Question about baseball manufacturers (Tober)

GGC · 07-03-2003, 10:48 AM

Has anyone ever heard of the Tober Company? My mother and grandfather told me that they made official Major League baseballs at some point mid-century. That claim might just be a case of hometown pride because the factory was in Rockville, Connecticut.

My guess is that they were a supplier for Spalding. In any case, the company allegedly met its end due to some scandal (murder? accounting?) This whole Tober Company thing sounds like a good choice for my next research project. Anyone here know of any good leads?

GGC

sweaver · 07-03-2003, 11:19 AM

A quick Google search didn't turn up anything that looked promising. Probably need more to go on.

Glad you're back, GGC.

GGC · 07-03-2003, 11:24 AM

Thanks, Sweaver. BTW, I like your mid-term report cards. IIRC, you're an educator.

Yeah, Google, that's the first thing that I tried. I have some other options that I'll try. One of these days, maybe this weekend if the weather stinks, I'm going to finish up that article on the 1890 night baseball game in Hartford, but I'm always looking ahead to the next project.

GGC

sweaver · 07-03-2003, 12:33 PM

Yep, I are a teacher, as well as a former part-time newspaper writer.

Wolf Hopper · 07-03-2003, 12:58 PM

I checked the new Dickson Baseball Dictionary - nada.

pathogan · 07-03-2003, 01:55 PM

...I check spelling thinking Tobor,why does that ring a bell...

GGC · 07-03-2003, 02:37 PM

I'm going to try and checkout the local historical society soon; maybe today, if I can escape work early.

GGC

gyb13 · 07-03-2003, 04:13 PM

from the completely unrelated but funny department
my kickball team's name was Sotally Tober

pathogan · 07-04-2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gyb13
from the completely unrelated but funny department
my kickball team's name was Sotally Tober

SHOELESSJOE3 · 07-08-2003, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GGC
Has anyone ever heard of the Tober Company? My mother and grandfather told me that they made official Major League baseballs at some point mid-century. That claim might just be a case of hometown pride because the factory was in Rockville, Connecticut.
GGC

I have done quite a bit of research on the history of the ball. went through some of my old books and CDs where I have stored much info. The name Tober does not appear, any where.

I assume your speaking of the 19th century. The fact that the name Tober does not pop up does not mean that they never existed. Before 1860 most balls were made by hand, mostly at home. There is no record of even informal rules governing the size. I could not find the names of any ball makers from that time other than Ben Shibe and Alfred Reach. Shibe approached Reach in 1865 with a proposal to manufacture a standardized baseball. Reach and Shibe opened a small factory on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

Soon after a number of ball makers were turning out standardized baseballs. So the fact that there were more than a few ball makers around that time with names unknown leaves open the possibility that Tober could have been one of the ball makers. The only name of a ball maker that I could find from that time period was Reach.

One of the best books, make that the best, on the evolution of the bat and the ball is "Big Sticks" written by William Curran, published by William Morrow and Company in 1990.

GGC · 07-08-2003, 09:15 AM

Actually, Shoeless, I did do a little bit of research on the company. They were around until the 1970s and their history stretched back to at least the 1950s. They definitely manufactured softballs and Little League baseballs. If I find out more, I'll try and keep you guys posted.

SHOELESSJOE3 · 07-09-2003, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GGC
They definitely manufactured softballs and Little League baseballs. If I find out more, I'll try and keep you guys posted.

Sure thing, any more info is welcome.

TXRangers72 · 07-15-2003, 08:14 PM

Hi GGC, did you ever find out anything about Tober baseballs? I actually have one of the balls in the original box and it was indeed manufactured in Rockville, Conn. I was wondering about it myself. It looks to be from the '50s. Let me know if your ever heard something more about its history.

Mike

TGwynn19 · 07-15-2003, 08:37 PM

Welcome TX!!! Please feel free to head over the the Icebreakers forum to tell us more about you! Glad to have you here!!

GGC · 07-15-2003, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXRangers72

Hi GGC, did you ever find out anything about Tober baseballs? I actually have one of the balls in the original box and it was indeed manufactured in Rockville, Conn. I was wondering about it myself. It looks to be from the '50s. Let me know if your ever heard something more about its history.

Mike

Not yet. I just finished a rough draft of an article on another aspect of Connecticut baseball history. I plan to do a little more digging soon, but summer is tough time for research, as I am finding out. Libraries curtail their hours, et cetera.

07-03-2003, 10:48 AM	#1
GGC NetShrine MVP Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 299	Question about baseball manufacturers (Tober) Has anyone ever heard of the Tober Company? My mother and grandfather told me that they made official Major League baseballs at some point mid-century. That claim might just be a case of hometown pride because the factory was in Rockville, Connecticut. My guess is that they were a supplier for Spalding. In any case, the company allegedly met its end due to some scandal (murder? accounting?) This whole Tober Company thing sounds like a good choice for my next research project. Anyone here know of any good leads? GGC __________________ Gary Geiger Counter 796.357 GV 862 Baseball History

07-03-2003, 11:24 AM	#3
GGC NetShrine MVP Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 299	Thanks, Sweaver. BTW, I like your mid-term report cards. IIRC, you're an educator. Yeah, Google, that's the first thing that I tried. I have some other options that I'll try. One of these days, maybe this weekend if the weather stinks, I'm going to finish up that article on the 1890 night baseball game in Hartford, but I'm always looking ahead to the next project. GGC __________________ Gary Geiger Counter 796.357 GV 862 Baseball History

07-03-2003, 12:58 PM	#5
Wolf Hopper NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 6,191	I checked the new Dickson Baseball Dictionary - nada. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator POSTING TIP FOR THE DAY: When composing a post, think about what you would say if the intended recipient was an individual who was actually sitting just two feet in front of you, in person, rather than just some far away and anonymous audience who only can identify you as text on a PC screen - - and then write your post in that manner. It makes for remarkable and sincere discourse.

07-03-2003, 01:55 PM	#6
pathogan william Blake's Innkeeper Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,828	so of course ...I check spelling thinking Tobor,why does that ring a bell...

07-03-2003, 02:37 PM	#7
GGC NetShrine MVP Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 299	I'm going to try and checkout the local historical society soon; maybe today, if I can escape work early. GGC __________________ Gary Geiger Counter 796.357 GV 862 Baseball History

07-03-2003, 11:19 AM	#2
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	A quick Google search didn't turn up anything that looked promising. Probably need more to go on. Glad you're back, GGC.

07-03-2003, 12:33 PM	#4
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	Yep, I are a teacher, as well as a former part-time newspaper writer.

07-03-2003, 04:13 PM	#8
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	from the completely unrelated but funny department my kickball team's name was Sotally Tober __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

07-08-2003, 09:15 AM	#11
GGC NetShrine MVP Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 299	Actually, Shoeless, I did do a little bit of research on the company. They were around until the 1970s and their history stretched back to at least the 1950s. They definitely manufactured softballs and Little League baseballs. If I find out more, I'll try and keep you guys posted. __________________ Gary Geiger Counter 796.357 GV 862 Baseball History

07-15-2003, 08:14 PM	#13
TXRangers72 Having A NetShrine Cup Of Coffee Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1	Tober baseball Hi GGC, did you ever find out anything about Tober baseballs? I actually have one of the balls in the original box and it was indeed manufactured in Rockville, Conn. I was wondering about it myself. It looks to be from the '50s. Let me know if your ever heard something more about its history. Mike

07-15-2003, 08:37 PM	#14
TGwynn19 Guest Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,087	Welcome TX!!! Please feel free to head over the the Icebreakers forum to tell us more about you! Glad to have you here!!

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