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Founded in February 2000, the Deadball Era Committee (DEC) grew to more than 130 members in its first year of existence, quickly becoming one of SABR's largest research committees. Its purpose is to stimulate research on and interest in baseball from 1901 to 1919 -- the so-called "Deadball Era". This is one of the most popular, colorful, important, and distinct eras in baseball history. It begins with the turn of the century, the formation of the American League, and the establishment of the original sixteen-franchise structure that lasted the first half of the century. It continues with the establishment of the National Commission and a regular World's Series, the entrenchment of baseball as America's national pastime, and the challenge of the Federal League. Finally, it culminates with the Black Sox Scandal and rules changes that brought about major changes in the style and strategy of play.

The DEC publishes its newsletter, The Inside Game, several times a year. In addition, it is working on a collection of biographies similar to the Nineteenth Century Committee's Nineteenth Century Stars (1989) and Baseball's First Stars (1996). Volume One, featuring more than 140 players, managers, executives, and umpires of the National League, is scheduled for publication by SABR in late 2002. Volume Two, covering the American League, is slated for publication in 2005. Currently the DEC also is surveying its membership to establish a Deadball Honor Roll; researching each team's most commonly used batting order for each year of the era; and writing a collection of essays, tentatively entitled "The End of an Era", to submit to the SABR joint publication.

Whether they be choosing an official logo (that of the Federal League's Baltimore Terrapins), lauding the exploits of their unofficial mascot (Dode Paskert), or bashing their unofficial whipping boy (Dick Egan), DEC members have developed a light-hearted style that they hope to maintain in spite of the committee's rapid growth. For more information on joining the SABR Deadball Committee contact Tom Simon.

                        Tom Simon
                        Chairman
                        TPSimon@aol.com

                        Bill Lamberty
                        Vice-Chair
                        blamberty@msubobcats.com