May 4, 2013

On Saturday, May 4, 2013, 31 loyal members, friends and family of the Larry Dierker/Houston Chapter enjoyed a beautiful evening at Constellation Field where we watched the first place Sugar Land Skeeters win their seventh game in a row. The weather was outstanding as was the meal and several in our party even enjoyed the swimming pool. Thanks to Ira Liebman and Mark Hudek for making the arrangements and reserving our seating in a prime location. We all had a great chance to move around and talk baseball with other SABR friends.

We were very pleased to have some Skeeters executives drop by including our own Tal Smith. Lindsay Kirk, Assistant GM, Ira Liebman who took off an inning or two from his broadcasting duties, Deacon Jones the number one promoter of baseball in the Houston area and M. J. Burns Marketing Communications Director and friend from her Astros days.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, June 10 at the Inn at the Ballpark in Houston starting at 7 PM, when we have lined up Cliff Roberson, Joe Thompson and Mike Davilla to make presentations, with Mike Vance doing the trivia honors.

In between there are 2 other SABR events. On Saturday, May 18, the Houston Babies will be playing a vintage game in Galveston as part of the Galveston Island Beach Review at Beach Central (21st and Seawall) starting at 6:00 PM. There will be a Bathing Beauties Contest (53rd and Seawall) at 2:00 PM and the winner will throw out the first pitch at our game. The beauty contest is free as is our game and the outdoor concert following the game. Please bring your blankets and chairs and be cranks.

In addition the Babies have been invited to demonstrate vintage baseball to the 6th grade History Club at Ulrich Intermediate School on Thursday afternoon May 23rd at 4:00 PM.

Finally, those of you planning to attend the SABR Annual Convention in Philadelphia need to make your reservations ASAP. Hotel rooms are scarce and registration fees escalate as the convention date approaches. We are aware of 4 local members who have already registered and of 3 others who have expressed a desire to attend. Go to SABR.org/convention for details.