The Kid from Hummelstown: Charlie Kreisher and the Keystone League

[Big Six]

Opening day is approaching, and with it, comes the desire to play some OOTP. And, for me at least, the desire to play OOTP is almost always paired with the urge to write about what's happening in my league.

I'm going to go back to my roots for this one. No, it's not a Pat O'Farrell story, but it's the same type of tale, set in the same era, a century ago. I'll tell the tale the same way, too--through letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, and magazine stories. There will be more words here than pictures, and I hope that's OK with you.


I created a fictional league set in Pennsylvania at the turn of the twentieth century. I was planning to use it in another story which, for one reason or another, never took off. I played 20 seasons, beginning in 1889, to give the league some history and character, so as our story begins, it's the spring of 1909. All the characters and teams, then, will be completely fictional.

There seem to be very few people left in the forum who were active when I started my first story here, just short of 13 (!!) years ago now. I haven't really written actively here for five or six years now, and I've missed it.

I'm excited about this story, and I hope it will be something we will all enjoy.

[Big Six]

The Madisontown Courier-News
May 8, 1909

Will College Star Leave For Keystone League?
Kreisher Coveted By Professionals

For two seasons now, fans of the Madison College base ball team have been treated to the exploits of one Charles Kreisher, a fleet-footed, hard-hitting outfielder who has put the Presidents back on the front foot after years of lack-luster play.

Since Mr. Kreisher is completing his sophomore year, it stood to reason his time on the Prospect Park diamond was merely half done, and that the best was, perhaps, yet to come.

Now it turns out that we might have seen the last of Charlie with the College nine. Word has it that scouts from Keystone League clubs--all ten of them--have cast their eyes on Charlie, and they like what they see. Enough that young Kreisher is often mentioned as the likeliest choice for the first player chosen in the Keystone draft next month.

By all accounts, Kreisher, a history major, is a fine student. Charlie is also active in campus life; he sings with the College men's chorus and is active in the Beta Chi fraternity and the Theta Theta literary society. He is, by no means, simply a "hired gun" who is at Madison simply because he can hit a ball and catch it and, by all accounts, Charlie likes college life just fine.

However, the temptation to play ball and make a few dollars for it might be too much for the young man from Hummelstown to resist. The Kreisher family is not wealthy, nor are they poor; Mr. Kreisher owns and operates a bustling little grocery. Charlie might not, then, be too easily swayed by the lure of lucre.

While we at the Courier-News hope Charlie will provide us with two more years' worth of delight, we nevertheless wish him well if his dreams take him elsewhere.

[Big Six]

A few notes on the Keystone League:

I've set the league totals so the league produces stats that look like 1985, rather than the early twentieth century. While I enjoy Dead Ball Era "base ball," I wanted the Keystone League's history to be a bit more uniform than that of the real professional game, and I picked the era I enjoyed watching as a kid.

The Keystone League usually hits about .250, and the league ERA is typically in the vicinity of 3.60. A typical team might steal 120 bases or so. Relief pitchers are used in a fairly modern fashion; the average KL pitching staff finished the '08 season with 19 complete games, and racked up 41 saves.

One player, whom you'll meet later, has hit home runs at a prodigious pace. Other than him, few Keystone Leaguers hit as many as 40 home runs in a season. The league leader in stolen bases usually swipes 60 or 70 bags.

[Big Six]

Beta Chi Fraternity
Madison College
Madisontown, Pennsylvania

The Kreisher Family
224 Poplar Avenue
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

June 4, 1909

Dear Family,

I am sitting in my favorite rocker on the porch of the good old Beta Chi house, trying to convince myself I am doing the right thing. There is a part of me that tells me to pack my trunk and come back home as I do every spring, and forget about the idea of playing ball professionally.

But there is also a part of me that reminds me that if I pass up this chance, I am very possibly passing it up for good. That voice is the louder one, and it is the voice I am going to listen to now. I am going to give base ball a good, honest try.

I love it here, and I hope you know how grateful I am that you saved and sacrificed to make it possible for me to go to college. It is, however, true that Madison College will be here long after I put down my bat and glove for good. Whenever that day comes, I fully intend to complete my education and prepare to make my way in some other occupation. Who knows? Base ball is a hard business to make good in, and I might not last a season. If that is the case, I will be back at school, and if I am lucky, I will have earned my own tuition.

The Keystone League draft is tomorrow. I understand if a team drafts me, someone from the club will call me on the telephone here at the fraternity or send me a telegram. Either way, I should know by tomorrow evening if I have been drafted and, if so, by which team.

The newspaper here said I might even be the first player chosen. I'm not sure I want that honor, with the pressure to succeed that comes with it. At any rate, we will see what happens.

No matter what happens, I love all of you. Mom, Dad, Margaret, and Kate, you are the tops.

Your son and brother,
Charlie

[cshigh]

Looks good Big Six. I'll be following along.

[Big Six]

Madisontown Courier-News
June 6, 1909


KREISHER CHOSEN FIRST IN KEYSTONE DRAFT
York White Roses Choose Madison College Flychaser
Kreisher Will Begin Career In Boalsburg

The Keystone League's annual draft of amateur players took place yesterday, and the first player chosen was Madison College's own Charlie Kreisher. The 20-year-old Presidents outfielder, who recently completed his second year at the College, was drafted by the York White Roses.

The York club earned the first pick in the draft by finishing in last place for the '08 season. They are not much better off in '09, currently occupying the ninth spot in the ten-team loop, fully 15 games off the pace of pennant leaders Bethlehem. The White Roses, then, could possibly use a good outfielder sooner, rather than later.

Kreisher completed his sophomore season with a batting average of .331. In 56 games, he hit safely 80 times. Charlie's 70 runs scored set a new Madison College mark, and he also drove home 63 runs, third most in College annals. He hit 14 home runs and stole 36 bases in 43 tries.

Still, by the standards of the Keystone League, Charlie is as green as the hills around his Hummelstown home. The White Roses will send him to their Boalsburg farm club, in the Independence League. Two more levels of ball will then lie between young Kreisher and his big league dreams come true: Chambersburg, in the Commonwealth circuit, and Gettysburg, of the Quaker State loop.

Every journey, however, begins with a first step, and when Kreisher boards the train for Boalsburg to-day, he will take that crucial first step.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by cshigh

Looks good Big Six. I'll be following along.

Thanks very much, cshigh. You're officially Charlie's first fan.

Besides me, of course.


The Keystone Base Ball Weekly
July 12, 1909

Eye on the Future

The Independence League is currently the place to watch most of the players who are said to have the best chances for eventual stardom in the Keystone League. Of the ten youngsters listed on the KL's Top Prospect rolls, eight of them are currently plying their trade in the Independence circuit.

First among them is Charlie Kreisher, an outfielder with Boalsburg who was the York White Roses' choice with the first pick in the amateur lottery a month ago. Kreisher, a lefty hitter with a compact frame, started slowly, although he did smack a home run in his third game with the Memorials.

Lately Kreisher, who is 20 years old, appears to be adjusting to professional pitching just fine. A recent hot streak has raised his batting mark to .311. On July 9, Charlie had four hits, including a double and a triple, in an 8-5 victory over Franklin. The Independence League named him their Player of the Week today, recognizing his 14 hits in 22 at bats, and his nine runs batted in over the most recent seven days.

While power is not the hallmark of Kreisher's game, he has whacked four homers in 25 games with Boalsburg, and he appears to have a knack for hitting for extra bases--six doubles and three triples also appear on his ledger.

His manager, John Kearns, says that Kreisher is a student of the game and a hard worker, qualities that should serve him well on his long path to the Keystone League.

[Big Six]

York Gazette
August 2, 1909

BOALSBURG'S KREISHER IS INDEPENDENCE BATTER OF MONTH FOR JULY
Rookie Outfielder Is White Roses' Top Young Player

There is good news from the White Roses' Independence League affiliate in Boalsburg. Memorials outfielder Charlie Kreisher was yesterday named the league's Batter of the Month for July.

Kreisher batted .418 last month and hit three home runs. He drove in 23 runs and scored 20. He has helped keep the Memorials in the first division.

Kreisher was the first player chosen in the June draft of amateur players, and so far he looks like a fine choice. He has been playing left field for Boalsburg, but most observers believe center field will be his eventual position.

Kreisher stands five feet eight inches tall, and weighs about 150 pounds. He bats and throws lefthanded. Despite his compact size, he hits with a fair amount of power, and he runs very well. In the field, he covers a lot of ground and has sure hands. His throwing arm is said to be average.

It might be too late for Boalsburg to secure a spot in the Independence League playoff; they are currently fourth, eleven games behind the second-place club. Their hopes of a third consecutive league championship, then, are remote, but Memorials rooters can comfort themselves with the thought that they are watching one of the best young base ballists in the Keystone State this season.

[Big Six]

304 Academy Street
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

The Kreisher Family
224 Poplar Avenue
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

August 21, 1909

Dear Mom, Dad, Margaret, and Kate,

It was wonderful to see a letter from you waiting for me when I returned from the ball park today. We played Mifflintown, and beat them 7-5. It is a beautiful day here, not too hot, and there was a big crowd at Memorial Park to see us play. I didn't get a hit, but I got four of them in the last two games. Best of all, we won all three games.

There are four of us living at Mrs. Geraghty's boarding house now. I get along best with a fellow named Redell Keely. He plays first base. He has been playing for Boalsburg for three seasons now, and he lives with Mrs. Geraghty each year. Redell is from New Jersey, and he went straight into base ball after high school. He is about a year and a half older than I am.

Redell admits he sometimes wonders if he will ever get a chance to show what he can do in a better league. He hit well last year--about .275--and had a lot of doubles and a few home runs, and he thought that performance might earn him a promotion to Chambersburg. Unfortunately the White Roses bosses saw it differently, and sent Redell back here. Still, he tries to keep a smile on his face, and that is one reason I think highly of him.

There isn't much to do in Boalsburg. We live close to downtown, and we will walk around there in the evenings sometimes. There is a drug store that serves decent ice cream sundaes, but they aren't nearly as good as Heinrich's. We can ride the train into State College every once in a while, but most of us don't have enough money for a real night on the town. There's no need to worry about your boy getting into trouble in the big city!

There is little chance we will make the play-off, so my season will end on the 13th. I will take the train back home the next day, or the day after that. It will be wonderful to see all of you again. Margaret, I promise I will be home in time to see you before you leave for Bryn Mawr.

Tell everyone hello for me, and please keep writing.

Love,
Charlie

[Tyke]

Always good to see a dynasty from you Big Six, so best of luck with Charlie's story. [From my avatar, you may be able to guess whether I approve or disapprove of the team he's signed with!]

[shipfb21]

i loved the style of patty o's story, so im definitely following this story... just a quick question. is the mlb, in this universe? if so, is there a chance charlie makes his way there?

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by Tyke

Always good to see a dynasty from you Big Six, so best of luck with Charlie's story. [From my avatar, you may be able to guess whether I approve or disapprove of the team he's signed with!]

Thanks, Tyke. Based on the avatar, and the fact your profile says you're lin Yorkshire, I'm going to go with "approve" here.

You'll enjoy the rivalry with the Lancaster Red Roses even more than most, I'm thinking.

I appreciate the kind words, and I hope you'll enjoy the story.

Originally Posted by shipfb21

i loved the style of patty o's story, so im definitely following this story... just a quick question. is the mlb, in this universe? if so, is there a chance charlie makes his way there?

I appreciate it, shipfb21. It's always cool to hear from a Pat O'Farrell fan from back in the day.

The MLB isn't in this universe. I decided to go with something completely fictional, so the Keystone League is the pinnacle of base ball in Charlie's world. I thought something different might be fun...otherwise, it might feel too much like telling Pat's story again, simply with a different character.

As for Charlie making the "big league," there is almost certainly a chance of that. I created him as a "can't miss" prospect, so I could tell the story of a very highly touted young player and his experiences. Pat O'Farrell was created as a three-star prospect, so his emergence into a baseball legend was a surprise.

Again, thanks for your compliment, and I hope this story will be fun, too-even though there's no MLB.

[Big Six]

Centre Daily Times
September 1, 1909

...The expansion of Keystone League rosters creates an effect throughout a team's system. Players are called up from the lower leagues to the big league club, and each affiliate then plucks players from those below them to replace those who have been called to higher things.

The Boalsburg club has enjoyed another fine season, so none should be surprised that Chambersburg, who have been deep in the second division all summer, would want to add some of the Memorials to their roster.

Among those making the trip down to join the Shelties are Charlie Kreisher, the outfield phenom from Madison College. Kreisher will depart the club with a .311 batting average, and his eight home runs are tied for the team's lead--despite the fact he didn't join the club until June.

Kreisher's parting gift was a grand slam home run, clouted two days ago against league leaders Bala Cynwyd...

The other Memorial who possesses the ability to deliver a four-base blow is also on his way to Chambersburg. First sacker Redell Keely will finally be promoted, after delighting the rooters with his talents since Aught-Six...

[Big Six]

224 Poplar Avenue
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Mr. Charlie Kreisher
89 Glen Street
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

September 9, 1909


Dear Charlie,

Thank you so much for writing a letter especially to me! I was thrilled to see it when I came home from school today. So far, being a sophomore feels very much like being a freshman did, except for the fun I have watching silly freshman antics. A few of the boys seem even less mature than they did last spring, which is hard to imagine. I suppose high school doesn't change much until you are a junior or a senior.

My classes do not seem too difficult, yet. I have a young teacher named Mr. Ross for history this year. He went to Madison, and he has a big blue and white Madison banner on the wall of his classroom. He says he knows you from college; he was three years ahead of you, so he must have graduated in '08. He wishes you the best of luck and says he hopes to see you playing for York very soon.

I am glad you realize how much I enjoy it when you write to me and mention all kinds of things about how the team is playing. I know Margaret doesn't care a bit about base ball; she is too busy going on about Bryn Mawr this and Bryn Mawr that. For the millionth time, she is asking me to remind you that you promised to take the train to school with her on the 22nd. I told her you would be home in a week, and she could remind you then.

I know it has to be difficult to leave a team that was in a good pennant race for one that is losing, even if your new team is in a higher league. I do like "Shelties" as a name for a team, though. They are feisty little dogs, and a team should be feisty, too.

It's time for me to practice my piano and finish my lessons now, so I shall end my letter. Dad will mail it in the morning, so you should see it when you return home from the games in Danville. See, I know your team's schedule very well!

Good luck, and please write to me one more time before you come home!

Your little sis,
Kate

[Big Six]

York Daily Record
September 21, 1909

KREISHER CALLED UP TO WHITE ROSES
Young Outfielder To Join Club For Final Week Of Season

Yesterday, the White Roses announced the purchase of the contract of Charlie Kreisher from Chambersburg of the Commonwealth League. Kreisher was the White Roses' first pick in the June amateur draft, and he has wasted no time showing he has a bright future in the game.

After doing fine work with the Boalsburg club, Kreisher adjusted to faster competition in Chambersburg without difficulty. Usually batting lead-off for the Shelties, Charlie scored 11 runs in 12 games for a team that had problems putting men across home plate. He batted .349 and included two four-base blows among his 15 safe hits.

Kreisher carries with him the additional pressure to make good that comes with being the first player chosen in the Keystone League draft. Fans of the White Rose know what it is like to watch a player with that designation try to make it in the League, as their team had the first choice in the draft on four previous occasions. Two of them were pitchers, and their fates should not be used to predict that of an outfielder like Kreisher.

White Roses rooters hope Kreisher will turn out to be more like second baseman Will Meyers, the first man drafted in '02, who is a star in the York team now and is about to win the batting championship. They certainly hope he will avoid the fate of poor Sterling Poindexter, who was chosen first in '92, played that summer in Boalsburg, and retired from the game.

Most experts believe Charlie is made of the same stuff as Mitch Meyerhofer, the young gardener from Bethlehem whom the Steelers snatched up in 1904. Meyerhofer is chasing the .300 mark and might drive in 100 runs, and he steals a lot of bases. Scouts have compared Kreisher to Meyerhofer several times, and if Charlie turns out to be as good a Keystone Leaguer as Mitch has, we will be quite satisfied indeed.

[John C]

Ah, baseball in PA, with a litany of central PA references. You're hitting me in my wheelhouse, Sixer.

Good to see you back. I may be joining you in this realm shortly, as an off-shoot of your old CT stories may get shifted and told, should I get it all organized.

[Habsfan18]

Definitely following along!

[BigRed75]

It does my heart good to see a new BigSix story...

[Big Six]

First of all, an apology.

My spring was incredibly busy; much more so than I expected. It seems like each of our three kids became twins. As a result, I had next to no time for OOTP.

It ought to be a little less hectic now, so I'll be returning to my story soon. Thanks for the support while Charlie and the White Roses were on hiatus.