Attending the Philadelphia Athletics Baseball Historical Society Conference recently were (l-r): Joanne McComb of Bloomsburg, Pa., Diana Brissie of North Augusta, Ruth Garrard of Lincolnton and Sarah Jane "Salty" Ferguson of Orangeville, Pa. Ruth remembered to bring along her copy of The Lincoln Journal. Ruth Garrard of Lincolnton and Diana Brissie of North Augusta, recently attended the Philadelphia Athletics Baseball Historical Society Conference in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania ladies played baseball in the All American Girl's Professional Baseball League with McComb playing for the Springfield Sallies and Ferguson playing for the Rockford Peaches.

Both ladies appeared in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own which was about the AAGPBL girls professional league of the late 1940s and early 50s.

The event was attended by former Major League ballplayers, Joe Astroth, Lou Brissie of North Augusta, Don Hasenmayer, Bob Friend, Spook Jacobs and Bobby Shantz. Astroth, Brissie and Shantz all played for the A's during part of their careers and Bob Friend played mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don Hasenmayer played for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Philadelphia A's Historical Society sponsors a baseball museum and these conferences to promote the history of the former Philadelphia American League team owned and managed by Hall of Fame manager, Connie Mack. The great Ty Cobb finished his playing career with the Philadelphia A's before retiring back to his home in Augusta, Georgia. Connie Mack showed his baseball savvy by acquiring Cobb to finish his career with the A's as Cobb batted .357 and .323 his last two years in baseball.

Lou and Diana Brissie and Lamar and Ruth Garrard were pleased to represent our area at the event in Philadelphia which was coincidentally being held at the time when the Phillies were winning the 2008 World Series. Mr. Brissie was one of the confer- ence speakers and one of the weekend's honorees. He is a decorated World War II veteran and also was a pitcher in the 1949 All-Star game. He played textile league baseball in South Carolina, college baseball for Presbyterian College, and Minor League baseball at Savannah.