Cleveland’s Terminal Building and the 708-Foot Game of Catch

On August 20, 1938, the Cleveland Indians participated in a publicity stunt to commemorate the tenth anniversary of occupancy of the Terminal Tower, an iconic downtown structure which at the time was the seventh tallest building in the country. Six members of the team were chosen to catch baseballs tossed from a level of the Tower which was around 680 feet above the street.

This event was likely inspired by similar, preceding efforts worthy of note.

In 1908, Washington Senators catcher Charles “Gabby” Street accepted the challenge of catching a ball dropped from atop the Washington Monument, a structure standing approximately 555 feet. This feat had reportedly been tried before, but never succeeded.1

On August 21, society editor Preston Gibson of the Washington Post climbed to the highest point of the monument that had an opening to expel a ball.2 He then tossed 13 baseballs down to Street, who was equipped with only his catcher’s mitt. Authoritative accounts of this event note that Street missed the first 12 before finally succeeding on Number 13.3

Undaunted, two years later on August 24, 1910, Chicago White Sox catcher Billy Sullivan, considered one of the best defensive catchers of his era, topped Street’s effort by successfully catching three baseballs thrown by teammate Ed Walsh from atop the same monument.4

In recounting this daredevil foray, Sullivan, like Street, emphasized the force of the ball in making these catches. He emphatically declined when asked if he was interested in catching a ball from an airplane.5 But on July 22, 1926, another ballplayer, the legendary Babe Ruth, did just that.

In a promotion for the US Army, Ruth stood in a field in Long Island, New York, and successfully caught a baseball dropped from a plane about 300 feet overhead. Reportedly, “the Babe” was successful on the seventh ball dropped—the only one that fell within his reach.6

By 1938, these events were likely known to the “Come to Cleveland” Committee of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce as it considered a unique event to draw visitors and captivate citizens in celebration of the city’s Terminal Tower.7

Built during the skyscraper boom of the 1920s and ‘30s, the Tower (as of 1938) was a 52-story, 708-foot landmark, located on Public Square in downtown Cleveland. Upon completion, the $170 million building, designed to sit atop the city’s new Union Terminal, was the second-tallest building in the world outside of New York City.8

Terminal Tower eventually relinquished the title of “tallest building in North America outside of New York” when the Prudential Tower was completed in Boston in 1964.9

As an indication of urban evolution over the past 60 years, as of 2026, Terminal Tower (now at a total height of 771 feet) is not among the top 100 tallest buildings in the United States. It is not even the tallest building in Cleveland, having been surpassed by the Key Tower which was completed in 1991. That structure stands at 948 feet (42nd tallest in the US), easily dwarfing what had long been the previous clear and unchallenged king of the Cleveland skyline.10

At the time of the ball drop event in 1938, the Cleveland Indians franchise, like the Terminal Tower, was a civic treasure. They had not won an American League pennant since their 1920 World Series championship with player/manager Tris Speaker. But the Indians had winning records in the previous four seasons while attendance climbed each year from 391,338 in 1934 to 564,849 in 1937, the latter figure being an 11-year high for the club. By involving the Indians, “Come to Cleveland” was securing high interest in its Tower commemoration. The Indians were a talented team, well-stocked on offense and pitching, but they were 10 games behind the red-hot Yankees by the morning of August 20, when the ball drop was scheduled.11

Details are scarce about “Come to Cleveland” coordination with Indians team officials. One account indicated that the Tribe’s opponent for that day, the Chicago White Sox, might also have players participate. None did, although it was reported some of them went to the scene and watched.12 The committee invited Gabby Street to “referee” the ball drop, 30 years after his heralded catch. However, Street was then manager of the St. Louis Browns and unable to fit it into his schedule.13

In the end, four Indians players participated in the stunt: starting catcher Frank Pytlak, backup Rollie Hemsley, seldom-used catcher Hank Helf, and third baseman Ken Keltner. They were accompanied by coaches Wally Schang and Johnny Bassler, themselves both former big league catchers. Bassler was 43 years old. Schang was just two days short of his 49th birthday. Nonetheless, they agreed to participate along with their younger compatriots. All participants wore civilian clothes and sported catchers’ mitts.14 Earl Averill was originally selected to throw the baseballs but backed out shortly before the stunt.15

The plan called for Keltner to ascend the Tower to the 52nd floor. This was the top-most level accessible, below only the cone-shaped flagpole base and the flagpole itself, which was the Tower’s highest peak. The space from which Keltner would throw was little more than a ledge with a low railing. He was instructed to toss the baseballs far enough to clear the base of the structure (about 100 feet), while also aiming for a 50-foot radius area of grass where participants stood to receive the ball.16

Prior to the stunt, Indians manager Oscar Vitt seemed concerned about using starting players in the ball drop. “If Bassler, Schang, and Helf aren’t killed, I’ll probably let our regular catchers, Frankie Pytlak and Rollie Hemsley, try it,” he said.17 In addition, it was reported that most Indians teammates scorned this event. They did not see what it would prove and did not believe it could be done. In any case, Vitt’s feelings were not heeded. All three catchers positioned themselves ready at the bottom of the Tower, along with their coaches. Police roped off the quadrant of the square where the would-be ball receivers were standing.18

Throws were slated to be made at two-minute intervals. Unlike Street, Sullivan, and Ruth in their respective ball drops, Pytlak and Helf are specifically described as wearing miners’ steel helmets on their heads for protection. It is possible that Hemsley and the coaches were equipped with the same.

Based on reports, it appeared “Come to Cleveland” had guessed right on the popularity of this stunt. It attracted a lunchtime crowd estimated around 10,000 people.19 To put this in perspective, across 50 home games played before the ball drop, the Indians averaged just under 16,000 fans per game. Therefore, for this stunt, Public Square drew around two-thirds of what the pennant-contending Indians typically drew for actual games. As an added point, 25 of Cleveland’s 50 home games up to that date drew a smaller crowd than the ball drop did.20

Keltner made his way up the Tower, bringing a dozen baseballs. He mentioned Oscar Vitt accompanied him to the toss spot, then had to leave “as he didn’t like height.” Once in place, a man stood next to Keltner to wave a flag and alert the catchers below when a throw was about to be made.21 News reports indicate there was a slight wind, which certainly complicated matters.

None of the first three throws were caught. A firsthand account from the Cleveland Plain Dealer indicates those were unreachable.22 Nonetheless, each one provided an eye-opening thrill for the crowd. By some accounts, balls bounced as high as 13 stories after hitting the ground. In an interview in 1970, the general superintendent of the Tower, Ed Buczynski (who was present the day the stunt took place), disputed that claim and guessed it was only 3 or 4 floors. A letter from Pytlak seconded this estimate. Regardless, that still amounts to a bounce of 80 feet or so.23

This was a sobering state of affairs for the players. Helf said the falling baseballs “looked the size of aspirin tablets when they started down, and when they got closer, they had stopped spinning and were dancing like knuckleballs. I didn’t know if they were going to hit my glove or my head.”24 In his recounting, Buczynski said, “I can tell you this. Those balls came down like bullets.”25

Helf managed to juggle, then secure a ball on the fourth throw. Pytlak grabbed a ball three throws later.26 Keltner tossed all 12 balls he had. The Plain Dealer maintained that the two which were caught were the only ones that came near would-be receivers on the grass. The rest either hit the street or sidewalk.27

 

 

At the time, Cleveland scientists estimated that balls thrown from the Tower would have travelled at 138 miles per hour. However, without knowing the exact trajectory or velocity of the throws, it would be difficult to calculate these speeds with precision. The Cleveland Press did present the scientists’ methodology, which was outlined in theoretical terms, not real-world measurements.28

Both Helf and Pytlak set a vertical catch record, surpassing Street’s 1908 feat by about 150 feet.

Helf ended up playing only six games that season. Overall, he spent most of his career in the minors. However, as the first to break the record, he received the loudest applause from the crowd and top bill in most headlines. He was also presented with a couple prizes: a thick wool coat, which he says he never wore, and a trophy, which he kept for many years.29 As for the other catchers, accounts say little about their attempts to track a ball, although Bassler was quoted as saying he might have snagged one throw had he not feared stumbling over a hedge in Public Square.30

The Cleveland News notes that the event broke up not long after the last toss. Reportedly, some youngsters broke through police lines and mobbed Paddy Livingston, a former Cleveland catcher from the early twentieth century, who was gathering up the wayward baseballs. In what was described as a melee, all the balls he had were stolen.31 Fortunately, the ball Pytlak caught was apparently saved. It was authenticated by Heritage Auctions and sold at auction in 2012.32

Following the ball drop, the Indians had a game to play that afternoon. In addition to the record-setting stunt, the team and its fans were able to celebrate an 8-2 win by the Tribe. Mel Harder spun a complete-game for his 11th win of the year.

Two of the four players who participated in the ball drop played in the game. Both had big performances. Catcher Rollie Hemsley batted third and went 3-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt and two RBIs. Keltner also impressed the Indians faithful, batting seventh and going 2-for-4, including a home run and a triple with an RBI and a run scored.

In a bizarre twist, the paid attendance was recorded at only 2,500. Only ten Indians home crowds in 1938 drew fewer fans.33

For baseball fans who believe in superstition, one could draw the conclusion that the successful ball drop event was a jinx for the Tribe’s 1938 fortunes. Although the team had been sagging for about three weeks prior, the proverbial bottom dropped out after August 20. Cleveland went 6-10 to finish the month, which included five doubleheader dates in that stretch, as a makeup for some rainouts. It was also reported that Bob Feller and Johnny Allen were battling through sore arms.34

The Indians ended the season with a commendable 86-66 record, though they did slip into third place behind the Boston Red Sox and finished 13 games behind the pennant-winning Yankees. Season attendance was 652,006—the team’s highest draw since 1921, when they were the defending World Series champs.35

A season later, on May 10, 1939, the Philadelphia Phillies staged a nearly-identical ball drop event. Organized by the local Newspaper Guild, this one involved manager Doc Prothro throwing baseballs from the observation deck of City Hall to a quartet of Phillies players on the street, an estimated 521 feet below. Like the Terminal Tower event, it drew a large crowd, ending with a successful catch by reserve catcher Dave Coble.36

Less than one month later, on June 3, Joe “Mule” Sprinz—a catcher with the Pacific Coast League’s San Francisco Seals—was tabbed to catch a ball dropped from a Goodyear blimp. The stunt was organized as part of Baseball Day at the Golden Gate Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. Unlike all previous ball drop attempts mentioned, this stunt resulted in an unfortunate mishap.

During an attempt to make the catch from an estimated 800 feet, the ball hit Sprinz’ upraised glove and drove it into his face with such force he suffered upper jaw fractures in twelve places and had five teeth knocked out. This led to a two-month stay in the hospital.37

It is hard to determine whether Sprinz’ injury caused second thoughts for other would-be ball drop schemers. 1938-39 featured three high-profile ball drop stunts. After that, it appears this strange and short-lived fad disappeared with little regret or remembrance. However, in 1980, Cleveland returns to the story.

After 40-plus years, city organizers came up with a plan to recreate the ball drop to commemorate the 50th anniversary of completion of the Terminal Tower complex. They contacted the Cleveland Indians. The team initially considered it. Outfielder Rick Manning and first baseman Mike Hargrove tentatively volunteered to participate.38 In fact, it was discussed to have the throwers stand on a small platform, in order to set a new record.39

At some point (probably in May), the Indians reconsidered and declined to get involved. Fortunately for thrill-seekers, Cleveland businessman and sports franchise owner Ted Stepien had no qualms when he was approached.

Stepien is best known for his inept ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association, and was also a minority owner of the Indians in the early 1970s. But he was also owner of a successful men’s pro softball team, the Cleveland Competitors, which he purchased in 1978 as the Cleveland Jaybirds of the American Professional Slo-Pitch League.40

Stepien stated he was talked into participating in the ball drop by a Competitors colleague who thought it would be good publicity for the softball team.

Stepien himself was tasked with tossing softballs from the Tower. Members of his Competitors squad were designated to catch them. On June 24, 1980, this recklessly-executed softball drop took place.

The 1938 event drew about 10,000 people but the crowd for this stunt only brought an estimated 5,000. When Stepien arrived at Public Square and saw thousands of people gathered around the building, he began to worry about a possible accident. Stepien’s apprehension rose when he was taken to the narrow throwing spot atop the Tower. “There was just this little catwalk,” Stepien said. “I put my body against the rail and had somebody hold my foot. They told me to throw the ball about 8 to 10 feet out. I couldn’t see anything but air.” As for the catchers, they had difficulty from looking up into the sun, as the event began around noon.41

For this version of the stunt, organizers used walkie-talkies to alert catchers on the ground when each throw would be launched. Unfortunately, the first ball Stepien threw damaged a parked car. Instead of taking that as a warning and reason to cease, he proceeded. The second ball hit a bystander, 66-year-old Russell Murphy, who sustained a shoulder bruise. Either unaware or unconcerned, Stepien went ahead and lobbed ball number three. It ended up striking another bystander, 23-year old Gayle Falinski. It was later determined she suffered a broken forearm. The fourth ball ended up missing the crowd. Thankfully, the fifth ball was caught in the mitt of Competitors player Mike Zarefoss, ending the fiasco.

Afterward, Stepien blamed city officials for not enabling him to practice the softball toss before a crowd had assembled.42 Unfortunately for him, he was on the hook for a lawsuit by Falinski, which resulted in a settlement around $36,000.43

For obvious reasons, Cleveland’s 1980 ball drop revival did not prompt a flurry of copycat attempts. However, it is undeniable that this kind of stunt has fascinated many people across decades. In a current age of thrill-seeking, “Fear Factor” capers, extreme sports, and viral events, who knows if another entity will be able to plan and cleanly execute another ball drop to captivate the attention of a modern age? There certainly is precedent.

Then again, it may be advisable to trust the judgement of a skeptical Helf when he said in 1984, “No player would try (a stunt) like that today unless there was somebody out there promising a lot of money. And if they stumbled over their feet or something, they’d want to sue the city.”44 

DENNIS LINK has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research since 2007. With the Mack-Allen Philadelphia Chapter, he has helped organize SABR Day and other events. He has also been active in area baseball organizations. Dennis is a Syracuse University graduate and has covered sports professionally for print and TV. He is currently employed full-time as a code administration manager for the City of Philadelphia.

 

Notes

1. Harry Keck, “Gabby Street Caught Ball From Washington Monument, Made Drama,” Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, February 5, 1951.

2. John Kelly, “Yes, Someone Caught a Baseball Thrown from the Washington Monument,” Washington Post, June 27, 2015.

3. Bill Traughber, “Looking Back: Street’s 110th Anniversary Stunt,” MLB.com, August 10, 2018.

4. Eric Chesterton, “How to catch a ball dropped 700 feet from a tower,” MLB.com, April 18, 2020.

5. Trey Strecker, “Billy Sullivan Sr.,” SABR BioProject, https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/biMy-sullivan-jr/. 2006.

6. “Babe Ruth Catches Ball From Airplane; Seventh Attempt Gives Him World’s Record,” New York Times, July 23, 1926.

7. Bob Dolgan, “Drop Zone,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 20, 2003.

8. “Terminal Tower: Cleveland’s Signature Skyscraper,” Cleveland Historical (Gerchak & Souther), September 15, 2010.

9. Daniel Cook and James Toman, Cleveland’s Towering Treasure (Cleveland Landmarks Press, 2005), 76.

10. skyscrapercenter.com, Council on Vertical Urbanism.

11. “1938 Cleveland Indians Statistics,” Baseball-Reference.com.

12. “Pytlak, Helf Nab Hurtling Balls,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 21, 1938.

13. “Players Will Try to Catch Baseball Off 708 Ft. Tower,” Daily Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), August 11, 1938.

14. Dolgan, “Drop Zone.”

15. “World Record Catch Is Broken By Helf,” York Daily News-Times, August 20, 1938.

16. Hal Lebovitz, “Hal Asks.. .How High Is Up?,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 7, 1970.

17. Weldon Hart, “Sport Situation: Out Of The Sky,” Austin American-Statesman, August 20, 1938.

18. “Indians Are Stealing Brooklyn Dodgers’ Stuff,” Beaumont (Texas) Journal, August 20, 1938.

19. Frank Gibbons, “Pytlak and Helf Set High Catch Record,” Cleveland Press, August 20, 1938.

20. “1938 Cleveland Indians Statistics,” Baseball-Reference.com.

21. Lebovitz, “Hal Asks…”

22. “Pytlak, Helf Nab Hurtling Balls.”

23. Lebovitz, “Hal Asks…”

24. Chesterton, “How to Catch a Ball.”

25. Lebovitz, “Hal Asks.”

26. Dolgan, “Drop Zone.”

27. “Pytlak, Helf Nab Hurtling Balls.”

28. Gibbons, “Pytlak and Helf.”

29. “World’s greatest catch brought back to life,” Cleveland Press, May 13, 1980.

30. “Catching High Ball Overated,” Newspaper Enterprise Association (Harry Grayson) report in Evening Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), August 24, 1938.

31. Dolgan, “Drop Zone.”

32. Heritage Auctions website. https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-collectibles/bahs/1938-record-setting-high-catch-baseball-dropped-from-cleveland-s-708-foot-tall-terminal-tower/a/7051-80943.s.

33. “1938 Cleveland Indians Statistics,” Baseball-Reference.com.

34. “Sore Arms Take Heavy Toll In Major Leagues,” International News Service report in Beaumont Journal, August 20, 1938.

35. “1938 Cleveland Indians Statistics,” Baseball-Reference.com.

36. “Remembering a Phillies Stunt,” Philadelphia Inquirer (Frank Fitzpatrick), May 10, 2014.

37. Chesterton, “How to Catch a Ball.”

38. “Indians May Again Throw Ball from Terminal Tower,” Cleveland Press, May, 7, 1980.

39. “World’s Greatest Catch.”

40. “Stepien’s Competitors set date at Cyclops,” News Journal (Mansfield, Ohio), August 3, 1980.

41. “Falling Softballs Injure Two People,” Olathe News, June 25, 1980.

42. Dolgan, “Drop Zone.”

43. “Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Ted Stepien Has Paid $35,875 to Fan,” UPI Archives, February 10, 1982.

44. Al Carter, “Helf’s World Record Is One Only Trivia Buffs Appreciate,” Houston Chronicle, May 28, 1984.