Bat of a different color
Larry Sassone has been a part of Pullman Park for decades.
He played baseball there for the Butler Cubs in 1972-73. Now 56, the lifelong Butler resident has been attending games at the park ever since.
This year, he became a Butler BlueSox season ticket holder and his family hosted Brett Zurliene, one of the team's infielders.
"I've been coming here for a lot of years," Sassone said. "I love what they've done to the park."
So he decided to do something for it.
Sassone saw a Peter Max painting titled "The Bat" at the Sirani Gallery in Pittsburgh. The artwork consists of a baseball bat that Max was commissioned to paint as the official artist of the 2000 World Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets.
"The Bat" is one of only two dozen signed by the artist.
"As soon as I saw that piece, I wanted to buy it for Pullman Park," Sassone said. "This place has given me so many memories. I wanted to give something back."
Sassone paid $4,200 for the artwork that will be displayed at the new Pullman Park Museum located next to the concession stand at the ballpark.
Stadium manager Dess Schnur said another painting worth $1,200 was donated to the museum by Butler resident Tim Panei earlier this year.
"We've got a lot of old pictures on display in the museum area now that we got through the Butler Eagle," Schnur said. "Other items and memorabilia will be forthcoming, I'm sure."
Sassone donated "The Bat" in recognition of the 25,000 fans who supported the 81 teams that played at Pullman Park this year. The artwork was donated during a special presentation before the BlueSox's final home game of the season recently.
An artist known worldwide for decades, Max has been the official artist for five Super Bowls, World Cup USA, the U.S. Open in tennis and the National Hockey League All-Star Game.
Max is the official artist of the New York Yankees and the new Yankee Stadium this year.
"To bring a historical item like this into our ballpark is an incredibly generous gesture on Larry's part," Schnur said.
"This is where it belongs," Sassone said. "More local baseball fans will see it here than anywhere else."
Sassone will see it plenty of times himself because he plans to renew his BlueSox season tickets and his family will host another player in 2010.
"Some of the kids on this field are major league prospects," he said. "And whether they are or not, the enthusiasm they bring to the game is refreshing.
"They have the ability to play and they're likeable kids. They're easy to support."
Those wishing to donate items to the Pullman Park Museum can call Schnur at 724-355-4889.
