08/08/2025
Go see the game this weekend in Nelsonville! And stay tuned later this year for a new Nelsonville episode that will include some stories about Etsel Crabtree. We are in the market for Crabtree baseball cards if anyone has one.
New Immersive Historic Sites coming to Nelsonville next Spring too!
Estel Crabtree, former MLB player for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds, retired from baseball in 1944 with a .281 batting average, 142 RBIs, 13 home runs, and a .721 on base percentage across his career, including some time as both a coach and a manager. Crabtree moved back to Nelsonville, Ohio, where he had spent most of his life, and mentioned to Rev. William Mechem that Nelsonville ought to have local baseball players come together for a game at the end of summer. Shortly thereafter, Mechem and Crabtree started the Nelsonville Old Timer’s Baseball Association and invited ball players to come up for a Sunday afternoon game.
In 1949, that first game commenced in the northern end of the town at what has been known as Crabtree Field since the field was dedicated in 1967. It began with the local HS band playing as they marched onto the field from near the railroad tracks along the third baseline. The VFW Color Guard raised the flag and area skydivers flew in to drop down the game ball. Players were split into two teams and the game began with a few remarks, that first year likely by Rev. Mechem. Then came the first pitch and the game was on its way.
Ever since that very first game in 1949, the OTBA has chosen members to honor for their love and dedication to the game and presented them with a ceremonial brick in their name to be placed at the entrance to the field. The first was of course Estel Crabtree, followed by at least 140 others to date. When the game was over, the old timers were introduced and then the local little league baseball and softball awards were given out. Everyone would then gather for a meal together, though the location has varied over the years. It is now held at the Elks.
Eventually, Ron Dupler joined the Old Timer’s Association, followed by Eddie VanBibber and Steve Cox. Then Ron’s sons, Bob, Steve, and Don Dupler joined the ranks, then Gary Carter, and most recently, Wayne Dicken as well. This week will be the 76th year of the Old Timers Day baseball game (2020 was the only year the game was not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
The game has become synonymous with the beginning of the Parade of the Hills, formerly known as the Hocking Valley Festival; it is one final summer celebration just before the start of school. We are two days out from another beautiful day for baseball!