Immigrants who brought their families, their trades, their dreams of prosperity and their search for freedom from religious persecution to North America are also credited with bringing their recreational activities with them. Over time, well-known bat-and-ball games evolved into what some consider our national pastime, baseball.

Early settlers of our village were no different than thousands across the nation, enthusiastically being engaged in the development of every town's favorite fanatical sport. Baseball's growth was slow and steady until the 'boom years'

In Peebles, like many other towns, the sport's popularity seemed to parallel the development of the automotive transportation industry. It became much easier for your team to get to away games and other teams to travel to your town. Your opponents could now be found beyond your back yard and beyond your home town.

Over time, rules also became unified and equipment standardized. The number of organized amateur clubs multiplied in the 1830's and 40's. Popularity grew, resulting in the establishment of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1858.

As baseball fever caught on, a group of local men saw the need to organize. They also saw the potential opportunities from establishing the activity as a business. The Peebles Tigers Baseball Team was formed in 1928 by Barkley Butler, manager of a local creamery. He became Business Manager/Secretary of the club. Issac T. Mabrey was elected president. C. F. Condon was chosen playing manager and vice president with W. D. McCann as treasurer. There were other men and women throughout the years who also contributed to the organization by serving on the management team.

Scorecards from the early years provide a large list of Peebles players: Thomas, Ewick, Smith, Gardner, Setty, Thomas, Gaffin, Riffle, McMillen, Backus, McClure, Stephenson, Shelton, Wilmoth, Hoop, Wolford, Matheney, Petit, Trefz, Robuck, Kemmeter, Kidders, Richmond, Lyons, Van Meter and many more. A small core of regular players are named. A larger list can be compiled of those only mentioned a few times each.

Many names are recognized as being merchants in the village. Quite a few games were scheduled for Sunday afternoons, a time when family members were spending time together, taking time from the busy activities of the week, and a time when most businesses were closed. There weren't many who could afford to be away from their place of business on the weekdays to play or attend the games. Holidays were also a favorite time to head to the ballpark for recreational activities.

Opponents found named in newspaper reports included: The Fullerton Giants, Lucasville All-Stars, Adams County All-Stars, Rarden Universals, Otway Black Sox, Beaver, McDermott, Lynchburg, Huntington All-Stars, Sardinia All-Stars, and the Gilbert Grocery Company of Portsmouth. The Peebles Tigers team also traveled to West Union, Manchester and Waverly and even participated in a series of games played at Coney Island (Cincinnati). An organized tri-county league also involved teams from Wilmington and Washington Court House facing the Tigers in play.

The Peebles team was apparently progressive for the times. In one game, during a community celebration held on a holiday newspaper afternoon, The Tigers of Peebles were hosts to the Cincinnati Giants, a team made up of all African-Americans. There were over 1000 in attendance at the Peebles ball field. Impressive, considering the color barrier would not be crossed on the national level until 1947 with the debut of Jackie Robinson. On another holiday weekend, management was leading-edge, booking two separate teams for an unusual one day double-header.

Newspapers got in on the action reporting scores and commenting on individual players. For example, in the September 5, 1922 Portsmouth Daily Times: “The Peebles baseball fans were treated to one of the cleanest, closest and best played games ever played on this diamond when the fast Waverly club bowed down to the Peebles Tigers Sunday by a score of five to four in a ten inning game.”

Another account from late June, 1922 told of John “Jawn” Riffle’s record which included nine entire games pitched for a total of 87 innings and with 315 men facing him. The story also reported 141 strike outs, 30 hits, 12 walks, and 25 scored.

A letter to The Portsmouth Daily Times attested to the loyalty of the local fans. Titled: “Enters Protest”

Peebles, Ohio Aug. 2. 1922

Sporting Editor Times:

In looking over the box score of the Peebles Tigers-Waverly game, played Sunday, which Waverly won by a score of 1 to 0 on account of an error by the Tiger's short stop in the ninth inning. I notice that Waverly claims 5 hits off Pitcher Riffle. This is erroneous since the scoremen of each team reported only 3 hits off Riffle, and this fact is well known by all players of both teams. In justice to Mr. Riffle we wish to have this error corrected.

I must also state that Centerfielder Gaffin of the Peebles Tigers has been showing them all up this season with his sensational and consistent fielding. In the Waverly game Gaffin handled 9 chances without an error and many of these chances were difficult, but I have wittnessed many games this season in which Mr. Gaffin has played and must say that he certainly has the knack of knowing how to play for the batters and pulls down many flies and liners that ordinarily go for hits. He is credited with one of the three hits the Tigers made Sunday. Waverly agreed to give the Tigers a return game, but I do not look for them to make their appearance soon.

Yours truly,

A PEEBLES FAN.

A winning team from the mid 60's!

Back row l to r: Coach Austin Dunkin, Terry Morris, Steve Dunkin, Ron Anderson, John Markins, Robert Bennington

Front row l to r: Gary Campton, Tom McClanahan, Jeff McCoy, Charlie Wallingford, Rick Seaman

A great big Thank You goes out to Becky Satterfield Stephens. She provided these two photos of her grandfather Earl F. Hoop, another member of the Peebles Tigers ball team.