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H. 4005

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. Duncan
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ms\7275ahb07.doc

Introduced in the House on May 1, 2007
Introduced in the Senate on May 1, 2007
Adopted by the General Assembly on May 1, 2007

Summary: Textile league baseball teams

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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    5/1/2007  House   Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-4
    5/1/2007  Senate  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-9

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/1/2007

TO RECOGNIZE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE TEXTILE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO APPRECIATE THE MANY SOUTH CAROLINIANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LEAGUES AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR ENDURING LEGACY FOR ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO TREASURE.

Whereas, although the glory days of the textile league baseball teams have long since passed, it is fitting to reflect on its fascinating history and preserve its heritage for future generations; and

Whereas, as early as the textile factories started moving South in the 1880's, residents of the small villages around them turned to baseball as a diversion from the hard work of the mills and for much needed recreation and entertainment; and

Whereas, South Carolina being no exception, the textile leagues were woven into the fabric of mill village life catching on quickly and lasting through the 1950's; and

Whereas, owners of the mills often started the leagues because the new game of baseball, already a passion among mill workers, provided an atmosphere to teach respect for authority, self-control, discipline, and helped to increase the morale of the employees of the mill. The textile leagues also provided a place for people to socialize outside of work and hundreds flocked to the games; and

Whereas, one of the earliest games in the South was in Cokesbury, South Carolina, in 1873. By the 1880's, textile leagues were popping up all over the State; and

Whereas, what began as a mill village recreational and social activity quickly spread past the small communities and attracted the attention of the city folks when such players as Piedmont's Champ Osteen, Greenville's Brandon Mill, and the infamous Shoeless Joe Jackson began to attract the attention of professional scouts; and

Whereas, city businesses recognized the advertising potential of the games and advertising revenue poured in. As a result, the mill owners scaled back the workweek in order to give the players more practice time; and

Whereas, as textile league ball became more important to communities, the game became more intense and leagues were forced to take measures to keep angry fans from storming the field in protest of a bad call; and

Whereas, by the end of the 1920's, the textile leagues were known as the unofficial farm system for the major leagues. The 1930's are widely thought to be the glory days of the sport when games were being played under the lights; and

Whereas, at the same time, women's textile leagues and Negro leagues also began to flourish, though sadly there is little written record of the games; and

Whereas, though war in the 1940's caused the demise of many of the teams, several great players did emerge, such as Ware Shoals' pitcher Lou Brissie, Ninety Six's Bill Voiselle, and Greenwood's Ben Johnson; and

Whereas, as mill owners began selling housing to outsiders who did not work in the mills, the purchase of automobiles became widespread, and the popularity of television proliferated the culture, the 1950's saw a major decline in textile league baseball; and

Whereas, though there were some leagues that hung on in the South through the 1960's and 1970's, it was clear the magic of those beloved glory days had passed on; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the South Carolina General Assembly to pause to reflect on the textile league baseball teams of the South, particularly those of this State, and the great athletes who participated in the sport, which contributed so much to the great American pastime of baseball. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize the rich history of the textile league baseball teams in South Carolina and appreciate the many South Carolinians who participated in the leagues and acknowledge their enduring legacy for all South Carolinians to treasure.

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