January 24, 2012
By JAMES A. ELLIS (sports@leaderherald.com) , The Leader
Herald
With an eye on preserving and informing people of the area's
rich sports history, the Fulton-Montgomery Sports Historical
Society continues to build the framework for an ambitious
project - a local hall of fame and permanent display at the
Fulton County Museum.
"We are currently working on a display at the Fulton
County Museum and developing a timeline on the history of baseball
in Fulton County," Mike Hauser said. "It will start
back with the first game in Gloversville in 1886 and come up
to present day with Derek Himpsl signing and playing in the
minors for the Braves. That will be strictly baseball. We also
are doing a history of Gloversville Little League this year
so there is a baseball theme going on."
Hauser, who is part of the Fulton-Montgomery Sports Historical
Society, also will donate artifacts to the museum and hopes
it will become a permanent display. Hauser also said the group
has reached out to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for advice
and guidance.
"I actually came across a game ball that was affixed
to a trophy from a game that was played here in 1902 with the
JAGS, the Johnstown-Amsterdam team," Hauser said. "I
found that at an estate in Pennsylvania. We are hoping it will
stimulate people to come forward with items, even newspaper
clippings we can make copies of to help record this area's
rich sports history."
The sports historical society is looking to recognize the
achievements of local athletes whose abilities have allowed
them to play professionally or be involved with professional
sports at a national level or be part of a significant collegiate
accomplishment.
"I have been mentioning it when I run into people around
town that I know are interested in sports and I think would
be helpful to the cause and concept," Hauser said. "I
have gotten a real positive feedback about it. The museum is
excited because it will help further showcase Fulton County.
The society is in the process of creating its first class
for the Hall of Fame, which will recognize local athletes'
accomplishments with a plaque that will be housed at the Fulton
County Museum with a duplicate plaque awarded to the honoree.
"The Hall of Fame Planning Committee is looking at anybody
who worked or lived in Fulton County and went on to play professionally
or people who came and honed their skills here in Fulton County," Hauser
said.
Some of the people being considered for the inaugural class
are former Gloversville Glovers Jack McKeon, John Coakley and
Robert Sise; world champion aerial skier Jumpin' Jack Johnston,
Temple University and Philadelphia Eagles running back/linebacker
Dave Smukler and professional racecar driver Dave Troutline.
McKeon is expected to headline the first induction class May
5.
The sports society also is in the planning stages of a project
that will recognize the location of several places and events
that took place in Fulton County.
"We want to start putting historical sports markers around
the area," Hauser said. "The first would be up on
Route 30A where House of Pizza and Walmart are because that
is where the Glovers played their home games," Hauser
said. "Another would be on Harrison Street at Parkhurst
Field, the Little League park, because professional baseball
was played there from 1902 to 1907. Honus Wagner played on
that field, the Pirates played there in 1902, the Red Sox came
there in 1907 and in 1922 the Cincinnati Reds played there
when Gloversville's George Burns brought the team here."
Anybody in the area who is interested in sports history and
willing to help with events or research is asked to contact
Hauser at 725-5565 or by e-mail him at mhauser@frontiernet.net.