Sports feeds
E-mail sports alerts
SNS sports mobileSpringfield/Clark County Baseball Hall of Fame
Journell tops the 2008 induction class
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The 2008 class of the Springfield/Clark County Baseball Hall of Fame includes a former big-leaguer, a 40-year plus umpire, a highly successful youth coach and two of the area's finest teams from the past.
The three individual inductees are Jimmy Journell, Bill Carter and James "Jinx" Manuel.
Extras
Journell's baseball career was side-tracked by arm injuries but not before ascending to baseball's highest level of excellence, the major leagues.
From North High School to All-American honors at the University of Illinois to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2003 and 2005, he was once listed by "Baseball America" as the Cardinals' No. 1 prospect.
Carter began umpiring in the 1940s and was called by some "the best ball and strike umpire" in the area. He was also an accomplished tennis player.
The late James "Jinx" Manual coached as many as three youth baseball teams at a time, beginning in the 1950s. Manual coached at least six of the Springfield/Clark County Baseball Hall of Fame members and most give him the credit for their baseball development.
In the team section, the 1953 New Carlisle Morris Ford and the 1978-79 Pabst Royals will be honored as two of Clark County's past greats.
The New Carlisle contingent won the 1953 National Baseball Congress men's state and regional tournaments before finishing 17th in the World Series. The Royals were one of the three Bill Mote and Bill Joseph's NABF World Series winners in the Majors Division in 1978, winning 62 consecutive games over the two seasons.
The induction banquet will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the UAW Local 402 Hall at 3756 Urbana Road. A guest speaker from the Cincinnati Reds will be on hand as part of the program.
The tickets for the buffet meal and program are $14 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger. They are available beginning Nov. 20 at the National Trail Parks and Recreation District Office located at 1301 Mitchell Blvd., Springfield.
For additional information call Mark Miller at (937) 328-3452 or (937) 399-6750.
