'Goldfields' representative baseball team playing top c.1979

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Overview

A dark blue baseball playing top made of cotton fabric. Appliqued in yellow cotton fabric on the left-hand side of the front of the top is the letter 'G', and on the back the playing number '12', approximately 23 cm in height. The short sleeves are edged with a 2 cm-wide strip of yellow cotton fabric and the neck opening and placket are edged with yellow fabric piping. There is one yellow button at the top of the placket.

Historical information

Baseball in the Goldfields in Western Australia started in the 1930s and went through periods of decline and revival over many decades. In 1978, after a break of 10 years, baseball had another revival. Then, on July 1st 1979, a combined Kalgoorlie baseball team, 'Goldfields', played a Western Australian representative team; giving a further boost to the sport in the region.

The WA representative team was very strong and included Australian representatives (6 full caps and 3 Under-18 caps). The team's coach and assistant coach had also represented Australia.

Western Australian and Australian representative Ray Michell pitched for 'Goldfields'. This playing top was worn by his teammate David Fraser, who scored a safe hit for the team.

The WA representative team won 8-0.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-100-2020.497

Item type

Material

Themes

Inscriptions and markings

[On front of playing top]
'G'

[On back of playing top]
'12'

Contextual Information

The 1979 game assisted in the revival of baseball in the Goldfields region.

The playing top was donated to the Baseball WA Museum & Archives by 'Goldfields' team member David Fraser.

Keywords

Goldfields Baseball Team

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Sports Uniform

Western Australian Baseball Team

Australian Baseball Representatives

David Fraser

Ray Michell

Place made

Australia

Statement of significance

This baseball playing top is a rare and historic item of baseball memorabilia from the Goldfields region. It represents a significant game between a Kalgoorlie team and a representative Western Australian team, which included players who had previously represented Australia. The item's provenance comes from its donor, a member of the 'Goldfields' team, who wore the playing top during the game.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Rare or representative

Well provenanced

Baseball WA

Organisation Details
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