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.
OTBC AWARD WINNERS
1989 'Baby of the Team' - George Simmons (aged 50)
1989 'Team Manager's' - Jean & Peter Crook
1989 'To Our Founder' - Barry Mayfield
1989 'Clubman of the Year' - Gordon Faithfull
1990 'Eye Patch' - George Simmons
1990 'A-Z' - Dave Richards
1990 'Torch' - Dave Butcher
1991 'Clubman of the Year' - John Thomas
1991 'Supporter of the Year' - Eileen Mayfield
1991 'To Our Manager' - Derek Phillips
1991 'Oldest Rookie' -Neil Vanstone
1992 'Outstanding Services' - Jean Crook
1992 'Clubman of the Year' - George Simmons
1992 'The Kite' - Barry Mayfield
1993 'Supporter of the Year' - Maureen Marshall
1993 'New Foot' - Goff Phillips
1994 'Clubman of the Year' - Jim Mayfield
1994 'Veteran Player' - Chuck Cole & Terry O'Farrell
1994 'Supporters' - Marie Sullivan
1995 'Most Valuable Player' - George Simmons & Neil Vanstone
1995 'Services to Baseball' - Brian Holland
1995 'Umpiring' - John Domin
1995 'Iron Horse' - Goff Phillips
1996 'Top Pitcher' - George Simmons
1996 'Top Batter' - Malcolm Barwick
1996 'Top Fielder' - Peter Crook
1996 'Special' - Joan & Ron Marshall
1996 'Founders Trophy' - Jean Crook
1997 'Top Pitcher' - George Simmons
1997 'Top Batter' - Paul Raybould
1997 'Top Fielder' - Peter Crook
1997 'To Our Manager' - Terry Warner
1997 'Special' - Jim Mayfield
1997 'Founders Trophy' - Peter Crook
1998 'Top Pitcher' - George Simmons
1998 'Top Batter' - Paul Raybould
1998 'Top Fielder' - Peter Crook
1998 'Swatters' - John Mahoney
1998 'High Miler' - Stewart Watt
1998 'Memorial Tournament Umpire' - John Dornin
1998 'Squeeze Tournament MVP' - Tony Smyth
1998 'Founders Trophy' - George Simmons
1999 'Top Pitcher' -Neil Vanstone
1999 'Top Batter' - George Simmons
1999 'Top Fielder' - Peter Crook
1999 'Special' - Brian Holland
1999 'Founders Trophy' - Mike Harrold
2000 'Top Pitcher' - Tony Smyth
2000 'Top Batter' Ray Reynolds
2000 'Top Fielder' - John Thomas
2000 'Top Rookie' - Richard Gerrard
2000 'Versatility' - Jean Crook
2000 'Founders Trophy' - Terry Warner
2000 'Special' - 'Curly' Bailor
2000 'Loyalty' - Peter Crook
2001 'Top Pitcher' - Paul Raybould
2001 'Top Batter' -Norman Laing
2001 'Top Fielder' - Peter Crook
2001 'Top Rookie' - Colin Ramsell
2001 'Take One For the Team' - Ray Reynolds
2001 'Kamikaze' - Phil Laing
2001 'John Mahoney Trophy' - Jim Mayfield
2001 'Founders Trophy' - Ray Reynolds
OTBC MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT WINNERS
1995-OLD TIMERS
1996-OLD TIMERS
1997 - BOURNEMOUTH BEES
1998-OLD TIMERS
1999 - CITY SLICK SIDEWINDERS
2000 - CITY SLICK SIDEWINDERS
2001 - BUSHEY FALCONS