This annual baseball tournament of the Arizona Vintage Baseball League is played on one of the oldest ballparks in the United States. It was built in 1909. It predates Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Warren Ballpark is the current home of the Bisbee's high school team, the Pumas. In years past, it saw famous players like Honus Wagner, Connie Mack and Buck Weaver, of the Black Sox scandal, run the bases here. Warren served as the minor league field of the Bisbee Bees and others from 1928 till 1932. The Copper City Classic tournament helps raise funds to preserve this American classic ballpark.

The Phoenix Senators took the field against the Tucson Saguaros in the early afternoon of the first day. The players are dressed in period uniforms that seem it fit the style of play on the field.Runs are scarce since outs are easier to get and the ball does not travel near as far.The innings roll by and I was fascinated when the first run was scored. The scoring player goes up to a small desk against the dugout.Here the official scorer sits with his clipboard and a brass bell.The player rings the bell after crossing home plate and the run is officially registered.Can you imagine that in the Major Leagues of today?

I watch a group of players sitting in the stands. They are the Colorado All-Stars who travel to Bisbee to play in the tournament.They will play the next game against the Bisbee Bees. The players have red striped shield shirts, blue Pill Box hats, and red socks.Most sport beards and/or handlebar moustaches. The Phoenix Senators wear white classic baseball uniforms with small classic caps. The Tucson Saguaros sport Ascot caps and Knicker trousers with knee high socks. The Bees are decked out in black and white classic uniforms with Bisbee printed across their chest.The appearance of the players really captures the look and feel of 1860 baseball. They are great to interact with and willingly pose for pictures.

The Saguaros stretched their lead to 2-0 by the fifth inning and the Senators were struggling to produce a ding on the bell. They finally generated a run in the 6^th with a long fly to right center that sent the outfielders scrambling for the ball.However, it was not enough.The Saguaros scored again and led 3-1.The Senators lost and would only win one more the next day.

The Lemon Peel ball is a softer ball with a leather cover and has a classic double X stitching.It is very durable but does not create a "crack" but more like a "thunk" when hit hard by a Striker.A Colorado All Star poses with one for me as I wandered around the grandstands looking for good views of the field.

Three more games were played that afternoon. At 3:30 P.M., the Mesa Miners battled the Colorado All Stars.At 5, the Bisbee Bees challenged the North All Stars and at 6:30pm the Glendale Gophers fought the Bisbee Black Sox.On Sunday, 7 more games were played before the winner was announced.

The league has 8 teams and plays a season from November thru March with the tournament highlighting the end of the season. This year the Mesa Miners took home the plaque featuring a vintage bat as the Champions. They celebrated their victory in the small bar of the Copper Queen Hotel in historic Bisbee. Copper was king in Bisbee was many years.The Copper Queen mine conducts tours daily into the depths of the Mule Mountains where miners sweated out their days. The Lavender Pit is the largest open pit mine in Arizona and is worth a short stop as you pass through Bisbee to reach the ballpark in the neighborhood of Warren on the southern end of town.

The Copper Queen Hotel was built in 1902 and still retains a lot of the charm of that period even though it has had modern renovations. It location in the center of the historic district and next to the Mining Museum makes it a great location for your adventures in Bisbee. Room 315 is supposed to be haunted by a former prostitute who appears only to male tenants and does an alluring strip tease.I stayed in room 317 with my wife and was not disturbed by any spirits.

Bisbee is all about the mining history of the area.Even the ballpark was built to allow miners to have recreation on their time off from digging Copper. The quaint downtown has narrow streets and interesting shops and people.One bicycle shop is called the Bisbee Bicycle Bordello.A big B in white sits atop the high hill above the town announcing the town below. Bisbee is a very walkable town with most sites, stores, and restaurants close by.I ran into two store owners sitting on a bench outside their establishments. I was drawn to their period clothing and they happily posed for my camera.Bisbee is full of such characters during the Copper City Classic.

Play Ball!

If you go:Bisbee is 200 miles from Phoenix and 100 miles from Tucson.There are a few hotels and B&Bs in town but they fill up fast during the Classic.Consider staying in nearby Sierra Vista or Benson which will give you a wider variety of choices.The Tournament is two days and you can buy tickets on line or at the gate.Two day tickets are $15 or you can pay $10 each day.A small food and drink stand is at the ballpark.The stands are covered but sunscreen is always recommended for the bright Arizona sunshine.Bisbee is a few degrees cooler than Tucson. I would also recommend a stop in Tombstone to see the O.K. Corral, Allen Street and Boot Hill.

Websites:

Friends of Warren Ballpark https://www.friendsofwarrenballpark.com/

Arizona Territories Vintage Baseball Leaguehttp://www.arizonavintagebaseball.com/

Useful links

    http://www.arizonavintagebaseball.com/

    https://www.friendsofwarrenballpark.com