There’s not much history presented inside Fifth Third Field, but the main entrance to the park is Moses Fleetwood Walker Square, in honor of the pioneering African-American baseball player. An Ohio historical marker also honors Walker and street signs recognize notable Toledo baseball executives like Ned Skelton and Gene Cook.

In a few weeks, Toledo will be the center of Triple-A baseball as it hosts the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game between the International League and the Pacific Coast League League. The Triple-A Fan Fest will be at the SeaGate Center across the street from Fifth Third Field.

There are summer collegiate baseball leagues throughout the United States, the best known being the Cape Cod League. Today, we went to Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio, for a Great Lakes Collegiate League game between the Lima Locos and the Grand Lake Mariners. Like the Cape Cod League, the GLCL is made up of collegiate players in pursuit of the major leagues. Most of them will not reach the majors, but they share a passion for baseball.

The 250 or so fans at the game have their own passion for baseball. The entire experience is far different (more casual, less commercial) from other forms of baseball that have a greater profit motive.

We had another beautiful night for baseball and saw another well-played game with players that may never get a line in The Baseball Encyclopedia. Yet, like the pros, they field grounders, throw strikes, hit gappers and provide enjoyable baseball action for baseball fans. Lima won the game, 9-5.

In the last ten years, or so, many new summer collegiate baseball leagues have emerged throughout the United States. They all play a schedule of about two months in June and July. Try to attend a summer collegiate baseball league game on your baseball travels.

We also visited the campus of Ohio Northern University in little Ada, Ohio. Ohio Northern’s baseball team, the Polar Bears, has a record of success in the Ohio Athletic Conference. It won championships in 1923, 1931, 1949, 1974, 1976, 1982 and 1983.

At the helm for the last four of those titles was Herb Strayer, head coach from 1971 to 2001. Strayer guided 630 ONU victories, over 500 more than anyone else in school history. He died in 2002 and the road that goes past the first base side of Wander Field, home of the Polar Bears, is named in his honor.

Special thanks to fellow Ohio University alum and great friend Vince Koza (and his family) for taking such good care of us in Lima.

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