FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2014

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

New Exhibit entitled “Play Ball! The National Pastime in South Dakota” to open at Cultural Heritage Center on Oct. 25

PIERRE, S.D. – The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society will debut its new exhibit “Play Ball! The National Pastime in South Dakota” on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Hogen Gallery of the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

There is no admission fee to the museum on the 25th. The museum is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST. Refreshments will be served from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

“’Play Ball!  The National Pastime in South Dakota’ traces the history of baseball in South Dakota from the territorial era to the present through artifacts, images, video and hands-on activities that will inspire, educate and entertain all audiences,” said Jay Smith, museum director. 

Many of the artifacts on display have never been seen before, and topics addressed in the exhibit include youth baseball, American Legion teams, town teams, organized amateur and professional leagues and much more. Among the items on display are materials from a collection of Northern League materials recently donated by South Dakota native Paul Gertsen.

“We are very excited about the new exhibit,” commented Jay D. Vogt, director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. “It is visually appealing, educational and a lot of fun for the entire family.” 

To assist with the opening day celebration, author Marilyn Kratz will be on hand to do two presentations about famed female umpire Amanda Clement at 11 and 2 p.m.

 “Amanda Clement is an important figure in baseball history, and so we are especially pleased to have Marilyn Kratz here to discuss women in baseball,” said Smith. 

Two South Dakota women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League are featured in the display, as are such prominent Hall of Fame players as James “Cool Papa” Bell and Jim Palmer and manager Sparky Anderson. 

The exhibit will run through January 2016.  For more information, visit www.history.sd.gov or call (605) 773-3458.

Editor’s Note: The accompanying artwork is of a child’s Aberdeen Pheasants t-shirt from the 1950s. (Photo courtesy South Dakota State Historical Society)

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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.