Lou
Schaub

LOU SCHAUB was a well-known figure in baseball circles in Camden for many years. He led the group that owned the Camden baseball team for many years, a non-league affiliated professional team. He never did manage to bring a minor league team to Camden, but his Camden club played many of the traveling teams of the 1920s and 1930s, including many of the leading Negro League clubs. Several players who had or would see duty with major and/or minor league clubs played for Schaub's teams. From 1924 through at least 1928 he employed ex-major league Bill "Wid" Conroy as manager. His team's home field through 1930 was the old Public Service ball field at Twelfth and Federal Streets, in the lot just west of the old Sears Roebuck building. By 1931 the team's home diamond was in Fairview.

James "Lefty" York

James Edward "Lefty" York pitched for Lou Schaub's Camden team in the 1920s. 

He was born Nov. 1, 1892 in West Fork, Arkansas.  Lefty York came to the major leagues in 1919. he pitched two games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1919, losing both, the first being against the Chicago White Sox. Two years later, he pitched for the Chicago Cubs appearing in 40 games mostly in relief. He started 10 games, overall recording five wins and losing nine. The Cubs signed him to a minor league contract and assigned him to Reading in the International league in 1929, but never recalled him to the big leagues. Lefty York remained in the area. He died on April 9, 1961 in York, Pennsylvania. 

Camden Courier-Post - January 5, 1928

CAMDEN FANS ANTICIPATE ADVENT OF LEAGUE BASEBALL
LOU SCHAUB FAVORS PLAN TO FORM NEW BALL LOOP
Camden Manager Almost Certain to Take Franchise In New Class B League
MAY BE SIX CLUB CIRCUIT

By TOM RYAN  

Camden Courier-Post - January 9, 1928

Camden Courier-Post January 21, 1928

Camden Courier-Post - January 21, 1928

SHERRID AND DOYLE CAN MAKE OR BREAK LENNOX
If Hurlers Eggie Recommended to Yankees Make the Grade, 
Camden Star is More Than Likely to Obtain Job as Scout With World’s Champions

By TOM RYAN

“Wouldn’t it be a big boost for Eggie Lennox if Roy Sherrid and Johnny “Lefty” Doyle both show enough stuff to become regular members of the New York Yankees’ pitching staff this year?”

 That’s the remark which was pined by a rabid baseball fan today when it was reported that the Yanks are combing the country for a brace of southpaw flingers, but, in a pinch, will split their needs and take one left-hander and another tuner who heaves the right way. The Yanks are sadly in need of another southpaw. Herb Pennock is the only unorthodox flinger remaining on the Yanks’ payroll, “Dutch” Reuther and Joe Giard having passed on to other fields.

 However, what interested the local “bug” is the fact that Lennox recommended both Sherrid and Doyle as pitching prospects to the Yankees’ management and that both flingers are almost certain to accompany the club on its spring training trip.

 Both Hurlers Well Known Here

 Although Sherrid and Doyle are not local pitching products, South Jersey fans are as highly interested in their welfare as if they belonged in this section. Sherrid’s home is in Norristown, while Doyle is a resident of Philadelphia, but owing to the fact that Sherrid hurled for Lou Schaub’s Camden Club and Ocean City, and that Doyle pitched for both Clementon and Gibbsboro in the County League, they have every fan in this area pulling for them to make the grade.

 “If Sherrid and Doyle should both be retained by the Yankees, Lennox’s ability in selecting prospective big league pitchers should entitle him to grab off a scouting job with the Yankees, for that’s what they appear to be in need of for the next few years more than any other players,” continued the fan. “At that, the Yankees’ management must think well of’ Lennox’s judgment when they tendered both youngsters a con­tract on his recommendation.

 “And it wouldn’t be surprising if both Sherrid anti Doyle exhibit enough ‘stuff’ on the training trip to stick, as I have seen them in action and believe they have the ability to land a job in the ‘big show’,”  said the fan in bringing his oration to a close.

 Sherrid’s Start Like Fairy Tale

 The “booster’s” views are shared by hundreds of other South Jersey fans who have seen both curvers display their pitching prowess, and who are expecting great things from Sherrid and Doyle in the near future.Sherrid’s start in first class independent baseball reads like a tale from the Arabian nights.

 In mid-season of 1921, Schaub’s pitching corps was badly in need of bolstering and the Camden pilot was willing to go the limit to obtain an effective flinger, but could, not land one who could turn in victories with any consistcncy until Sherrid bobbed up on the horizon.

 Here’s how it all happened.

 Walter “Reds” Harris, now resident of Norristown, but who is well known to older baseball fans here, having played with Camden A. C., X.X.V., and several other semi-pro clubs in Camden, had been touting Sherrid to Schaub, and though the latter thought Sherrid was a “bloomer” like several dozen other flingers who had been boosted to him earlier in the season, he was in such a bad way for pitchers that he told Harris to bring Sherrid to Catasauqua and that he’d. look him over at least.

 Works Two Days Hard Running

 Harris, who had plugged Sherrid’s wares to Schaub for several weeks, was tickled to death with the proposal and towed his find up to Catasauqua the day Camden was due to tackle the “Catties.” Schaub liked Sherrid’s looks and wanted him to work that day, but was skeptical about starting him as the kid admitted he had worked nine innings the night before at Norristown.

 Nevertheless, he insisted he could go the route again that day and he proved it. The home forces only got three blows and as a result of Sherrid’s airtight flinging, Camden won 3 to 1. After that exhibition, Sherrid, who was then pitching under the name of Richards, owing to the fact that he still was attending college, became a regular member of the Camden hurling staff. He won six straight for the locals before joining Ocean City, where he continued his great work, winning 12 out of the 14 games in which he participated.

 However, before leaving Camden, Sherrid signed an agreement to play with the Yankees. Lennox, sensing a great curver in Sherrid, wrote Eddie Holly, who was then an Ivory hunter for the Yankees, just what a great prospect Sherrid appeared to be and after looking him over once, Holly immediately offered him a contract upon which Sherrid placed his signature without the slightest hesitation.

 Is Student at Albright College

 The burly hurler returned to school that fall and rejoined Camden last spring. He only worked two or three games here before he was sent to York, of the New York-Penn League, by the Yankees. He was well up among the leading hurlers at the close of the race in that circuit and his showing evidently made an impression on Miller Huggins for Sherrid’s name appears on the list of the players who are expected to accompany the club on its spring training trip.

 Sherrid still is attending Albright College, but is expected to grad­uate shortly. However, even though he does not obtain his sheepskin by the time the Yanks start south he more than likely will foreswear his de­gree and accompany the club when he gets the call to report.

 From Clementon to Yanks in Two Leaps

 Doyle, while not as tall or as heavy as Sherrid, is one of the sweetest little left-handers ever to toe a slab. He first broke into the limelight in this section when he accepted an offer to hurl for Clementon, of the Camden County League, in the spring of 1926. Johnny was a success from the start and it wasn’t long before every club in the circuit was “leery” of facing his southpaw slants.

 But, he didn’t linger long with the “Clams.” Offered better inducements by several other clubs in the league, he broached the matter to Roy Nichols, who was managing Clementon, and as the latter team had no chance to win the crown and could not afford to increase Doyle’s salary.

 “Nick” did more than the average manager would do by turning him loose to sign with any club he desired. Johnny hooked up with Gibbsboro and his brilliant hurling kept them in the title hunt until the final days of the race.

 He rejoined the “paintmakers” at the start of last year’s campaign, but also signed up with Lansdale of the Montgomery County League, where Lennox, who was a member of the Pottstown Club, of the same circuit, became so impressed with his work that he also recommended him to the Yankees.

 Lennox Likes Both Boys’ Chances

 Paul Kritchell is the Yankee scout who signed Doyle upon Lennox’s say so, and if anyone should ask Eggie just what he thinks of both boys’ chances of sticking in the “main show’ he’ll get the answer, ‘if they don’t make the grade it won’t be because they haven’t got the stuff, for both of them have enough to make it  tough for nearly any club in baseball today.

 That’s what Eggie thinks of Sherrid and Doyle, and if they should vindicate his judgment, he will gain recognition as being one of the best pickers of hurling material in the country.

 “Every fan who is acquainted with Sherrid and Doyle is pulling for them to cop a regular berth with the world’s champions, for they are clean-cut youngsters both on and off the field.

Camden Courier-Post - January 23, 1928

 CAMDEN WILL NOT ENTER NEW BASEBALL LEAGUE
Schaub States He Will Not Purchase Franchise in Proposed Class B Circuit-
Failure to Obtain Jersey City Territory Given as Cause of Change in Plans

By TOM RYAN

“You may state definitely that Camden will not enter the proposed North-South Baseball League this year.”

That is Lou Schaub’s answer to the query as to just what he intended doing in the matter of accepting a franchise in a new Class B circuit in which Camden had been extended an invitation to join, together with Trenton, Jersey City, Allentown, Easton, Norfolk, and Richmond.

“I wired Judge William H. Bramham, one of the organism of the league, last night that Camden would not enter the circuit under any circumstances. The fact that Jersey City cannot be represented in the league is the reason for Camden not taking a franchise, yet there were several other angles, mostly financial, which did not appeal to the local club owners,” continued Schaub.

When the St. Louis Cardinals recently bought the Rochester Club; of the International League, and in turn transferred the Syracuse Club to Jersey City, that decided our stand in the matter. Without Jersey City in the league, the proposition doesn’t look good to us.

Jersey City Would have “Made League”

“The circuit which was proposed at the only meeting I attended was one that I thought should prove a success. The cities suggested and which were represented at that meeting included Trenton, Allentown,1 Jersey City, Easton, Camden, Norfolk and Richmond. Of course, the league organizers were in favor of * six-club circuit and as Easton, so far as I could understand, had no ball park, it was the thought that the other six clubs represented would form the circuit.

“Jersey City, represented by Dick Breen, was not free to enter the circuit at that time due to territorial rights owned by the International League, but it was thought that that matter could be adjusted without any undue difficulty, the club having been out of that circuit for the past two years. Breen was one of the most enthusiastic prospective club owners present and inferred that he would have little trouble in interesting enough capital to purchase a franchise providing the International League would void its territorial rights to Jersey City.

Would Have Cost $10,000 to Enter Circuit

“We fully intended to enter the circuit if Jersey City, Trenton, Allentown, Richmond and Norfolk comprised the circuit even though it would cost us in the neighborhood of $10,000 to even open the park for league ball. However, the failure to secure Jersey City, doesn’t warrant our spending any considerable sum of money despite the fact that the organizers notified me to the effect that they were willing to cut down the good faith guarantee from $3,000 to $2,000, and the time limit from five years to one year as was originally proposed at the meeting I attended.

“In fact, only making the clubs post a thousand dollars for one year was worse than the original plan. Suppose we went to the expense of improving Public Service Park, upon which we hold a three-year lease, which is far from iron clad, as it states that the company has the right to use it at the close of any baseball season for whatever purposes they desire, and that Public Service decided to use the park at the close of the present year, or that the league ‘blew’ in mid-year. We’d be out of luck, and how.

“Our good faith guarantee of $2,000 would be returned to us in event the league ‘blew,’ but that would be just a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money that would have to be expended in refitting the park and obtaining ball players. And I don’t like the looks of the circuit without Jersey City in it.

Would Have Taken Chance With Jersey City

“Then again, if the Public Service Corporation decided to utilize the park for any purpose after this year we’d be in a worse jam even though the league went through. But, we would have taken both chances if Jersey City had been included in the league as we felt that it was one of the clubs which would have given the league a sound footing and which would have been a main factor in making it a success.

“Of course, that is mere supposition on our part, but the position we are in now hardly call, for the club owners to invest dose to $10,000 in getting a franchise in a new league.

Will Run Same Sort of Club This Year as Last Year

“Besides the expense of improving the local park, we would have been forced to spend considerable money to obtain players. Although some players might be awarded Camden from the Virginia League Club whose franchise we would have been granted, there was little likelihood of there being any worthwhile material go with the franchise. Therefore, in order to compete with the other clubs we would have been compelled to either buy or at least give a signing bonus to players who would have been useful to the club.

“No, it isn’t worth the chance and you may inform the public that we’re not going in the league. If Jersey City had been included in the league, we were ready to invest the money, but the circuit as it now stands, often no inducements for us to join, but you can also inform the fans that we will be in the field with another good independent club this year,” were Schaub’s parting words.

“Barney” Tracy on Way Home

Here’s more baseball news which will interest quite a number of local fans. Received a letter from Harry “Barney” Tracy, who has been playing winter baseball with Tony Pasquerella’s Crisfield Club in Porto Rico for the past two months. The “redhead” writes that he will be home almost any day now as he arid the other members of the club sailed for South America on January 16.

“Barney” informs us he has seen all there is to see of Porto Rico and then some. The club played from one end of the island to the other and if they missed a town it was because that town didn’t have a ball orchard. They played most of their exhibition games opposed to the Ponce Club, which included San, of the Cuban Stars, and Daviu, former1y of Allentown, but who is now the property of the Binghamton Club, of the New York-Penn League.

San Made Great Record Here

San, incidentally, is the flinger who established one of the greatest strikeout feats ever witnessed here when he fanned three Camden batsmen on nine pitched balls in a game played between the Cuban Stars and Lou Schaub’s club last summer. Every one of the strikes was a legal affair. All three batsmen swung at every pitch and the fact that not a one was fouled made the feat one of the most remarkable ever turned in on a local lot.

However, that’s that, and we’ll go back to Tracy. He states that Pasquerella sailed for home in advance of the other members of the club, and that Tony Luciano’s brother was killed in an auto accident December 26. Whether or not Luciano was a member of the club “Barney” doesn’t state, but evidently he was, although he was not listed among the players who were to form the starting party.

He closed his letter with a request that his regards be extended to all his friends, so we’re using this method to inform them that he’s okeh and hopes everyone else is the same.

Neil Deighan - Freddy Heimach - Joe Hyde - Lou Schaub  
Immaculate Conception - Joe Sheehan - Abe Corotis

Camden Courier-Post * April 2, 1928

Camden Courier-Post * April 24, 1928

Camden Courier-Post * June 30, 1928

Camden Courier-Post * June 5, 1931

CAMDEN TO TACKLE HILLDALE ON SUNDAY
Schaub Announces New Additions to Lineup
Against Colored Stars in Twin Bill

A few changes have been made in the roster of the Camden club, which will tackle the strong Hilldale outfit in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at the Fairview athletic field:

The opening game is slated to start promptly at 2 o'clock.

It will mark the second time this season that Hilldale has been the attraction at the local park, with both Clubs splitting even in the initial twin bill. However, Lou Schaub, local pilot, with the addition of a few players, is in hopes of taking both ends of the argument on Sunday. 

Schaub announced that he has been negotiating for the services of Johnny Hensel, former star southpaw of Camden Catholic and Villanova College, who saw action with the New York Giants and Boston Braves last year. As yet no definite arrangement has been made, but the local manager is confident that terms will be agreed upon and Hensel will be in uniform on Sunday.

Two other additions are expected to be made to the club. "Duke" Gartland, who has seen service with numerous minor league clubs during the past few years, may also be in Camden regalia tomorrow, afternoon when the Schaubmen tackle Orange at the latter's field prior to the Sunday combat here. Gartland can play either the infield or outfield.

George Gilham, another veteran who played with the locals a number of years ago when the home field was situated at Twelfth and Federal streets, and who recently has been playing with the Trenton club, will be seen in action here starting Sunday, Gilham is a catcher and an outfielder.

Schaub also announced that he has severed connections with Norman Plitt, former Brooklyn Dodger hurler, who, has been twirling, of late for Camden. "Rube" Chambers, stellar southpaw, and Bill Woodlington, another portsider, will start the two games against Hilldale.

Camden Courier-Post
June 6, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 9, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 10, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 11, 1932

BLACK YANKS HERE IN DOUBLE-HEADER
Camden Club to Entertain Colorful Stars at Fairview Ball Park

Probably the greatest collection of colored talent in the country will perform before local fans tomorrow afternoon at the Fairview Athletic Field when the New York Black Yankees and Lou Schaub's Camden Club engage in a double-header. The opening game is slated to start promptly at 2 o'clock.

This will be' the first appearance of the New Yorkers here this season.

Schaub had originally scheduled them for the opening game of the season, but rain forced the cancellation of, the game 

Due to the fact that the Yankees, happened to have an open date for this Sunday,Schaub immediately grabbed the chance of bringing this fast-moving outfit here. The players comprising the New York ensemble are of the best in the country and is the finest collection of stars gathered in one team. 

They have a pitching staff that ranks with the best, namely, ”Reds" Ryan, Phil Rolland, Luther Farrell and Gandy. A number of other out-standing players who will be in the lineup are Yancey, Riggins, Smith, Rector, "Fat" Jenkins and George Scales, who also manages the club.

The Yanks have taken on all kinds of opposition since the season started and have made the best bite the dirt. The most recent visit of the New Yorkers in the section was last Tuesday when they defeated the Mayfair Club of Philadelphia, a team which also bowed to the Schaubmen. 

Schaub announced that the pitching assignments will be turned over to the veteran Johnny "Rube" Chambers and Jack Kimble, Wildwood High athletic director, who has been twirling splendid ball for Camden this season.

Tommy Naughton and Joe Hyde will take care of the receiving, with the former probably donning the mask and windpad in the opener.

The local infield will be taken care of by Bill O'Donnell on first with Bill "Jigger" Black at second, and Joe Snyder at shortstop, while either Ernie Padgett or Fritz Schadel will hold down third base. In the outfield will be Dick Spalding, George Gilham and Bill Graupner, the latter having recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he captained the nine.

Camden Courier-Post * June 13, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 18, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 3, 1933

CAMDEN TO TACKLE WASHINGTON PILOTS
Locals Hope to Regain Win Stride in Twin-Bill at ­Fairview Tomorrow

The Washington Pilots, who were considered one of the outstanding colored clubs in the East last year, will make their first appearance of the season here this Sunday at the Fairview Athletic Field when they meet Lou Schaub's Camden Club in a double-header.

Last year the locals had somewhat of a success with the Pilots, winning two out of the five-game series. This season, especially during the past month, the locals have not been hitting their accustomed pace.

Despite the fact that Schaub has made various efforts in strengthening the club, the locals have been continually dropping double-headers with the string having now reached seven as a result of a double setback at the hands of the Bacharach Giants last Sunday.

Schaub announced last night that there is a possibility that he may sign a few new players before Sunday in another effort to bolster the club, which has been woefully weak in hitting.

"Rube" Chambers, veteran south­paw, who is the "iron-man" of the club, is expected to open the first game on the hill With Jack Kimble working the nightcap. Tommy Naughton and Tommy Williams will share the catching duties.

Camden Courier-Post * June 9, 1933

CAMDEN TO TACKLE WESTVILLE TOSSERS
Schaubmen on New Winning Streak Hope 10 Make It Four in Row on Sunday

Lou Schaub's Camden club will endeavor to make it four in a row when it tackles "Dutch" Dietrich's Westville club in a double-header on Sunday afternoon at the Fairview Athletic field. The opening game is scheduled to start promptly at 2 p. m. 

Last week the Schaubmen regained their winning stride after an extended losing streak by turning back the Washington Pilots in both ends of a twin bill. 

"Rube" Chambers, who has been pulling games out of the fire for the locals for the past few seasons, will start the opening game, while Jack Kimble, Wildwood High teacher, will toss 'em up in the nightcap.

Just who Dietrich will use for the double-header is a question. The Westville pilot has a number of first class pitchers to throw against the locals and it is likely that his selections will probably be from Al McKee, Roger "Reds" Kean or Hazelton, with "Chick" Hoell doing the backstopping. 

Tommy Naughton and Tom Williams will divide the catching duties for Camden, while the infield will be composed of Zehran, at first; Tom Bragg, at second; Joe Snyder, at short, and Ernie Padgett, at third. The outfield will consist of Dick Spalding, Eddie Ryan and Bill Coleman.

Camden Courier-Post - June 10, 1933

WESTVILLE TO MEET CAMDEN TOMORROW 
'Villagers' Expected to Give Schaubmen Battle In Twin-Bill at Fairview

Lou Schaub's Camden Club will make its first drive against South Jersey talent tomorrow afternoon when it meets "Dutch" Diedrich's Westville outfit in a double-header at the Fairview Athletic Field. The opening game is slated to start promptly at 2 p. m. 

Westville for the past few years has been considered as one of the outstanding semi-pro clubs in this section of the state and boasts of many outstanding players. With a few exceptions the team is practically the same which has been playing together since the start of the Bi­County League a few years ago, but which is now out of existence. 

While playing in the circuit, the "Villagers" captured the pennant two years in succession. Last year they played independent baseball and met some of the best colored clubs in the East with marked success. The same goes for this season, and as a result Camden can look forward to a pair of stiff tussles. 

Diedrich will use the same group of players who have been mowing down teams from Philadelphia and that vicinity. Manager Diedrich will probably pick his starting pitchers from Roger "Reds" Kean, Al McKee and Hazelton with "Chick" Hoell during the receiving. 

"Rube" Chambers, the "iron-man" of the local outfit, will most likely start the opening game with Jack Kimble, the Wildwood High teacher, working the nightcap. Tommy Naughton and Tom Williams will divide the catching duties. .

Camden Courier-Post * June 12, 1933

WESTVILLE SPLITS EVEN WITH CAMDEN
'Villagers' Take Opener 5-4 But Lose Nightcap in Twelfth, 6 to 5

"Dutch" Diedrich's Westvllle club gained an even split with Lou Schaub's Camden Club in a double­header yesterday afternoon at the Fairview Athletic Field. The 'Villagers" captured the opening game 5 to 4, but lost the 12-inning nightcap 6 to 5.

A flurry of base hits is which they drove Jack Kimble from the mound in the fourth inning, after the latter had sprained his ankle, enabled Westvllle to score all their five runs to take the opening game. 

"Rube" Chambers then relieved Kimble and held the "Villagers" at bay during the balance of the game. Camden took the lead with two runs in the third and added another in the fourth. The locals' final marker came in the ninth. 

"Bud" Scharnagl and Edward went the route for their respective teams in the nightcap. Westville appeared to have the final game clinched, holding a 5 to 3 lead at the start of the home team's half of the ninth. 

Camden, however, rallied to knot the count when Walt Welham, singled to center and Dick Spalding, batting for "Buddy" McGarrigan, tripled to center to score Welham. After George Shefflott had flied out, Tommy Williams came through with a single to right to score Spalding with the tying marker. 

Then in the twelfth frame, Joe Snyder was hit by a pitched ball and went to second on Chambers' sacrifice. Snyder took third on Wheatley's error of Padgett's grounder and scored when Jack O'Donnell was safe on a fielder's choice. 

Camden Courier-Post - June 24, 1933

LARGE CROWD EXPECTED TO SEE CARDINALS HERE
Chambers to Face Either Mooney or Johnson at Fairview Field Tomorrow
BLEACHERS ARE ERECTED

Camden Courier-Post * June 30, 1933

LOCALS, ALL-STARS IN NIGHT SKIRMISH
Camden to Meet Ed Bolden's Colored Club at Fairview This Sunday