Bring your baseball bat to the Virginia Historical Society

Bring your cleats, baseball cards, uniforms and other baseball memorabilia as well.

February 5, 2014; 2:36 PM • by Richard Hayes

You know that ratty wool baseball uniform you’ve got tucked in the closet that the other person in the house keeps hinting might end up at Goodwill? You can final prove that the closet space wasn’t wasted and what you hold is a piece of American baseball history.

This Saturday, February 8th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm the Virginia Historical Society is hosting a Virginia baseball memorabilia collection drive. Bring your Virginia baseball memorabilia and artifacts to the VHS. During the event, Lee Shepard , vice president for collections and Sallie and William B. Thalhimer III senior archivist, will review items to determine their appropriateness for the VHS collection.

But that’s not all. Special guests Kathy and Richard Verlander, parents of All-Star pitcher Justin Verlander, will jump start the drive with a notable contribution to the VHS collection: a game-worn 2009 All-Star jersey signed by Justin Verlander and a 2011 no-hitter commemorative plaque, framed and numbered by Highland Mint. Kathy and Richard Verlander will be signing their book, Rocks Across the Pond. If books signing aren’t your thing don’t worry, Nutzy will be there with baseball activities.

At 1:00 pm there is a free screening of the film Mickey part of the VCU Southern Film Festival, which the VHS just happens to be a sponsor. Written by best-selling author John Grisham, filmed in Virginia, it stars Harry Connick, Jr. and covers the minefield that is parenting and Little League Baseball. A post-film discussion will follow with the Verlanders and Dawn Blacksten, location manager for Mickey.

Image: Library of Virginia (Richmond Baseball Team. Date: ca. early 20th century. Photographer: Walter Washington Foster)