New Biscuits Manager! Rickwood Info! History Conference!

 

The Biscuits finally got a new manager! Yet with Kevin Boles taking the helm its difficult to predict what we should expect from him in Montgomery. Boles has made stops at multiple levels with multiple affiliated organizations, as well as recently heading a club in the Appy League, a collegiate wood-bat level. 

Boles shares a similarity to previous Biscuit managers, being the son of a well known baseball man. Like Billy Gardner Jr and Brady Williams, Kevin Boles father made a name in the game as a manager and coach, though the elder Boles, John, staked his claim largely on the collegiate level. John Boles also with the Expos, Royals and Marlins with which he won a World Series title.

The Biscuits new pilot Kevin Boles began managing in 2000 and has plenty of experience with Class-A level clubs. At higher levels Boles struggled to guide his teams to winning records, until 2014 when he earned his first title by guiding the Portland SeaDogs to the championship. 

Boles has managed in the Australian Baseball League, guiding the Perth Heat. His most recent affiliated position was with the Mets triple-A affiliate Syracuse in 2022 earning a 64-85 record. When Boles was promoted to Syracuse from Binghamton, former Biscuit infielder Reid Brignac took over from Boles as manager of the Rumble Ponies.

Kevin Boles career record hovers around the .500 mark and he will surpass 1300 victories soon after the Biscuits season begins.

I look for a professional approach, it just isn't yet clear which approach that will be. The first few weeks of the season will tell fans much about the style of baseball Kevin Boles brings to the Biscuits.

As a double-A skipper, Boles has some work to do, having posted a record forty games under five hundred in his career and in fact carrying a losing record when managing clubs above A ball. He will likely get a nice team full of talent to help him turn that record around.

RICKWOOD INFO 

We are starting to hear info on the Rickwood Classic and Giants/Cardinals Rickwood games. Tickets will be issued via lottery.

The infield is being rebuilt, including the mound which was a concern for outspoken coaches Rich Dotson who listed the White Sox hurlers who had pitched at Rickwood and later would have Tommy John surgery.

The outfield wall is also being torn down and replaced. Add to that the complete rebuild of the dugouts and the old yard wont look quite the same as it did before, but there is a rumor that the MLB Rickwood game could become an annual game.

In between the Biscuits visit and the MLB game there will be a celebrity softball game on the off day, featuring names like Barry Bonds, Deon Sanders and others. Looks like the whole week is shaping up to be quite the event!

mis-dated as 1906, this image is taken in 1910 at the Rickwood opening

CONDOLENCES

Our thoughts are with the family of Jimy Williams, father of longtime Biscuits skipper Brady Williams, who passed away recently. A tough and feisty manager himself, Williams was often seen at Riverwalk watching over his sons Biscuits team. 

CONFERENCE NEWS
The SAC Conference in Montgomery set for May 18th is a SABR event that has been in the planning for over a year. With Montgomery History and Legends as the theme, you can be sure that I will be swinging for the fences on this one!

This week we are proud to announce that Clarence Watkins, author of the book Baseball in Montgomery and Baseball in Birmingham, will be speaking on the subject of his popular work on the sport in our area.

I am also equally thrilled to announce that speaking at the SAC conference this year is Bill Plott, noted historian and author of the book The Negro Southern League. Mr. Plott will be speaking on various topics of Montgomery baseball and its connection to the Negro Leagues.

 

Already on the schedule is Joseph Stewart's presentation on Negro League great Paul Hardy. Mr. Stewart is a respected biographer and brings new information on his research into this Grey Sox catcher and his long an storied career.

Paul Hardy

 

My planned report is focused on the 1954 Montgomery Rebels and its efforts to integrate. Some graphic images and descriptions are involved, a disclaimer will be made before the presentation as this ranges far from the usual baseball story.

I will also offer an update to my research on the timeline of Black Baseball in Montgomery from 1870-1955. Including previously undocumented images and information on Negro League greats, this paper focuses on the accomplishments of professional African-American baseball teams from Montgomery and their impact on the game.

HOW TO ATTEND

Another change to this years conference that I am very proud of is the FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC for the presentations. Having an educated discussion of Montgomery baseball history is a rare event and one we are thrilled to make it open to as many interested people as possible. Usually the SAC is open only to invited researchers and authors in a reserved event, but the rarity of the occasion dictates a much more open door policy for this years conference. 

VIP Packages are only $20! Ballpark tours of Cramton Bowl and Paterson Field are still a go for VIP Package patrons, who will enjoy a tasty lunch catered by one of the areas most noted eateries.

 

If you are interested in attending, presenting research, displaying memorabilia or volunteering to help out, we would love to hear from you! Contact info is on the flyer, feel free to reach out!