Rock Hill old-timers fling memories around the baseball diamond during annual gathering

For anyone who loves the game of baseball and the memories that go with it, Thursday afternoon at the Rock Hill Country Club was the place to be.

As golfers were lining up putts on the manicured greens outside, a group of 35 to 40 guys, affectionately referred to as old timers, were inside sharing endless remembrances. A table nearby was covered with yellowed copies of newspaper stories about the group’s past accomplishments on the diamond.

The assemblage, brought together by organizer Whitey Adams, consisted of former Rock Hill American Legion ball players, as well as some from Rock Hill High School and the old York County Baseball League.

“We try to get together once or twice a year,” said Adams, a former player. “It’s dynamite to get all these guys together. Really extra special.”

The event was made even more special with Hickory Grove native Bobby Bolin on hand as guest speaker. The 76-year old Bolin is a former right-handed Major League pitcher who was signed by the New York Giants at the age of 17 and had a career that spanned 13 years.

As Adams flanked Bolin at the podium, he jump-started the festivities by posing a question.

“If you leave home, take a right, then three lefts, and end up back home with two people wearing masks waiting for you, who are these people? It’s the catcher and umpire.”

Following a dose of laughter it was Bolin’s time in the spotlight.

“I signed for $4,000 for the Giants back in 1956,” said Bolin, who currently resides in Easley. “I spent four years in the minors but I hung in there and was fortunate to make it to the majors. I loved the game and would have played until I was 90 if they had let me.”

Bolin also spent time with the San Francisco Giants (1961-1969) after the team moved west, part of 1970 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and closed out his career with the Boston Red Sox (1970-1973).

Unsurprisingly, Bolin had some memorable stories to share of his time in pro baseball.

“My most embarrassing moment came when I was pitching in the old Mill League for Cherokee Falls,” Bolin said. “We were playing a Class B team and after I struck out the last batter of the game, two women, who had been drinking, came on the field, picked me up, and carried me off the field.”

Things have certainly changed since those days, at every level of baseball.

“Today the players have prime rib in the clubhouse after the game,” said Bolin. “When I played we might have boiled eggs and wieners. One time after we lost a game 1-0, Alvin Dark, our manager at the time, came in the clubhouse afterward and wiped all the eggs and wieners off the table. But when he later slung a stool he tore the end off one of his fingers. It didn’t hurt his golf game though.”

Bolin pointed out that today’s game has become computer oriented.

“Unlike today, starting pitchers could throw 180-190 pitches,” he said. “Now computers determine pitch count but in my opinion pitch count is irrelevant.”

Later, after a brief audience question-and-answer session, Bolin was asked about his small town roots.

“Hickory Grove is a special town. Hey, they have the biggest Christmas parade in York County.”

And as special as Hickory Grove is to Bolin, this gathering was extra special to Herman Crump who coached many of those in attendance. Grinning proudly Crump said, “I am 90-years old and it has been great to see all these old people.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Rock Hill old-timers fling memories around the baseball diamond during annual gathering."