A Generous Gift From Base Ball Pioneers 1850-1870

Some time back, to my surprise, I received an email from McFarland Publishing stating that I would be receiving half of the royalties for an upcoming baseball book. The funds that I would be receiving were to go to my baseball memorial series titled, “David Stalker’s Early Baseball and Deadball Era Memorial Series.” All I had to do was accept this generous offer.

The book, which is now available, by McFarland Publishing is titled, “The Clubs and Players Who Spread the Sport Nationwide BASE BALL PIONEERS 1850-1870.” Edited by Peter Morris, William J. Ryczek, Jan Finkel, Leonard Levin and Richard Malatzky.

I first met baseball historian Peter Morris back in 2009 in Paw Paw, Michigan. He accepted an invitation to speak at the dedication for the Killefer Brothers monument, which may be viewed in beautiful downtown Paw Paw.

Peter saw first hand how much the memorial meant to the Killefer Family, the community and donors. Most importantly, he saw how the brothers Bill and Wade were being honored and remembered forever in stone.

It was Peter’s suggestion to send half the royalties to my project. The other half is going to SABR’s Negro League Memorial Project, which places markers at the graves of former Negro League players.

Purchasing this outstanding book is a wonderful way to donate towards two non-profit projects working hard to preserve baseball history. I know this will be a very popular book for fans of the game, and of American History in general. I hope that those ordering will take into consideration a nice donation to their local library or historical society as well.

This book contains well-researched early baseball history from a highly skilled group, for places such as Connecticut, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Maryland and The District of Columbia. Chapters also included for St. Louis, Louisville, Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay area.

I am extremely grateful and appreciative to Peter Morris and the many who joined him making this book possible, and to receive royalties in care of the Early Baseball and Deadball Era Memorial Series. I think of all the long hours put into this book, and then so generously given away for the game they love. I accepted this gift, and am extremely excited over possibilities it creates. This will help me continue unveiling beautiful baseball memorials to various communities, possibly one near you.