1946
Bob Feller served faithfully in World War II while in the prime of his major league career. Feller was able to play baseball in the military intermittently during his stint that began when he heard of the Pearl Harbor bombing and immediately enlisted in the Navy. In March of 1942 he began playing for the training base team in Norfolk, Va. He volunteered for gunnery school and after training remained in Norfolk assigned to the USS Alabama. He was able to play sporadically while assigned to the Alabama. Finally, shipped to the Pacific Theatre, the Alabama saw some significant action until returning to the states in January of ’45. From there he was assigned to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station where he took over managing the base team from Mickey Cochrane. On August 21, 1945 Feller was discharged and returned to the Indians.
Feller teamed with Ray Doan who was said to have organized the first baseball school in the country to organize a baseball school for war veterans trying to return to pro baseball. The school would be free to veterans, and the pair was looking at either Brownsville, Texas or St. Petersburg, Florida. The school was intended to open in mid-January, 1946 and last three weeks.
Brownsville appeared to be eliminated early as a press release days later stated that St. Petersburg would be the site of the camp. Returning war veterans whether they were already signed or not were invited. Young men between 17 and 21 years of age could attend also provided they had the recommendation of a sports editor from any paper in the country. The time frame of the school was then listed as the last week of January and the first two weeks of February.
By late November, the city of Bradenton, on the south side of Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg was asked by the Feller group to provide a field and lodging to help handle the overflow in St. Petersburg. The Chamber of Commerce took up the issue and came up with a commitment to allow the use of the armory in town. However, this offer came with a string attached. The school would be charged $1 per man, per day with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 65 men. Hotels could provide another 25 beds although the rates were not disclosed. The chamber also advised that the “colored” park nearby the armory could be utilized as the extra field. What turned out to be the actual dates was listed in the article as January 20 to February 12. It turned out that even with the Bradenton option, St. Petersburg still could not supply enough housing for the operation. It was announced on December 1, by A. K. Dickinson, director of the Tampa Tourist and Convention Bureau that the school would be hosted in Tampa at Cuscaden Park. Feller would be in charge, but other major leaguers would participate as instructors. Prospects were expected to pay for their own transportation and housing during their stay. Sports editor recommendations for players to attend were to be funneled through The Sporting News.
Cuscaden Park was built as a WPA project in the 1930’s. The ballfield primarily served cigar factory workers of Spanish, Cuban and Italian heritage. Hall of Famer Al Lopez played games with local teams there. The fathers of future major leaguers Lou Piniella and David Magadan took over as a team’s coaching staff during the war. Tony La Russa also used the park. The minor league Tampa Smokers as well as Negro teams used the ballpark at times.
The School opened on January 20th with 160 prospects, nearly all former service men. Only about 20 had prior minor league experience. Feller was assisted by Buddy Hassett, Charley “King Kong” Keller and Rollie Helmsley of the Yankees, Hugh Mucahy of the Phillies, Buck Walters, (Reds), Tommy Bridegs, (Tigers), Ernie Kish, (Athletics) and Stan Andrews of the Hollywood Stars. Feller said he anticipated Dizzy Dean and Joe DiMaggio to show there to instruct also. Sessions were held 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM seven days per week for the duration of the camp.
The final count of campers ended up at 186. Fourteen of 16 major league teams had scouts in attendance plus at least four minor league teams also sent scouts. A total of 66 players were signed to professional contracts as a result of camp attendance. Feller was very pleased with the overall operation. The weather was exceptional, only wiping out one-half day of practice.
Instructors that showed in addition to the above listed were Rudy Baski of the White Sox, Spud Chandler of the Yankees and Heinie Mueller of the Phillies. A highlight for the campers came January 31 when the venerable Connie Mack, in the first year of his winter residency in St. Petersburg made an appearance at the camp. Mack spent time looking over the camp and speaking with instructors. In the same Feb, 1 article, Feller said that at least a dozen players would sign directly with class A or B teams while the rest would be signed to C or D team contracts. Feller mentioned an unidentified player received a $4,000 bonus. Another player, outfielder Harold “Hal” Bamberger, in1948 would appear in seven games for the New York Giants.