Fifteen years ago, Rich Robinson had a dream.
At the time, he had moved from California to Chelsea, and thought it would be a fun idea to organize a baseball game made up of former Howell baseball players, like himself, who would be willing to put on a uniform and recreate, if not relive, their playing days.
The event was a smashing success and was played annually for several years before becoming a biannual event. Last year’s scheduled game was postponed a year due in part to the pandemic and also to construction at the Howell baseball field.
“It was disappointing to have the pandemic interrupt our regularly scheduled game last year,” Robinson said, “but at the same time, the break allowed the school to finish the upgrades to the field and the facilities. I hear the field looks beautiful… I can’t wait to see how everything turned out.”
The game will be played Aug. 6 at the Howell varsity field. Robinson says there is still time for former Highlanders to sign up for the game by clicking on this link.
The deadline for advanced registration is July 10.
They compete for the Bert Tooley Award, named after a former Highlander who played shortstop for the Brooklyn Superbas (later the Dodgers) more than a century ago. The fact that the statue is of a left-handed player (Tooley was right-handed) is considered a technicality.
Players and ther families come out to reminisce, soak up the sun, and renew acquaintances.
“The positive reaction of the players and their families is really gratifying,” said Robinson, who now lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area. “Game day is filled with people coming up to thank me, and it’s such a great feeling to hear their expressions of gratitude. We’re all here because we love baseball and we loved being baseball players for the Highlanders. I’m extremely grateful to experience this with so many who share my love of the game and Howell Baseball.”
The game is a highlight of a weekend that includes postgame reunions to discuss both that day’s game and games otherwise lost in time.
Before this year’s game, the 10th edition, the first pitch will be thrown out by nearly all of the living former coaches of the Highlanders
“No one gets rich coaching high school baseball,” Robinson said, “and these men deserve the recognition for their coaching and their mentoring. Unfortunately, my coach, Ted Klontz is recovering from surgery and won’t be able to make it, but Jim Murray, Tom Burkert, John Dukes and Gregg Merians are expected to be part of that special moment.”
Proceeds for the game go to the Howell High School athletic program. The game will be broadcast on The Livingston Post.
Robinson, a past Tooley award winner, says he will play one inning, then give way to younger players while emphasizing a motto he first heard at a Detroit Tigers fantasy camp decades ago.
“Gates Brown told us, ‘We want you to start out slow, then taper off from there,'” Robinson said. “We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Overall, he says, his vision of the game has matched the reality.
“When this was launched 15 years ago, I had a modest hope that it would catch on and endure,” he said, “and I’m really pleased our little reunion game has kept going. It seems each game has been more fun than the last, and if that’s how the guys have seen it, then this is the success I privately hoped for.”
