THE CHARLES BAKER MEMORIAL LEAGUE-- Its Origins -- Its Goals

by Bob Jones

The CHARLES BAKER LEAGUE was born of necessity. Every summer, the basketball men of Philadelphia, found the same problem, because of rules governing the separation of amateur and professional athletics there were no organized leagues in which ballplayers of professional reputation and status could compete. In 1961, a group of these dedicated professional and semi-professional athletes banded together to form a loosely organized league, with competitions between themselves.

At first, the games were of the pickup variety, with fans coaxed from off the sidelines to officiate. All games, that first year, were played, out of doors, at the Moylan Recreation Center, at 25th and Diamond Streets. Almost any evening, a visitor to the popular "rec" would find the JOHN CHANEY-SONNY LLOYD club battling it out with the HAL LEAR-JAY NORMAN ALL STARS, or the SONNY HILL-"CHINK" SCOTT team competing with the HERB JANEY-"TEE" PARHAM STARS as if an NBA title was at stake.

The league, as it was met with such success, realized that greater organization was needed to cope with the growing list of players wanting to join in the competition. So, in the second year of play, paid officials, under the direction of JOHN THOMPSON, was added to the league, and sponsorship was acquired to help defray expenses . "Foo, Foo' Reagan's, Jimmie Bates B Bar, Stardust Lounge, Mr. Silks Third Base Bar, were just some of the names seen dashing up and down the courts, emblazoned on the jerseys of the ballplayers.

In 1963, further growing pains were felt, and with the expansion, additional playing facilities were sought after and found, largely through the efforts of MR. CHARLES BAKER, late Commissioner of Records for the City of Philadelphia. It was because of Mr. Baker's tireless efforts on behalf of the league and his understanding of the athlete and his problems, that the league carries his name in honor of his memory.

The next year, 1964, JOHN THOMPSON turned over the direction of officials to MYRON ROSENBAUM, who performed very capably in that position. Also in 1964, VINCE MILLER assumed full leadership of the once LEAR-NORMAN franchise, bringing to the league his knowledge of the game.

The league remained basically a four-team operation, until the 1967 season, when a fifth franchise was awarded to CLAUDE GROSS. With the five teams performing so energetically, and with the public interest growing so avidly, it was apparent that re-organization was called for, and so, prior to the opening of this, the 1968 season, an election of League Officers was held, with the results showing SONNY HILL elected President, while JOHN CHANEY - Vice President, VINCE MILLER - Secretary, HERB JANEY, CLAUDE GROSS, Co- Treasurers rounded out the Executive Board necessary to relieve some of the responsibilities here-to-fore carried out by League Commissioner, ED CONWELL.

These men, along with MIKE RICHMAN, Legal Advisor, BOB JONES, Publicity Director, DR. MARTIN SILVERSTEIN, League Doctor, and Trustees, DONALD “DUCKY” BIRTS, JAY NORMAN AND VIC HARRIS, made the league function by donating their time and their energy.

Since its infant beginning at the Moylan Center, the CHARLES BAKER LEAGUE has grown, until at present, it ranks as the number one operation of its kind. Aside from the original purpose of it's being, to supply adequate summer competition for the Professional player, the league has several new goals. For one, the Board of Directors investigated the possibility of setting up one or more scholarship grants for deserving young people. A summer at camp for needy kids also was taken under advisement. These are just a few of the projects considered by the BAKER LEAGUE.

The CHARLES BAKER LEAGUE continues on, having had on the court wearing a BAKER LEAGUE team shirt, such name players as: Former Senator, BILL BRADLEY, 76ers BILLY CUNNINGHAM, HAL GREER, ARCHIE CLARK, Knick great EARL “THE PEARL” MONROE, MIKE BANTUM, and the greatest of them all -- WILT CHAMBERLAIN. We could go on and on. Let us just ask you, the fans, for your continued support, and on behalf of the current Board, Staff, Trustees, Sponsors and players, say THANK YOU.

by Bob Vetrone

The Charles Baker Memorial Basketball League is a showcase - mostly for the National Basketball Association performers who use it is a means of maintaining some semblance of condition throughout the summer, mostly - but not entirely.

The increased popularity of the league is due to the presence of such pro standouts as Hal Greer, Chet Walker, Bill Cunningham, Earl Monroe, Wally Jones, Walt Hazzard, Luke Jackson and, occasionally, Wilt Chamberlain. They draw the raves and they draw the fans. But there are other players, players who form the numerical backbone of the league. And don't think these players aren't aware of the opportunity the Baker League presents them. Some players who were of just average talent in high school or college competition blossom out in the league - for two reasons. One is that they just naturally improve, playing against or with such talent as those mentioned above. It's an old athletic axiom that to constantly improve, the best thing is to compete over your head. It has been proven in the Baker League.

Then there's the challenge - something everybody is talking about in all athletic respects these days. Everybody needs a challenge to improve, and what better challenge for a Stan Pawlak, Hubie White, a John Postley, a Sonny Hill, a Frank Corace than to show his wares against the "big pros." Sometimes there is only a thin line between an NBA star and an Eastern Leaguer or a journeyman city player. During the Baker League competition, this line becomes even thinner. But to keep that line evident, the pros respond to the challenge themselves ---' knowing full well that every player in every game wants to be the one to beat the pro.

That's what helps keep this league unique - the big name stars against the local standouts, the high-salaried performers playing for free all summer against the others, who work every day and find their athletic outlet against such strong competition. Unique it is - and it's growing bigger every year. It promises to be bigger and better each summer, with more "names" available. And while the "names" have helped so much to make it attractive to the fans, it is the journeyman player who forms the foundation for this unusual gathering of basketball talent - and what a strong foundation it is.