If you love all things baseball, whether it is statistics, baseball lore, history or anything else you might find interesting about our national game, then becoming a member of the local chapter of the newly formed chapter of the Society For American Baseball Research or (SABR) might be just the thing for you. The first meeting of the fledgling local chapter of SABR will be held on Saturday, August 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lowry Room on the third floor of the Children’s Wing of the James V. Brown Library.

SABR membership has broadened steadily — today, it totals more than 6,000 worldwide. Who belongs to SABR? Many major and minor league baseball officials, broadcasters, writers, and numerous former players. Primarily, the membership consists of “just plain fans” — anyone interested in baseball can join.

Many SABR members meet formally and informally in regional chapters throughout the year, and hundreds come together for the annual national convention, the organization’s premier event. These meetings often include panel discussions with former major league players and research presentations by members.

Most of all, SABR members love talking baseball with like-minded friends. What unites SABR members is an interest in the game and the joy of learning more about it.

The local Williamsport chapter of SABR is the North Central PA – Williamsport Chapter Jimmy Sebring – George Stovey – SABR Chapter. The approval of the Williamsport Chapter took place this past May 2021 by the National Organization of SABR.

Membership in the local chapter is a free and open way for members to join in conversation and discussion with topics on baseball history, tradition, and statistics.

The setting in Williamsport, with Little League Baseball, the MLB Classic in August, the Williamsport Crosscutters, a member of the new “Draft League” — all provide an enriching way for baseball enthusiasts of all ages.

The name of the local SABR chapter is the Jimmy Sebring-George Stovey Chapter, named for two Williamsport area players who played interesting and prominent roles in baseball history.

Jimmy Sebring (1882-1909) from Williamsport, played in the 1903 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first player in World Series history to hit a home run.

George Washington Stovey (1866-1936) from Williamsport, is widely considered the best African-American baseball pitcher of the 19th century. Both Sebring and Stovey are buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport.

“SABR local chapters and meetings are ways for seeing how baseball has evolved and reflects the times and growth of our nation and how baseball has connected to events in American history,” said Jack Houston, one of the organizers of the new local SABR chapter.

He continued, “Our local SABR chapter is a place for our community to discover more about the impact baseball played in the history of our local communities and our American life. In our SABR meetings, men and women gather and share their personal baseball stories and their love for the game — our National Pastime. SABR has a unique way of bringing people together; it connects generations with shared experiences of our youth.”

The theme of the meeting will be “Baseball, Williamsport and the American Dream.”

The meeting begins with refreshments at 11 a.m. with coffee, juice, and cake/donuts available in the Lowry Kitchen. At 11:30 a.m. there will be an opening with the National Anthem; this will be followed by a welcome and introduction; presentation by speakers; and a presentation of Carly Simon’s recording of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”; the last part of the meeting will be a discussion by participants and attendees.

The meeting will end around 1 p.m. and departure, and good-byes will occur, and the Lowry Room will be empty by 1:30 p.m.

This is an open meeting, and any interested persons are welcome to attend.

For further information about this SABR meeting, contact Jack Houston at 570-326-4637.