Bridgeport's Rich and Diverse Baseball History Comes to Life with Book by Michael J. Bielawa

Michael J. Bielawa, author of BRIDGEPORT BASEBALL, celebrates the rich and diverse history of Bridgeport, CT baseball. Bielawa will be at the downtown Fairfield University Bookstore, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 255-7756 to meet & greet customers and sign copies on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 12:00pm-3:00pm.

Bridgeport, Connecticut, owns a rich and diverse baseball history. People from varied backgrounds stepped up to the plate in Bridgeport’s early years--sons of Irish immigrants, laborers and merchants, Asian and Latino players, and some of the first African Americans to play professional ball. Local baseball truly blossomed with “Orator” Jim O’Rourke, who returned from the big leagues and organized the Connecticut State Baseball League in 1895. Numerous Bridgeport teams evolved, including the Victors, Mechanics, Bolts, Americans, and Bears.

BRIDGEPORT BASEBALL traces the game from the post-Civil War era to today. Baseball beneath the roaring smokestacks of industrial Bridgeport included visits by barnstorming Major League and Negro League teams, future Hall of Famers, and a train wreck that almost killed the St. Louis Cardinals. The smokestacks are silent now, yet the legacy of Bridgeport baseball continues to evolve with the Bridgeport Bluefish. The team, owners, staff, fans, and stadium have all contributed to celebrate the living history that is Bridgeport Baseball.

Michael J. Bielawa is a recognized authority on New England and Louisiana baseball and has served as a consultant to professional baseball clubs and museums. Mike’s baseball work has appeared in numerous journals and newspapers, including MLB’s Official All-Star-Game Program, and he was a project manager for the James O’Rourke statue at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Copies of BRIDGEPORT BASEBALL will be available for purchase at the downtown Bookstore event.

For more Bookstore events please visit www.fairfield.edu/bookstore or www.facebook.com/FairfieldUBookstore.