Of the wartime baseball equipment manufactured for the armed forces, the actual baseballs used by service members are perhaps the most challenging artifacts to source, curate and authenticate. It is difficult for collectors and curators to navigate through the water of military-used or “issued” baseballs due to the absence of a comprehensive database or collectors’ guide that can detail the 1940s manufacturers and their varying markings that were applied to baseballs.
On December 16, 1941, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that it was committing $125,000 for a bat-and-ball fund to provide equipment to men in armed forces training camps and had already paid $25,000 into the program. A successful WWI armed forces recreation fundraising program known as the Baseball Equipment Fund was the brainchild of Washington Senators owner, Calvin Griffith. Recognizing the need once again, Griffith went back to work supporting the armed forces and established the Bat and Ball Fund that was seeded with the initial donation from MLB which was used to make an initial purchase of baseball equipment that included 18,000 baseballs and 4,500 bats.
The Lannom Manufacturing Company of Tullahoma, Tennessee, a maker of baseballs and softballs under the brand name Worth, was awarded an initial contract by the Bat and Ball Fund to produce some of the 18,000 baseballs. The resulting model, the No. 912-c was produced in 1942 with each ball stamped with, Professional Base Ball Fund.
Our pristine example of the Worth ball is in unused condition and includes the original box and tissue paper. With the exception of a smudge above the Worth stamp on the north panel and a double-strike of the Stratatex stamp on the south panel, the ball is in beautiful condition. The original box shows some shelf-wear on the corners and panels, but all the printing is clear and crisp. The box also bears an adhered seal that surrounds four sides and bears the ball’s model number and Professional Baseball Fund text.
In addition to the Worth ball, Professional Base Ball Fund marked equipment is scarce as these pieces were produced in limited quantities during the war.
Chevrons and Diamonds 