Back in Black & White

Clever titles are optional, and feel free to supply your own. But after an exciting season (Visalia was in the playoff race until the final day), we're back with more semi-regular updates. We've also added a second page to the blog (see "Trophy Case" across the top of the page) with everything Visalia has won since entering the California League in 1946. Sure, the club has managed to win the league only twice, but you might be surprised by how many other times they've been agonizingly close. Individual award-winners are also listed, and you might recognize some of the names.

Also, there's this:

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We believe this was taken in the early 50s at the same baseball clinic that this picture is from. Unfortunately, we can't be sure. But it's definitely Rec Park in the old Wooden Grandstand Era. The batter gets points for style and effort; no points, however, for failing to rotate his hips on the swing (or make contact, for that matter). Hey, for all we know, it was a filthy pitch.

Random Gems: Baseball Camp at Rec Park, 1950

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This terrific shot was taken during the Summer of '50, and features a small flotilla of Visalia kids being instructed on the finer points of pitching by Dom Conteras, who pitched two seasons for the Visalia Cubs. The young southpaw on the far left is Art Browning, who has remained a lifelong fan of Visalia baseball and still lives in the area.

You get a good view of Rec Park's old wooden grandstands in the background, along with another group of kids taking infield instruction on the dirt.

Everything about this picture (Conteras' baggy pants, the kids' rolled-up jeans and Converses, the floppy pancake-mitt gloves) is just gold.