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Baseball from USS Asheville (PG-21) 


Official National League Baseball from USS Asheville signed by players

Title: Baseball, USS Ashevile (PG-21)
Accession #: NHHC 1992-78-A
Circa: 1938
Size: 2.8"
Medium: Leather, Fabric
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

One standard baseball. Cork core, spherical-shaped with a leather cover stitches around the core. Stenciling reads // Official / National League // The ball has the signature // Ford C. Frick // Written in ink on the side of the ball is // Asheville 6 / 2nd Batt. 7 / Aug. 20, 1938 //

This ball was used in a baseball game played on 20 August 1938 between crew of the USS Asheville (PG-21) and Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. As the writing on the ball shows, the Marines won 7-6. This game was played while the Asheville was serving with the Asiatic Fleet as part of the Yangtze River Patrol. Their purpose was to “show the flag” and stand by to protect American lives and interests in the face of the encroaching Japanese military.

The signature is from Ford C. Frick, the President of the National League. Likely an autograph obtained by the original owner of this ball.


White baseball with red stitching used in game signed with score and date
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Published: Tue Mar 24 14:34:49 EDT 2020