Chesapeake City’s First Little League Team, Martin Poore (1920-1977), Manager

Chesapeake City’s First Little League Team, Martin Poore (1920-1977), Manager

The team posing at the North Side field (now Titter Park) - a 1951 Photo

Front: Bobby Biggs, Freddie Craig, Ronnie Poore, Lucky Lloyd, Jim Crawford, Marty Poore, Jr.

Back: Martin Poore (Manager), Hyland Vaughan, Bill Karbonic, Lane Ginn, Wayne Peaper, Jim Peaper (Assistant Manager), Ray Stevens.

Members of the first team, circa 1952

  

With the baseball and softball season in full swing, I’m reminded of what an excellent little league system we have here in Chesapeake City. We didn’t have a little league team when I was a boy, but in 1951 Martin Poore got the town boys together and started one. Many Chesapeake City residents remember Martin and how hard he worked not only to organize the team, but how diligently he taught baseball fundamentals to young boys in the area. Marty’s son, Martin, Jr., remembers that first season with his dad as manager:

            “Dad always wanted to be a ballplayer, but couldn’t because of some physical problems and because, being raised on a farm, he had to quit school early to go to work. So, I guess he lived his dream through my brother, Ronnie, and me as well as the other kids. He lived baseball and always made sacrifices for us.”

            Ray Stevens has some vivid memories: “Oh yes, I played on that first team. Martin Poore was the manager and Jim Peaper was the coach. I was the third baseman and Wayne Peaper was the pitcher. I remember most of the players. Marty was a nice man. He tried to instill the game of baseball in our minds — the right way to play it. But, oh, we had fun, although Marty was all business when it came to baseball.”

             Bill Karbonic, the team’s catcher, has fond memories also: “We didn’t even have uniforms that first year; we wore red hats, tee shirts, and blue jeans. The following year the Lions’ Club donated uniforms. Marty really did a lot for the community. My goodness, when we started the whole town would come out; even the businesses would close for the game. It was something special!”

            “Martin never got enough credit,” explains outfielder Hyland Vaughan. “He was a real founding force for our Little League program.” Wayne Peaper, the team’s first pitcher, remembers how much Martin was dedicated and enthusiastic: “I recall one time when the field was covered with water. Well, he actually went out and threw gasoline into the water to burn it off so we could play that evening. Another time he loaded the whole team into his car for a game at Cecilton. Wow, were we packed in there! That’s just two examples—he was really into it. Also, he was always upbeat, never negative.”

            A coach, of course, is a teacher, and teachers impart more than the particular skills of their expertise. As his students have just indicated, Marty’s influence as a teacher was extensive. He expected excellence not aggression. He made learning fun not arduous. He provided opportunities for the youth of Chesapeake City, many of whom, as we’ve seen, have clear memories of his teaching skills, his dependability, his enthusiasm, his gentle leadership, and his love for the game. They remember and appreciate their first coach, even after over sixty years.