Mining for Souls

Page 35
Blue Gray Line
Sports in Lyon Mountain page 1
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First Baseball Diamond - behind Mary Mykalosky home
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Boys of Summer 1940
Back row - left to right:
Joseph "Jud" Tolosky, Roger Tolosky, Clarence Benjamin, Bill Robinson, Bill Kowalowski, Philip Stacavich.
Front row - left to right:
Walt Bingel, Leonard Rounds, Ernest Dubrey, Jerry Blanch, John Kowalowski, Slavin Chase, Keith Woodward.
Bystander Charles Sherman - far right;
Center: Batboy Farley Chase.
     It is said history kicks dust over our tracks, seedlings grow into trees and memories fade. It was this writers experience to enkindle memories of the great American sport of baseball in Lyon Mountain. With this assignment, the availability of forgotten photographs, old with age, boxed and kept in attics for years were loaned to me so that you may reminisce. In the research done, baseball seems to be the earliest outstanding sport in Lyon Mountain dating back to 1906.  Tennis, basketball and bob-sledding were also popular sports but not to the extent of the game on the diamond. Because of their success as teams, Lyon Mountain became a challenge for area towns travelling as far as South Hero, St. Johnsbury, and Alburg, Vermont.
UMPIRES ORGANIZE
     In the summer of 1950 the "Old Timers" in Lyon mountain saw a need for an organization of baseball umpires. No longer able to play the game because of father time but loving it still a group including Walt (Porky) Bingel, Robert (Duke) Chase, Leonard (Teddy) Rounds, Roger (Archie) Tolosky and others met at the American Legion Home to form such an organization. This association is known today(1975) as the "Lyon Mountain Chapter of New York State Umpires Association" with 20 active members.
Leona Bingel
 
     I wish they had included more sports in this publication, as I remember Lyon Mt. as a sports town and still is. There is still an active Legion Baseball team that outplays teams from larger areas such as Plattsburgh. I grew up in Dannemora, and played sports in the 50's, and followed it in the 60's. My older cousin "Sonny" Bigelow was a very good baseball player, and known for his home run power. I watched him many times and at least once on the ball field in Lyon Mt. He hit a home run that day against one of the best pitchers in the area. I think his name was Rounds, who went on to the minor leagues as many from the Lyon Mt. teams went to try out for the Majors. I hope others will find these pages on the internet and reply to add to the history of baseball and other sports in Lyon Mt....................................................ROD  2/1/2000
Go to Sports in Lyon Mountain page 2


Sources:
Adirondack Museum photos, Blue Mountain Lake, NY;
History of Clinton County, New York;
Go to Page 1 of The History of Lyon Mountain.
Go to Page 3 of The History of Lyon Mountain.
Go to Mining History for The History of Mining in the North Country.
Go to Page 5 of The History of Lyon Mountain.(for article on Lyon Mt. and Mineville)

Go to  Page 36 of Mining for Souls.
Back to  Page 34 of Mining for Souls.
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover page)
Blue Gray Line
Rod Bigelow
Box 13  Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
  rodbigelow@netzero.net
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