wonderful era when baseball was king.

Author: John David Fischer
Publisher: John David Fischer
Published: 04/20/2016
Pages: 282
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.59d
ISBN: 9780977991136

About the Author
John David Fischer was born in 1942 and raised in Dunsmuir, California, where he learned his love of the game of baseball from his father, his Little League coach. He played on various youth league baseball teams, his local junior high school and high school teams, his college team, and the local semi-pro baseball team, which is the subject of this book. Before and during his 31 years as a high school English teacher he coached numerous youth league teams as well as teams at the high where he taught. He also coached football at the high school level. He has written books about different sports he was involved with, including the history of a high school football rivalry, ultra long distance running, and alpine skiing. He recently published his first novel, a semi-autobiographical story based on the time he was in the military. Also known as J.D. or Dave by the people who know him well, he has run 74 marathons and longer races, skied since the age of 14, and fly fished on the Upper Sacramento River. Currently he enjoys reading, writing, working out, and participating in his sports through his memories.

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