baseball glove : Baseball-glove chair exhibit on display

Just one look, and you can tell that a lot of thought went into these unique gloves. All of them were designed by local school children and various local groups, as a way to show what baseball means to them. Dozens of kids took part.

Mary Rentz said, "A teacher has told us that all three of her art classes or all of the kids in this troop, or group participated in realizing the design and that's quite a challenge to coordinate."
A group of volunteers that make up the group "Art of the Game" coordinated the project. The artists and baseball enthusiasts are hoping to commemorate Pittsfield's baseball heritage.

Phil Massery, president of 1st Home Plate Corps., said the concept of the program is unique one.

"Athletes and baseball fans working together hand-in-hand with artists," Massery said. "It's kind of a unique marriage, because they usually don't mix."

Project leaders said they're hoping to transform Pittsfield's downtown streets into a baseball-themed playground. Brian Johnson, the "Art of the Game" Co-Chair, said has the city has opportunity to distinguish itself.

"Pittsfields got the distinction of the title, the birthplace," Johnson said. "Pittsfield needs to do something with it, and I think they can transcend from this and be a plus for baseball as well."

Massert added, "This is kind of a lanching pad for what's called the '1st Home Plate Project,' because in 1791 the first homeplate in history was right here in the center of Pittsfield. That's a big deal, isn't it? It's a big deal!"

These gloves will be on display until the end of the summer, but you can grab one of your own at an auction being held at Hancock Shaker Village on September 16th .

By: Web Staff