Babe Ruth

Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career home run list Saturday with his 714th homer, a solo shot into the right-field seats leading off the second inning against Oakland A's left-hander Brad Halsey. In the Preakness Stakes, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro broke down in the first few hundred yards of the race, with Bernardini going on to win the race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. See Sunday's Herald-Mail for the full stories.

Name: Earl C. Meagher Occupation: Counselor, Clear Spring Middle School Family: Single Education: Bachelor's degree from Shepherd College and master's degree from Shippensburg University Mentor: Mother, Pauline Forsyth Piraino Favorite part of the job: "Working with students and special programs. " Biggest challenge of the job: "Keeping up with new trends. " Favorite music: Sinatra Favorite car: '57 Chevy Reading now: "Robert E. Lee" Last movie seen: "Open Range" Favorite TV show: "JAG" Hobbies: Softball and basketball If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?

Tim Jacobson South Hagerstown Baseball Junior What's your favorite food? Mac & Cheese Who is your favorite cartoon character? Stewie Griffin What is your biggest ambition? To play baseball Three people I'd like to have lunch with: Derek Jeter, Ben Roethlisberger, Babe Ruth The best thing about my school is: My boys The worst thing about my school is: Rumors My classmates would probably name me 'Most likely to ...': Make you laugh One place I'd most like to visit: Yankee Stadium If a genie gave you three wishes, what would they be?

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - New Yorkers recently bid farewell to "The House That Ruth Built," but while Yankee Stadium will soon be coming down, Chambersburg is planning for the future of "The House That Ruth Visited. " On May 31, 1929, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the rest of the Yankees played an exhibition game against the Chambersburg Maroons at Henninger Field as the Sultan of Swat homered and pitched the last inning in a win for the men in pinstripes. Ed Patterson, who sits on the borough's Zoning Hearing Board, said Thursday that the doctor who delivered him that day was upset at missing the game.

Back in the late 1950s and early '60s, the school ground in Dargan was the place to be if you wanted to play a little baseball. All the kids in the community would enjoy their summer vacations from school by playing the most popular sport. Nothing quite like a good baseball game or two and a slice of Grandma's homemade apple pie later. As we prepared for a big game, I would often toss a bat to another player and while we both grasped the bat we would place one hand above each other's until the last hand rested on the top of the bat. That person would then have first choice on choosing his team.

There's something Ruthian about Federal Little League's run to the Little League World Series. A little like Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield seats before hitting a home run, Federal outfielder Mark Grunberg predicted his team's success - five years ago, according to his father, Pete Grunberg. When Mark was 7 years old, he told Chookie Karlen, the mother of all-star teammate Nick Karlen, that Federal would be in the Little League World Series when the boys were 12 years old. "It's been his dream," Pete Grunberg said.

When two and two finally were put together for me last week, they added up to the six degrees of separation between me and Babe Ruth. Years ago, while digging through my parents' attic, I stumbled upon an absolute treasure - a vintage photo of four fraternity brothers sitting in a room at the Delta Upsilon house at Colgate University, circa 1925. It's been a priceless wall hanging to me ever since, mostly because it's the only picture I own of my grandfather, Richard Mason, who died in 1970, nearly two years before I was born.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail runs "A Life Remembered. " Each story in this continuing series takes a look back - through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others - at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Florence M. Binau, who died Oct. 23 at the age of 92. Her obituary was published in the Oct. 25 edition of The Herald-Mail. Florence Binau's family tree had famous connections - in both her family and her husband's family - but she preferred life in the background instead of the limelight.

Little Sluggers toplay on three fields SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Little Sluggers will play at three different fields this spring. Most of the games will be played at Fireman's Field, which was donated by the Smithsburg Fire Department in 1972. More than $11,000 has been spent putting up a new fence at that field, league President Steve Pitsnogle said. Additional play will be on a new field at the corner of Veterans Park and the Smithsburg Elementary School. That is where the Sluggers played prior to moving to Fireman's Field.

JAN. 6, 1947-OCT. 21, 2009 ROHRERSVILLE - David Lee Baker, 62, of Rohrersville, Md., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at home surrounded by his family and friends. Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Harmony, Md., he was the son of the late Elmer Andrew Baker and Alice Marie (Desmond) Baker. He will be missed by his loving and devoted wife of 15 years, Phyllis Lee Baker at home. He is survived by three sons, Mark B. Baker of Frederick, Md., Paul F. Houck Jr. and wife, Heather, of Jefferson, Md. and Erick L. Baker of Frederick; two daughters, Dawn M. Baker of Rohrersville, and Patricia L. Shoemaker and husband, James "BJ" W. Shoemaker Jr., of Rohrersville; one brother, Thomas J. Baker and wife, Rosalind "Peachie," of Middletown, Md.; two sisters, Doris "Pete" E. Bidle of Frederick and Joan M. Baker of Hagerstown; three grandchildren, Camden E. Houck and Carson D.T. Houck of Jefferson, and Jamie L. Shoemaker of Rohrersville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Back in the late 1950s and early '60s, the school ground in Dargan was the place to be if you wanted to play a little baseball. All the kids in the community would enjoy their summer vacations from school by playing the most popular sport. Nothing quite like a good baseball game or two and a slice of Grandma's homemade apple pie later. As we prepared for a big game, I would often toss a bat to another player and while we both grasped the bat we would place one hand above each other's until the last hand rested on the top of the bat. That person would then have first choice on choosing his team.

The Smithsburg Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball League will hold registration Saturday from 10 a.m. to  2 p.m. at the Smithsburg Fire Hall, 22 N. Main St. Bring a copy of the child's birth certificate to registration. The cost is $40 for a single player or $70 per family for the Cal Ripken division, which is for those ages 4 to 12. Registration costs $135 for the Babe Ruth Division, which is for those ages 13 to 18.  All Washington County residents are eligible. Players can also register online at www.slsbaseball.org . Quartet to perform Sunday at church Welty Church of the Brethren, 13465 Greensburg Road, Smithsburg, will host the Skyline Boys Quartet Sunday at 10:4 5 a.m. The community is invited.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail runs "A Life Remembered. " Each story in this continuing series takes a look back - through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others - at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Florence M. Binau, who died Oct. 23 at the age of 92. Her obituary was published in the Oct. 25 edition of The Herald-Mail. Florence Binau's family tree had famous connections - in both her family and her husband's family - but she preferred life in the background instead of the limelight.

If a sport involved a ball, Joe Shaffer liked watching it. In his younger days, Joe did more than just watch the ball. The left-handed hurler known as “Lefty” pitched for Hagerstown High School until his graduation in 1934. During his senior year, Joe’s team played the University of Maryland’s freshman team, with Joe pitching, and were headed for a win until the last inning. Joe was offered a scholarship, which he turned down, a decision he later regretted, said his wife, Charlotte.

JAN. 6, 1947-OCT. 21, 2009 ROHRERSVILLE - David Lee Baker, 62, of Rohrersville, Md., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at home surrounded by his family and friends. Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Harmony, Md., he was the son of the late Elmer Andrew Baker and Alice Marie (Desmond) Baker. He will be missed by his loving and devoted wife of 15 years, Phyllis Lee Baker at home. He is survived by three sons, Mark B. Baker of Frederick, Md., Paul F. Houck Jr. and wife, Heather, of Jefferson, Md. and Erick L. Baker of Frederick; two daughters, Dawn M. Baker of Rohrersville, and Patricia L. Shoemaker and husband, James "BJ" W. Shoemaker Jr., of Rohrersville; one brother, Thomas J. Baker and wife, Rosalind "Peachie," of Middletown, Md.; two sisters, Doris "Pete" E. Bidle of Frederick and Joan M. Baker of Hagerstown; three grandchildren, Camden E. Houck and Carson D.T. Houck of Jefferson, and Jamie L. Shoemaker of Rohrersville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - New Yorkers recently bid farewell to "The House That Ruth Built," but while Yankee Stadium will soon be coming down, Chambersburg is planning for the future of "The House That Ruth Visited. " On May 31, 1929, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the rest of the Yankees played an exhibition game against the Chambersburg Maroons at Henninger Field as the Sultan of Swat homered and pitched the last inning in a win for the men in pinstripes. Ed Patterson, who sits on the borough's Zoning Hearing Board, said Thursday that the doctor who delivered him that day was upset at missing the game.

There's something Ruthian about Federal Little League's run to the Little League World Series. A little like Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield seats before hitting a home run, Federal outfielder Mark Grunberg predicted his team's success - five years ago, according to his father, Pete Grunberg. When Mark was 7 years old, he told Chookie Karlen, the mother of all-star teammate Nick Karlen, that Federal would be in the Little League World Series when the boys were 12 years old. "It's been his dream," Pete Grunberg said.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - A photograph that Babe Ruth signed for a little girl about a year before his death now is worth thousands of dollars, according to antiques appraisers evaluating area residents' treasures Saturday. Nancy McDonough of Easton, Md., brought the photograph to an appraisal Saturday at the urging of her daughter, Susan Peterson, who sits on the board of directors of the Washington County Historical Society, which sponsored the event at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center.

A photograph that Babe Ruth signed for a little girl about a year before his death now is worth thousands of dollars, according to antiques appraisers evaluating area residents' treasures Saturday. Nancy McDonough of Easton, Md., brought the photograph to an appraisal Saturday at the urging of her daughter, Susan Peterson, who sits on the board of directors of the Washington County Historical Society, which sponsored the event at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center.

Tim Jacobson South Hagerstown Baseball Junior What's your favorite food? Mac & Cheese Who is your favorite cartoon character? Stewie Griffin What is your biggest ambition? To play baseball Three people I'd like to have lunch with: Derek Jeter, Ben Roethlisberger, Babe Ruth The best thing about my school is: My boys The worst thing about my school is: Rumors My classmates would probably name me 'Most likely to ...': Make you laugh One place I'd most like to visit: Yankee Stadium If a genie gave you three wishes, what would they be?