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Grand Rapids Chick Inez Voyce dispels AAGPBL movie glamor

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I found this 1947 candid of Voyce, courtesy of the Grand Rapids Public Museum website!
I found this 1947 candid of Voyce, courtesy of the Grand Rapids Public Museum website!

I’m on a mission.

After co-writing a new book about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, I’ve wanted to reach as many of these surviving players as possible.

I’m pleased to say 90-year-old Inez “Lefty” Voyce (a U.S. Navy veteran!) replied in just three weeks. Yes, she included her nickname in the signature.

The best part of her letter?

Q: What do you remember about your 1946 tryout in Mississippi?

A: Lots of bugs.

On second thought, a creepy-crawly scene like that might be great for a movie about the league, or the highly-publicized new AAGPBL musical!

My favorite March Madness BASEBALL reply

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Sorry about that bracket…

From the archives…

I hope you’ll check out the last line of what Herb Plews wrote me a few years ago.

Don’t assume the former baseball player follows only baseball. Write of their birthplace, hometown, college connection…whatever it takes. For me, my return address brought an inspiring aside about the Northern Iowa Panthers.

Celebrating 1,000 posts with a new site!

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He batted 1.000. Plus, he blogs. Learn more at www.John Paciorek.com

At last!

“Baseball By The Letters” has its own home now, thanks to Steve and Vicki Palmquist, the talents behind Winding Oak. 

The Archives awaits, with posts dating back to 2010. I’m just getting moved in. I’m grateful to all my Blogspot followers, and hope you’ll sign up for lots more fun. Look for me twice weekly. Play ball!

 

Don’t “Dupe” Players With Duplicates

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The new fall TV season isn’t in full swing yet. Therefore, if this seems like a rerun to some, I’m sorry.

I feel the need to recap an important message, however.

I still see notations on hobby forums, to the tune of: “Signed 9 of 9. Said he could keep extras…”

There’s an urge to hope that a vague offer will be missed in the letter. Then, the willing signer will autograph everything in sight. That gives the iffy giver trading stock.

That’s not fair, in my eyes.

Mark any extras with a post-it note. “Extra, for you.”

Then, add a SPECIFIC explanation. “Even if you don’t collect cards for your friends and family, here’s some extras marked. Please, keep them and share them with other fans who haven’t been as lucky.”

Or, as Christmas nears, ask the player to reward someone with the extras.

Retirees who go to the copy shop and make homemade cards for fan mail responses melt my heart. Help them help others.

Asking For Hobby Heroes

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We can learn a lot from each other.

That’s why I’ve always sought the stories of other collectors.

It’s not always been easy!

Some hobbyists fear having the size of their collections revealed. Nope. I don’t want to play ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Or “Price is Right.” I’d rather have an idea of the emotional value of your autographs — not your net worth.

Nor will I ask, “How much have you spent collecting?” It’s not my job to make your family faint.

I want to find collectors with unique specialties. I want to know how they set goals. Have they ever corresponded with retired players? What’s the best question they get answered by mail?

Nominate a hobby hero. I’ll seek them out and try to convince them to share their story.

Reach me at baseballbytheletters [at] gmail dot com. Thanks!