Historic Hood River
Donkey Baseball
12-21-2016
Notes
On June 18th, 1935 the Crag Rats and the Hood River Fire Department engaged in a spirited game of “donkey baseball” at the fields of the Hood River High School. Don’t ask me how the game worked or who won, but it looks like a good crowd showed up to watch.
This is a good reminder of this evening’s rescheduled “Sense of Place” lecture on the history of the Crag Rats. Click through the link for program details.
Charlott
I have seen this photo before. Must have been an event well worth seeing.
There is one I am sure is Bob Feller. (Not sure if I have the last name spelled correctly). If you see the man with the bow tie on and the dress hat, Bob is in front between the two donkeys. I know he did a lot of climbing and hiking with my Dad, as recall Dad talking about him on a number of occasions. I don’t know what year, but he died very young, and I don’t know, but it was possibly cancer.
I feel quite certain that the guy squatting in front is Danny Pierson. Why he isn’t in a Crag Rat shirt I don’t know. Maybe he wasn’t a member yet or did play for the other team.
I know there has to be Annala’s and Hukari’s in there, but some one with better knowledge than me, might be able to identify.
Charlott
I misspelled the name. It was Bob Fuller, not Feller.
Crag Rats also played baseball on skis in 1934.
Buzz
Attended a donkey baskerball game when young. Amazing they could travel around small town America and make it work financially.
L.E.
The hat worn by the third man from the left?
Military?
Charlott
Does look like an American Legion cap, but he looks too young for WWI and WWII had not happened yet.
Arthur
We have a "key" with most of the names. Charlott is correct in identifying Bob Fuller. The man with the cap is Harold Blackman. The cap has the number "22" on it, and to his right (our left) is Mayor Herman Kresse. That’s fire chief John Volstorff on his other side. The man squatting in the front is identified as "George Ike Mills". Some of the names don’t match other photos we have of these people, so I suspect they are a bit scrambled. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t bother transcribing, but if anyone is looking for a relative ask me and I can check.
nels
The men in charge of the donkeys are each a character unto themselves.
L.E.
Just returned from the evening program about the Crag Rats, presented by Christopher Van Tilburg.
This feature in the HR News, shows that 90 years ago the Crag Rats was a group of mountain climbing volunteers, rescuing those in trouble, and tonights presentation showed us they are still a group of plaid shirts rescuing those in trouble in some nasty situations.
1926 "” 90 years ago
"Last Sunday, members of the Hood River Crag Rats were all set to scale Wind Mountain when it was reported by one of the "Rats" that 40 tons of vinegar apples were at the Ralph Jarvis ranch, ready to be hauled to the vinegar plant, and nobody ready to haul them. Mr. Jarvis was making preparations to haul these apples when death called him. The Crag Rats at once postponed the mountain trip and, with a couple of trucks loaned by the Annala boys, became as active as the animals from which they derive their name. Every apple was delivered at the vinegar plant by noon on Sunday. The Jarvis family are very grateful to the Crag Rats for the kindly through which prompted their quick action."
Once again, I would like to thank Arthur and HHR. Because of this site, I was familiar with the plaid shirts, Cloud Cap, Legion climbs, and a lone rock chimney.
charlott
I goofed again about Danny Pierson, but anyone who knew him would see a strong resemblance.
Harold Blackman was one of my great-aunt’s boyfriend for many years.
Ralph Jarvis died on 2 November 1926 and was only 47 at the time of his passing. He was the brother of Harry Jarvis, who in turn was the father of Martha "Sue" Jarvis who was married to John Weber of Odell.
I have an inkling that the man in the white hat holding the donkey was either the owner/manager/trainer of the string of donkey’s used for these games.
L.E.
American Legion Hood River Post # 22
http://hoodriverpost22.org