Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.
The loving biography of a dedicated mother in Cleveland, Ohio, who started America’s first boys’ baseball league during the Great Depression.
 
At twelve years old, Josephine Morhard left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. After settling in Cleveland, she survived two bad marriages and became a single mother to two young children. When her spirited son started getting into trouble, she came up with a novel plan to give him the structure and sense of purpose he needed. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys’ baseball league in America.
 
Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Future baseball legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys’ skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz pitched in as an umpire; and they were even allowed to play in historic League Park.
 
As Josephine’s Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she helped them develop strong values and a sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, even made it to the Minor Leagues. Mrs. Morhard and the Boys tells the unforgettable story of her dedication and lasting legacy.
1128801719
Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.
The loving biography of a dedicated mother in Cleveland, Ohio, who started America’s first boys’ baseball league during the Great Depression.
 
At twelve years old, Josephine Morhard left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. After settling in Cleveland, she survived two bad marriages and became a single mother to two young children. When her spirited son started getting into trouble, she came up with a novel plan to give him the structure and sense of purpose he needed. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys’ baseball league in America.
 
Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Future baseball legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys’ skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz pitched in as an umpire; and they were even allowed to play in historic League Park.
 
As Josephine’s Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she helped them develop strong values and a sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, even made it to the Minor Leagues. Mrs. Morhard and the Boys tells the unforgettable story of her dedication and lasting legacy.
17.49 In Stock
Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.

Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.

by Ruth Hanford Morhard
Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.

Mrs. Morhard and the Boys: One mother's vision. The first boys' baseball league. A nation inspired.

by Ruth Hanford Morhard

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Overview

The loving biography of a dedicated mother in Cleveland, Ohio, who started America’s first boys’ baseball league during the Great Depression.
 
At twelve years old, Josephine Morhard left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. After settling in Cleveland, she survived two bad marriages and became a single mother to two young children. When her spirited son started getting into trouble, she came up with a novel plan to give him the structure and sense of purpose he needed. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys’ baseball league in America.
 
Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Future baseball legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys’ skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz pitched in as an umpire; and they were even allowed to play in historic League Park.
 
As Josephine’s Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she helped them develop strong values and a sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, even made it to the Minor Leagues. Mrs. Morhard and the Boys tells the unforgettable story of her dedication and lasting legacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780806538891
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: 02/26/2019
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 352
File size: 3 MB

About the Author

Ruth Hanford Morhard holds a Certificate in Creative Nonfiction from Stanford University. As head of Ruth Reid & Company, her day job is marketing and communications consultant to national and regional institutions. She has been a senior executive with major philanthropic and arts institutions and has taught public relations writing. Morhard lives in Chardon, Ohio, with her husband Al, son of Josephine Morhard.

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Big Day 1

I Early Life 7

1 A Cruel Winter 9

2 The Early Years 18

3 Making a Decision 34

II Struggles 43

4 On Her Own 45

5 Bright Lights 59

6 The Promoter 73

7 The Butcher 89

8 Another Try, And Another 96

9 Hard Times 109

10 The Game 115

III Baseball 129

11 Idea 131

12 Fourteen Little Indians 147

13 Growing Pains 159

14 Baseball Idols 164

15 They Will Come 173

16 The Junior American League 180

17 The Junior National League 190

18 Conflicts Abroad 198

19 The Little World Series 206

IV The Final Inning 217

20 Wartime Brings the End 219

21 The Reunion 233

Epilogue: The Old Ball Fields 234

About this Book 249

Acknowledgments 251

Notes 253

About the Author 278

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