Jarry Park Front MK2

Hello Friends!

Tonight I want to share with you another version of the Jarry Park custom I've been working on. 

A couple things I didn't like about the first one was the way the logo looked. The other thing I didn't like was the lettering on the bottom. 

So I tried another version.. 

I may touch it up again, depending on how I feel.. 

So.. Drumroll please..

*drum roll* 

*watches the drum roll down the hallway, hopes nobody gets in the way.. hears it bounce down the stairs... * 

*ahem...*

I think this version looks so much better.. About the only thing I might change would be the border on the top to blue. Otherwise, I love this version. This may actually end up turning into a template if I end up working on a set of stadium cards like I've been thinking about. 

What say you? Do you like this version? Would you change the top part to blue? Or does this work?

EDIT:

I ended up going and trying the blue border on the top.. 

This is what it looks like.. I think it works.. 

Jarry Park has a Back

 Hello Friends!

Last post was the front of the card I made for Jarry Park. I may play with it more to improve it some.. 

But today I created a back for it. 

I'm actually pretty happy about how this turned out..

I think the only thing I don't like is not having that much under the line. 

I will admit, I borrowed the template from this card:

I think if I was using more robust software, I could add things like year by year record and maybe smaller font size.. Though I think some of my friends and fellow collectors may like the font they don't need a magnifying glass for.. 

(sorry)

So, what say you? How was my attempt at the creation? Once I get more confortable/back on a better machine, I may try doing more freehand stuff.. Until then this is wonderful for me. 

First Attempt

 Hello Friends!

Well, I've had ideas bouncing around in my head for a while. One of those was to create a set of Stadium custom cards. 

Tonight was my first attempt. I just created the front.. I'm likely going to go back and do another try later 

But... Here it is

I borrowed the bottom design from a Stuart Bakery Expos set. Since it was vertical, I had to rearrange the lines and logo to a horizontal configuration. I'm not 100% sold on the font and debating on if I take another kick at the can, to actually put the logo on, rather than have it as part of the background. And maybe have a bit of a border around the picture.. 

So, dear readers.. What say you? I'm also thinking about what to create for the back of the card. 

Canadian Minor League Baseball

 Hello Friends!

I just finished the book Canadian Minor League Baseball: A History Since WWII

It details the year by year results and happenings for the Canadian based teams in the different minor leagues. 

The start documents the International League's teams in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. (Toronto and Montreal lasted much longer than Ottawa)

Obviously we know Jackie Robinson got his start in "Organized Baseball" in Montreal. There were many Brooklyn Dodgers stars that went through Montreal, really too many to mention, though it is interesting to see names like Gene Mauch, Roland Gladu, Al Campanis, Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Duke Snider, Tommy Lasorda, and Roy Hartsfield.

Really there seems to be a number of managers that played for the Royals. Hartsfield, Mauch, Lasorda, and Sparky Anderson. 

The Royals were affiliated with the Dodgers until the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, putting their affiliation in Spokane. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the complete opposite. They had affiliations with the Phillies, Athletics, Browns, Indians, and stints as an unaffiliated team. 

Leon Day played for the Leafs. As did Elston Howard, Sparky Anderson (who also started his managing career here) Chuck Tanner, Mack Jones, Bobby Knoop, Dennis Menke, Rico Carty and Phil Roof. 

(Interesting that Carty and Roof played for both the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jays) 

By time 1967 rolled around, attendance and stadium issues caused the team to be sold and moved to Louisville.

Other Leagues mentioned were the ManDak, Western International League, Northern League, PONY, The Provincial League (run in Quebec) Eastern League, NYP, the Independent Northern League, American Association (current), Frontier League, Northeast/Can-Am League, Northwest League, Pioneer League, and Pacific Coast League. 

Things I found out through the book:

Canadians were very hospitable to black players

The Canadian Baseball League maybe needed more time to plan and get things together before trying to run.. 

Booms and lulls boiled down to the economy, people having options for entertainment, and weather. 

Edmonton and Calgary will probably never see another minor league team

Nation capitals seem to not be very great at hosting teams.. (Ottawa had a number of minor league teams both in Organized and Independent ball that never really got off the ground) 

One team in London was going to be called the Rippers.. Until backlash hit. Then they became the Werewolves. 

If you enjoy reading about minor league teams and want to learn more about it in a Canadian angle, this book can be insightful. 

Until next time!