Charles J. Adams, III

After re-reading Baseball in Reading, I decided it was time to read Tales from Baseballtown : vignettes from the stories history of baseball in Reading, Pennsylvania by local author and retired radio personality, Charlie Adams. He has researched old baseball stories (most being from the early era of baseball) and introduces us to the players (both pro and amateur), owners, teams, stadiums and more. There is even a section on a barnstorming tour with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig that stopped in Reading, playing at Lauer's Park, a minor league stadium. The most amazing story was about Al Lawson. Most know him as the founder of the Lawsonian religion and an inventor, but he also managed a baseball team in Reading. Charlie recounts a story about an airship (very much like a blimp) flying over the ball field during a game in 1907 when he was managing. It gave him the idea to build the world's first airliner. "The Leonardo da Vinci of kooks" is the description given of Lawson in the book. There are stories of William Whitman, who built two baseball stadiums and also the Pagoda which sits atop Mount Penn.

There are illustrations and photos galore as well as facsimiles of ads, companies who sponsored early baseball. A portion of the proceeds of the book go to Baseballtown Charities, established for youth baseball. They have built or renovated several parks in the area as well as establishing a dream league for kids with physical disabilities so they have "a league of their own.".

The book is a fun read and, by purchasing a copy, you will support a most worthy cause.… (más)

Charlie Adams has added to the Images of baseball series with his book, Baseball in Reading. He uses photos from the Historical Society of Berks County, the Reading Phillies organization, and many photographers in the area. Charlie introduces each chapter and writes captions for the photographs.

Baseball is covered from the early days of minor league ball, the stadiums, the youth leagues, the famous players who either lived or played in Reading up to the current minor league team, the Reading Phillies. As an added treat, the words to Charlie's "There's a game tonight in Baseballtown" are included.

It is fitting that proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Historical Society and Baseballtown Charities. In fact, a grant from Baseballtown Charities helped build the little league field at Lauer's Park Elementary School, once the site of Lauer's Park minor league stadium.… (más)