Baseballtown Charities benefits from annual dinner

Reading, PA – The annual King of Baseballtown dinner, which coincided with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Winter Tour’s stop in Reading, raised over $13,000 for Baseballtown Charities last week. The dinner was held on January 24 at the Sheraton Wyomissing and was attended by 560 people. Proceeds were derived from ticket sales, raffles, silent and live auctions. 

"Once again the Philadelphia Phillies and the great R-Phils fans collaborated for a successful banquet to benefit Baseballtown Charities and all of the great causes that it contributes to," said Chuck Domino, President of both the R-Phils and Baseballtown Charities. 

Baseballtown Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2002. It is dedicated to honoring Reading’s rich baseball history and securing its baseball future by giving more kids, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity, the chance to play baseball and learn from the game’s life lessons. Complete registration and financial information of Baseballtown Charities can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-800-732-0999.

The highlight of the dinner was the appearance by members of the defending National League East Champions who were represented by center fielder Shane Victorino, closer Brad Lidge, set-up man J.C. Romero, manager Charlie Manuel, assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle, director, minor leagues Steve Noworyta and Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. 

The Phillie Phanatic and members of Reading’s mascot team were also a hit. 

Ruth Hartman, a Limekiln resident and former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League alum who played for the Fort Wayne Daisies and Racine Belles during the 1940s, was crowned Queen of Baseballtown. The AAGPBL existed from 1943-1954 and was the inspiration behind the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own”. She also coached on the scholastic level for many years.

Baseballtown’s first Queen, Hartman followed a long line of Kings who were previously honored: Reading native and Boston Red Sox icon, the late “Broadway” Charlie Wagner (2003); former Reading Indian and long-time Reading High coach Paul “Cooter” Jones (2004); former Major Leaguer, front office executive and scout Dick Gernert (2005); fast-pitch softball manager Rocky Santilli, who owns 2,000+ wins in local, national and international competition (2006); and Francis “Ducky” Turner, longtime stadium improvement activist (2007).

In 2006 Baseballtown Charities realized a dream that accomplished both of its goals when Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer’s Park opened in Reading. The $850,000 youth ballpark is located behind Lauer’s Park Elementary School, which was named for the former stadium that housed several professional teams and hosted barnstorming tours from 1907-1941. Babe Ruth and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson both played there. Gordon Hoodak is the principal of Lauer’s Park Elementary School. 

Gordon Hoodak Stadium is the home field of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club’s RBI leagues (Revitalizing Baseball in the Inner City) and has rekindled interest in baseball among inner-city youth. In the ballpark’s two seasons of existence, participation in the league has nearly doubled. 

According to olivetbgc.org, of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club’s 5,800+ members, 84% come from families that live at or below the national poverty line.

This story was posted on January 29, 2008