Larry Dierker Chapter meeting recap – 6/20/2022
On Monday, June 20, 2022, Chair Joe Thompson convened the monthly hybrid meeting of Houston’s Larry Dierker Chapter. He announced that we had four new members and reminded us to sign up for the SABR 50 convention to be held in Baltimore in August. He noted that Mike McCroskey would be scheduling a Space Cowboys game for the group to attend in August, details to follow. Joe mentioned the recent SABR Chapter Leaders meeting at which he learned about a map of historic ballparks from the Landmarks Committee; there will be more on this during a virtual presentation on July 21.
- Video: Click here to watch a recap of this chapter meeting (YouTube)
Our very busy leader also found time to update the Chapter website at sabrhouston.org. The summer edition of our Newsletter will be published in July; members are encouraged to submit articles of 600-800 words for subsequent issues.
The evening’s leadoff speaker was Arlene Lassin. She recounted her experiences as a member of the Phillies Hot Pants Patrol from 1976-1981. In both this role and in her work with the Promotions Department of the Philadelphia Phillies she met many interesting people: fans, sponsors, and of course players. Those attending the meeting recognized many of the people she mentioned. She has maintained her interest in the game since moving to Houston and authoring a wide variety of articles for a wide variety of publications. She has recently published a book, The Very Best of the Hot Flashes Blog. It includes essays on a range of amusing and insightful topics. Copies were available and willingly autographed!
Our second speaker was Ira Siegel of the Hornsby Chapter in central Texas. He has been actively involved with the Baseball Reminiscence Committee which has developed programs in several areas around the country that bring Alzheimer and dementia patients, as well as socially isolated seniors, and their caretakers to activities designed to help them recall their memories. There is of course an emphasis on baseball events and players of the past, but the programming may involve music, dance, movies, and other activities to encourage, reminiscence and involvement. Ira reports that it is a very rewarding endeavor; he is willing to provide guidance to anyone in our chapter who would like to initiate such a program here in the Houston area. A quick (3 minute) video describing the SABR Baseball Memories programs is on our chartered community web site at: https://sabrbaseballmemories.o
The trivia contest was submitted by Vince Travoto and featured questions which related to players who played for both the Astros and the Brewers. Maxwell Kates emerged the winner and will present the next quiz.
Our next meeting is Monday, July 18 and our featured speaker is David Krell. Since this is the 60th year of the Houston franchise, David will talk to the group about baseball and 1962. His topic is the basis for his May 2021 book called 1962: Baseball and America in the Time of JFK.
Chapter President Emeritus Bob Dorrill will also speak to the group about his time as a little league coach in the 1960s and some of the more famous names of players he has coached.
— Marsha Franty