On this date in 1950, nearly 1,000 kids enjoyed two days of baseball instruction, games, and treats with the Fargo-Moorhead Twins at the Fargo Forum baseball school’s lively finale.
Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:
1,000 Boys And Girls At Ball School Windup
Hot dogs, ice cream and pop went down the throats of nearly 1,000 boys and girls Thursday on the last day of the two-day Fargo Forum baseball school.
But those refreshments didn’t find a landing spot until after Art Doll and his Fargo-Moorhead Twins baseball team had given not only verbal instruction, but actual play on the Barnett field diamond.
For nearly 1½ hours the regular infield of the Twins worked with the youngsters interested in those positions.
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The Twins infield showed how it was done and then the lads would get a chance to try it themselves.
There were a few wild throws by the participants, some of them so small they couldn’t get the ball across from third to first still in the air.
But after each infield “pepper” the Twins regulars would stop and explain the proper handling of the ball, and how and where the ball should have been thrown.
Meanwhile, the left-handed and the right-handed pitching enthusiasts were given individual instructions.
Don Corcoran, Twins center fielder, had a base-running school going out where he patrols during regular games.
Frank Noble, in left field, had a large group of followers there, and when Doll, the manager, heard a bunch of youngsters running against the fence, he commented:
“Noble must be teaching the boys to climb the fence after long hits.” There were more dogs, and even a cat at the school Thursday. Only two dogs were there Wednesday. More parents came along, and there were more spectators — and certainly more enthusiasm.
Pete Peatros, still out of uniform but without his cane, was again on hand at first base most of the time. When “big” first baseman work was to be done, Jay Stasko stepped into the breach. But while the “little” first basemen were doing the catching and throwing, Peatros was leaning in right close to point out the rights and wrongs.
There were no leftovers in the refreshment department. In fact, the hot dogs ran out before all were served. But an additional 20 pounds gave everyone at least two apiece and, after everyone had been served ice cream and pop by surrendering their tickets, the remainder was put out for “grabs” and served until there was no more left.
The only leftovers from the “lost and found department” were a green checked plaid wool shirt and a red and white baseball cap, which may be claimed at the sports department of The Fargo Forum.
A photo featured in The Forum, as it appeared on August 18, 1950. Newspapers.com
No less than a half dozen mitts and gloves were lost and found. Even a wristwatch was turned in and claimed by its owner.
For parents, it might be said that the kids wanted to have baseball school again next summer.
There might have been a bit more noise than on Wednesday, but there were more there by actual count — 989 by the tally tickets given out for hot dogs, ice cream and pop.
And there was another ticket in the bunch for the boys and girls — that for the game last night between the Fargo-Moorhead Twins and the St. Cloud Rox.
Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.