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Knothole gangs came about around the
late 1880s, when professional ballparks
were first being built with wooden
fences. Kids that didn't have the money
for a ticket would gather around knots
that popped out to watch the game for
free. New Orleans Pelicans owner Abner
Powell promoted the first knot hole
gang when he allowed kids to watch free
if they showed good behavior. In time
other clubs developed the idea of
offering kids with good school grades
free admission if they signed up.
The knot Hole Gang Idea, conceived in
1917 by James C. Jones blossomed into
an organization known as the "Knot Hole
Gang." Boys were enrolled through
qualified agencies such as the Boy
Scouts, Parochial schools, Y.M.C.A.,
public and Sunday schools. In 1919
Branch Rickey, President and General
Manger of the St. Louis Cardinals,
endorsed and developed the idea and
took it with him, to Brooklyn in 1943.
The adjustable silver colored metal ring has a decal on top which
depicts
an orange wood fence with a knot hole
that reads "The Knot Hole Gang."
Because of the orange color, "The Knot
Hole Gang" ring was believed to be part
of a Wheaties promotion, but research
shows, there is absolutely no evidence
to support this. No ads exist of any
Wheaties promotion with this ring.
Since it's
conception, organized Knot Hole Gangs
spread across the country, formed by
many professional baseball teams. Boys
that signed up were issued either a
Knot Hole Gang membership card
-or-
membership pin
for admission to selected games.
Sponsored by WSNS TV Channel 44, in
1973, the Chicago White Sox started up
a Knot Hole Gang program. When you
joined for only $5.00, boys and girls
17 years of age or under received this
Knot Hole Gang ring or charm bracelet.
Kids that signed up also received for free: a Knot Hole Gang membership
card, colorful Knot Hole Gang T-Shirt,
Knot Hole Gang poster with full color
photographs and autographs of White Sox
players and Soxettes, decals, bumper
stickers, Knot hole gang binder for
collecting special player decals, and a
free subscription to knot Hole Gang
monthly publication.
You also had free admission to 5 weekend White Sox games, half price
admission to 10 additional White Sox
games when accompanied by an adult, 10%
discount for members and their families
on any White Sox fan tours. A chance to
be on TV, interviewing your favorite
player, getting tips on how to pitch,
bat, and play your favorite position on
one of the more than 200 special Knot
Hole Gang TV shows on Channel 44.
The
scarcity of these rings in the hobby
can be explained because the decals
were easily worn away.
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