Hard ball and history

ABLE is proud to partner with Prescott’s Western Heritage Center this summer on an exhibit about frontier Arizona baseball.

The nonprofit center is located on historic Whiskey Row, across from the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza and attracts roughly 70,000 visitors a year.

It’s filled with Old West memorabilia and displays that tell the rough and tumble early history of Prescott and Arizona. Baseball is certainly part of that story. In fact, historians believe the first baseball team in the Arizona territory was formed in Prescott in 1866.

ABLE’s display at the Western Heritage Center features vintage baseball equipment, publications and schedules dating back to 1883. Most of the collection is on loan from former Major League Baseball player Gary Wheelock.

Versions of the exhibit have previously appeared at Scottsdale Stadium and at Prescott’s Sharlot Hall Museum.     

If you’re up in Prescott this summer, stop by and explore the Western Heritage Center’s outstanding memorabilia and exhibits – including our frontier baseball collection.

Admission is always free. The center is located at 156 C South Montezuma. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information on the center, visit www.visitwhc.org

For more information on ABLE, visit www.ABLEAZ.org