A BRIEF HISTORY

Back in 1988, former Major League pitcher Bob Feller visited Britain. One evening, in the company of several retired ball players, Bob spoke about his involvement in 'Old Timer' baseball in America. That sowed the seed for the creation of the Old Timers Baseball Club with Bob Feller accepting the position of Honorary Life President. Barry Mayfield, who since 1952 had been an active player in British baseball, immediately began putting down the foundations for the club and commenced a recruitment campaign. Within a few weeks, he had sufficient numbers to form a playing team.

In the first year, the minimum age to become a member of the Old Timers Baseball Club was 50. The team would play demonstration or friendly games on Saturdays, mainly concentrated in the southeast of England. Being the formative year, the Club only played one game, and that was a game of softball, which they lost. But in the following year, they became competitive and won 11 of their 18 games. The teams' home ground from 1988 to 1990 was in Rosehill, Sutton, Surrey. During this time, the Club became more established and travelled further distances to play different teams, show-off their extra-ordinary abilities, make new friends, and generally have a good time. Over the years, the Club has played in Lancashire, Devon, Birmingham, Mildenhall, Norwich, Somerset, Germany and Holland in addition to most baseball grounds in and around London. The players are always well supported by wives, friends, and family wherever they go.

The Club moved it's home ground to the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall in Twickenham, Middlesex (near the rugby stadium) in 1991 before settling at the superb facilities at the St. George's Playing Field in Enfield, Middlesex in 1997. Every year since it's inception, the Old Timers Baseball Club has held an Annual Presentation Dinner. At the end of the season, this semi-formal gathering provides the club with the opportunity to enjoy arguing over that dropped fly ball, toast the Queen, toast the Ladies, listen to fascinating speeches, and present trophies for various on and off the field achievements. The club has also organised the annual Old Timers Memorial Tournament since 1995. Normally held on the August Bank Holiday, the Old Timers and selected teams compete for the trophy. During the event, a one-minute silence is taken to think of members who are no longer with us. The club is now one of the most famous in British baseball and they play an important role in the game in this country. The Old Timers are always willing to give new teams and junior teams a game and offer them experience when asked. In addition, the club has always been very well organised under the guidance of enthusiastic administrators. Long may it continue.