01-16-1917
The Billy Hynes team defeated the J.J. Kreigs at Fruitvale, Sunday, by a score of 6 to 5. Gene Camozzi pitched heady ball, allowing only five hits. Kelly featured with the willow connecting for three hits and driving as many runs.

Baker, ss         0  0  1
Taaffe, 2b        1  0  0
Marshall, 3b      1  1  1
Stobener, lf      1  2  0
Ritchie, c        1  1  1
Doehl, cf         1  1  0
Kelly, 1b         1  3  1
Camozzi, p        0  1  0
------------------+--+--+
Totals            6  9  3

J.J. Kriegs
Carrigan, 2b      0  0  0
Garcia, lf        0  1  1
Foster, 3b        0  1  1
Burnett, s        0  1  1
Cunningham, 1b    1  1  1
Cronin, cf        0  0  0
E. Thollander, c  1  0  0
G. Thollander, rf 1  1  0
Ray, p            0  0  0
------------------+--+--+
Total             5  5  3

May 22, 1918_Win_Aberdeen (13) Spokane(2) Pacific Coast International League 1918

It was 1923, Gene was playing for the San Mateo Merchants when he got an offer to pitch for Bandon, OR.  I have a few clippings from the Gene’s scrapbook, but don’t know the complete story. I was told by Don Silva that his Dad, Al Silva, and several other of Gene’s teammates played for Bandon. They got big money, something like $75 a game. I would image that the pitcher really got some big money. Here is a Broadside mentioning Bandon’s new pitcher.

Indians Are Without Left-Handed Pitcher

The Spokesman-Review April 4, 1917- Camozzi, the left handed flinger whom Nick Williams secured from the San Francisco sand lots, has been turned adrift. Camozzi, like the general run of left handed pill dispensers, possessed plenty of ability, but lacked control. His release leaves the indians without a left handed pitcher.

The San Mateo Blues usually enjoyed having the home town fans cheering for them. But on the rare occasion they’d have to travel. In 1930 the Blues were in a battle with the San Jose Bees at old Sodality Park. I the sixth inning Fitz took exception to the umpire’s call at third. Fitz argument led t0 his removal from the game. Fans through cushions at the Blues players and riot when Justin appeared in the grandstands and tried to continued coaching his team. Two law enforcment officers had to then escort the foxy Fitzgerald from the the park. The San Jose fans felt they had seen the last of the Blues skipper, but they were wrong. Soon the fans could see Fitzgearld  on the roof of a chicken barns that ran parallel to the third base line. The San Jose fans actually gave the San Mateo manager a round of applause for his tenacity.

While surfing tr internet I came across Gary Bedingfield’s Baseball in Wartime site. So many young ball players had their careers put on hold during the world conflict. I was pleased to see the site mentioned Art Schallock who played for the San Mateo Blues in 1941 and 1942.

A replica of the glove Babe Ruth used circa 1920. It’s really cool to slip on glove like the old semipro’s used back in the day. Just like what my Grandfather used. I can only image how hard it was to catch with. I can’t wait to break it in and play some catch. Santa knew exactly what I wanted for Christmas.

I once asked Bill Lawrence how he could catch anything with such a small glove. He laughed and said he couldn’t figure out how player caught the ball with the big floppy gloves they used today.

Here is a great interactive history of the baseball Glove.

Pete Ricci also known as Ritchie, was Gene’s childhood teammate on the sandlots of San Francisco. The North Beach Federals was a start for two you kids from the Italian district of the City. Gene and Pete both broke in to the pros in 1918 in the Pacific Coast International League, Pete played with Seattle and Gene with Aberdeen. Over the years Pete established himself as a journeyman catcher in the Pacific Coast League. In 1931, Pete would make a few appearances in a Blue uniform. It had been 15 years since they broke into baseball together as a promising battery.

North Beach Federals 1914

Gene Camozzi(Left) Pete Ricci(Right)

Circa 1914-15

Full page newspaper advertisement in the San Mateo Times in 1928. Featuring Gene Camozzi the San Mateo pitcher. James Jeffries was going to throw out the first pitch.