Western Australian 1960s State baseball team playing top
1963A black woollen baseball playing top with a two-button front opening. A narrow, yellow cotton trim is stitched around the front opening and continues around the neckline. It also trims the cuffs of the short sleeves. A yellow shield-shaped patch is stitched to the left breast. Embroidered on the patch is a black swan, which is Western Australia's state emblem, and the letters 'W.A.' in black thread. A yellow felt fabric number '3' is stitched to the back of the playing top, which has a scooped hemline.
Charlie Hodder's long career in baseball included selection as first baseman in the Western Australian Claxton Shield Championship Series teams in 1963 (Brisbane) and 1964 (Melbourne), where this playing top was worn.
The Claxton Shield has been the name of the premier baseball competition in Australia held between state-based teams and is the name of the trophy still awarded to the champion team in the Australian Baseball League.
Details
Details
[On front patch]
'W.A.'
[On back of playing top]
'3'
Charlie Hodder's long association with the Swan Districts Baseball Club began with the juniors in 1952 at age 14, playing at Midland Railway Reserve. After completing a year of national service in 1956/57, Charlie joined the 'Swans' senior team, playing at Midland Oval. He also played for the club in the night baseball series, including four premiership wins in 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963.
Following his playing career, Charlie coached baseball, firstly at Victoria Park (1964-65), then returning to coach Swans juniors. He was Assistant Coach for the State senior team in 1976.
In 1978 he started T-ball at Swan Districts and was involved with the sport for the next ten years, resulting in numerous T-ball association life memberships.
Charlie served as Vice President of the Swan Districts Baseball Club and was honoured with a Life Membership. He was further honoured when the baseball diamond at North Swan Park in Middle Swan was named 'Charlie Hodder Field'.
This Western Australian playing top was donated to the Baseball WA Museum & Archives by Charlie Hodder and is a valued addition to the Museum's collection of baseball uniforms.
Of historic significance, this well-provenanced piece of Western Australian Claxton Shield memorabilia also represents one highlight in the exceptional sporting career of a Western Australian baseballer.
More items like this
Other items from Baseball WA
-
1937 Western Australian Claxton Shield Series baseball team
-
2019 aerial photograph of Baseball Park, Tom Bateman Reserve
-
Swan Brewery 'Local Heroes' poster
-
Inaugural 1989/90 Perth Heat baseball team poster
-
John Moore's Australian baseball team catcher's glove – 1996 Atlanta Olympics
-
John Moore's Australian baseball team shoes – 1996 Olympic Games
-
1989 Baseball Quebec poster advertising the Youppi! piggy bank
-
1988 World Under-19 Youth Baseball Series, Sydney – poster
-
First National Inaugural Pee Wee Baseball Championships, Adelaide 1984 poster
-
2018 'The Weekend West' newspaper articles on the new owners of Perth Heat Baseball Team
Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->
