The American Association Almanac

It's been a few weeks since I was finally able to get Volume 7, Number 1 of the American Association Almanac out the door. The big surprise was that I just happened to hit the exact first date of the new postal rate hike increase. So instead of it costing me 80 cents to send each issue to my roughly 100 subscribers, it cost me $1.38. Not sure how long I can sustain this business with costs like those. Needless to say there will be a rate increase starting with the summer issue which will be announced in a future blog here. This is a very dense issue. Basic Facts for Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2008 The title is "Red Bird Stadium in Columbus, Ohio: A Comprehensive Early History." 63 pages; 34,000+ words Set in Garamond 10 pt. One-column format; a departure from the two-column format I've been using the last few years. 35 separate references listed. Cost: $8.00 (you're getting your money's worth) Table of Contents includes: Player Introductions Attendance Trends Backg...

KEN ASH “And now, ladies and gentlemen, here are your starting lineups for this afternoon’s ball game...” The deep-voiced public address announcer sent his richly hued sound waves reverberating through the humming grandstand on a sweltering late spring day at Columbus’s brand new ballpark. Calling fans to its attention, the resonant voice was as welcoming as a lighthouse spotlight to a wayfaring ship. It welcomed baseball fans from near and far who were milling about the grandstand, settling into their seats, and waiting expectantly for the grand occasion of the day to get underway. It represented the start of a new and hopeful era in Columbus as played out upon a virgin sea of green. Friday, June 3, 1932. The day had finally arrived. A heat wave engulfed the city. Temperature reports on city streets reached the mid-90’s by midday, although the...