....

During the 1920's other athletic fields at the Exposition grounds and the Boston and Albany railroad yards afforded opportunities for more teams. A third, Sheehan Field, was later to be the scene of many of many Catholic League games, as well as those played by high shool and American League teams.

Baseball -- whether it was big team and national laeague or sand-lot and home town -- was the mot popular American sport during the 20's, 30's and 40's, so West Springfield was not really unique in its enthusiam for the game.
What did eventually guarantee West Springfield a place in baseball history was a little altar boy who once played baseball for the Immaculate Conception Church. Being on the short side, he made up in energy and cockiness for what he lacked in height. And, being always ready with a wisecrack comment, he was later to become known by the nickname "Lippy" or as "The Lip."

This was Leo Durocher, whose mother had supplemented the family's meager income by stitching baseballs in a local factory until two weeks before her son's birth.

Leo, the fourth son of George and Clara Durocher, was born 27 July 1906 on School Street in West Springfield. Most people would say he was born on the wrong side of the tracks -- that was where his father worked for the Boston and Albany Railroad and where the baseball field was. ...

p116, 1969 edition
This book maybe periodically re-published, and may be available new or used if in stock, meanwhile ..especailly with these pages ..contact me for a 'look-up' of names to verify a genealogical name or history as far back as 1636 or this recent? history ...
scottagin@webtv.net

West Springfield Heritage Association.