Elwood Bearint
Elwood “Woody” Bearint
ELWOOD BEARINT was born in Philadelphia around 1906, the oldest child of Edward Bearint and his wife Clara. The family moved to the Cramer Hill section of Camden NJ around 1915, the elder Bearint working as a rigger in one of Camden’s many shipyards. By the end of 1919 the family owned a home at 1019 North 26th Street.
Elwood Bearint grew up playing a lot of baseball, and in his day was considered one of Camden’s top players. A left-handed pitcher who could also hit and play the outfield, he was signed by Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics and sent to one of their minor league affiliates. Unfortunately, an injury to his pitching arm ended Elwood Bearint’s days as a pitcher and major league prospect. He was a fixture for years in the semi-pro leagues in and around Camden, and was a member of Cramer Hill’s famed Defiance Athletic Club baseball team. The 1923 Defiance team won 32 games against only 8 losses and three ties. His younger brother, Paul Bearint, also was well known in Camden semi-pro baseball. Paul Bearint was signed by the Yankees and he roomed with Yogi Berra in the minors, and played four seasons in the Philadelphia Athletics farm system. Another brother, Chuck Bearint, also played minor league baseball just after World War II.
Elwood Bearint went into the roofing business. He worked out of his home at 950 North 33rd Street in Cramer Hill, where he lived with his wife, the former Marie Mayer, and children David and Anne.
Elwood Bearint was in Bellmawr NJ on business when he died from an aneurism on August 30, 1954.
Photos
Defiance Athletic Club, 1923 — Elwood “Woody” Bearint is standing, at far left
Elwood and Marie Bearint
1926 Statistics — Chambersburg PA, Blue Ridge League
Batting
| G | AB | R | H | TB | 2B | 3B | HR | SH | SB | BB | HB | RBI | K | AVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 78 | 11 | 20 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | — | 17 | .256 |
Fielding (while playing first base)
| PO | A | E | TC | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 3 | 4 | 117 | .966 |
Pitching
| G | IP | AB | H | R | SH | BB | HB | K | WP | BALK | W | L | ERA | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 83 | 319 | 91 | 53 | 13 | 33 | 4 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5.75 | .556 |
E.L. Bearint
Camden Courier-Post —
East Camden lad who has been signed by Lou Schaub to bolster the Camden flinging staff. Bearint, a southpaw, also is a good clubber and can be used in the outfield in a pinch. He hurled and played first base for Chambersburg, of the Blue Ridge League, in 1927, but joined the Camden Police nine at the start of last season, remaining with the “cops” during the entire season.
Holstein to Hurl for Camden Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Southpaw Again Signs With Schaubmen, Play Lancaster Saturday
Johnny Holstein and Elwood Bearint, a pair of southpaw pitchers have been added to the Camden Club curving corps, according to an announcement made yesterday by Manager Lou Schaub.
Holstein was with Camden last year, while Bearint alternated on the peak and in the outfield for the Camden police and Riverton nines. Either of these portsiders will be sent against George Brand’s Lancaster Red Roses Saturday afternoon when these rivals attempt to lock horns on the diamond after being washed out on two previous occasions.
Camden is scheduled to tackle the New York Farmers in a double-header at Lyndale, L. I. The Farmers have an exceptionally formidable array of performers and the Schaubmen will have to be at their best to come off victorious. Charley See, one-time Cincinnati Reds outfielder, “Bibs” Raymond, an outfielder, formerly with the New York Yanks and George Braun, erstwhile Boston Red Sox third sacker are some of the notables with the Farmers this season.
The addition of Holstein and Bearint to the Camden pitching corps gives it an entirely left-handed aspect as John “Rube” Chambers and Herb Steen, the other flingers are also southpaws.
Bill (Wid) Conroy, former major league infielder, who managed several minor league clubs and is handling the reins of the Camden combination along with Schaub, piloted the Elmira Club of the New York State League to a pennant in 1916 with four left-handed slingers comprising his staff.
Bearint pitched and played first base for the Chambersburg (Pa.) Club of the Blue Ridge League in 1926. He had an opportunity to return last season, but turned it down. Holstein at one-time pitched for Magnolia in the Camden County League.
Manager Schaub made it clear yesterday that unless members of the Camden Club come up to expectations, there will numerous changes [sic] until a winning ensemble is developed. Dick Spalding, former Phillies outfielder will probably play with the Schaubmen in the three games over the coming weekend. Dr. Ad Swigler, Tommy Naughton and George Gilham are the other fly chasers.
The Camden infield will comprise Jake Munch at first, Ralph Kelling covering second and Tony Citrano in short. Jimmy Eberts will be found at third.
Camden Will Clash With Tigers Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Philadelphia Colored Aggregation to Meet Locals at Public Service Park
Lou Schaub’s Camden clubbers will play their first Saturday game in three weeks at Public Service Park today when they collide with the Philadelphia Tigers. The game is scheduled to start at 3.30 p. m.
Ernie Potts, who hurled a creditable contest against Hilldale here last Wednesday night, is slated to work for the Schaubmen again today. Potts heaved the best game against Hilldale that any local curver has pitched on the local lot this year and deserved a better fate than to lose by a count of 10 to 4. Errors at critical stages enabled the Darby Daisies to romp away with an easy victory when perfect baseball would have made the combat a close-score affair.
Potts is out to secure revenge today and the Tigers are likely to experience plenty of trouble in attempting to solve his deliveries. The invaders have been performing at the Bacharach Giants’ Park at Atlantic City and have made a fair showing so far this season.
Bill Minnow, former Phila’ catcher, will do the receiving for Camden, while “Reds” Davis, Joe Marter, Ralph Kelling and Frankie McNeil will round out the infield. Rube Chambers, El. Bearint and Fritz Henrich will cavort in the outfield.
Locals Bow to Warders by 4 to 1 Before 4,000 Fans at King’s Park; Deciding Game to Be Played There
Trenton Times —
Homer by Weygand and Single with Bases Full by Loeble Are Damaging Blows in Upset of Firemen—Trentonians Given Superb Reception
Playing before a crowd estimated at close to 4,000 people at the spacious King’s Park diamond in Camden last night, Standard Fire bowed to the Twelfth Ward Republican Club, of the Camden Twilight League, by a score of 4 to 1. Followers of the “Warders” jammed every nook and cranny of both seating and standing space available to see the champions of Trenton’s City League go down to defeat before the Skeeter nine managed by Bill Langdon.
As Standard won the first game of the series, played last Tuesday night at Trenton, last night’s triumph for the undefeated pace-setters in the Reesman loop evened the intercity championship play with one win apiece. Ed Sutton, pilot of the Standard Fire ship, announced shortly after the contest last night that the third and deciding tilt of the series will be played on Thursday, August 22, at the same place as last night’s affair, King’s Park, Camden.
A home run by Pete Weygand, husky Camden right fielder, that sailed over Al Harrison’s head in centre field and a single by Third Baseman Loeble with the bases full gave the Skeeters all their runs. Trenton’s representatives tallied their lone count when Bennie Wood singled, went to third on the centre fielder’s error and scored on one of Gene Beckner’s three singles of the day.
Hits were plenty in this contest but scoring was rare. Of the eight innings played and the 18 hits made, on only three occasions were more than one hit made in a half inning. On no less than ten times at bat did the team hitting connect for one hit and then fail to advance the runner or have him caught on base with two out. The game was just that hard fought.
One of the most elegant receptions was given the Trenton team. On the way down the Firemen’s bus was met at the city limits by three members of the Camden police, Earl Stopfer, Bill Moll and Robert Ashenfelter, who guided the vehicle to the scene of action. After the game the locals were given free access to the “Y” swimming pool and then were escorted out of the city by Earl Stopfer. The Lyric Band, of Camden, rendered excellent music at the game.
Commissioner Clay Reesman, after whom the Camden Twilight League gets its name, threw out the first ball; and the commissioner seemed a trifle wild, Catcher Albrecht just about snaring the pellet on the official’s high heave.
Jimmy Haines, whom the Camden fans were waiting to see because of his reputation for fly-chasing, made a dramatic entrance. James missed the bus, but rode down with a friend. Arriving rather late he just had time to appear in diamond attire in time to face the Camden pitcher, Werking. In fact, the umpire had already yelled “Play ball” before James appeared on the field.
No score was made until the fourth inning when Weygand, with two out, hit a terrific drive over Al Harrison’s head. The former Pennington Road star raced after the ball and secured it, but it traveled so far that there was no chance of stopping the runner.
Just previous to Weygand’s clout Jimmy Haines—“Lightning” as the Camden scribes call him—made one of his sensational catches off the bat of Al Bearint.
Standard Fire evened the count in the sixth only to have the Warders forge ahead in their half. With two out, Boots Snyder fumbled Dannenhower’s grounder after Bearint had singled. Weygand singled to centre, and the bases were full. Loeble then came through with a hard enough hit single to score all three runners.
Bill Werking, better known as “Inky,” was on the mound for the Camdenites again and did an excellent job of it. In addition to holding the Trenton sluggers to one run he struck out eight. Joey Renyo, who twirled for Standard Fire, deserves lots of credit for his effort. He allowed only one earned run, and it was not his fault that his comrades did not give him some kind of a lead to work on.
From a Trenton standpoint Gene Beckner was easily the hitting star of the game, getting three singles. Weygand’s two blows, a homer and a single, however, had a much more telling effect.
| Standard Fire | ab | r | h | o | a | Twelfth Ward | ab | r | h | o | a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haines, lf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | J. Snyder, ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Harrison, cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Reeves, 2b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Wood, 2b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | W’rshing, cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Beckner, 3b | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Bearint, lf | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lewis, c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Dan’h’wr, 1b | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| G. Snyder, ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Weygand, rf | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Happ, rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Loeble, 3b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Scully, 1b | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | Albrecht, c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Renyo, p | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Werking, p | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 30 | 1 | 8 | 21 | 14 | Totals | 29 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 11 |
Standard Fire ........... 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0—1 Twelfth Ward ........... 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 x—4
Errors: G. Snyder, 2; Wearshing. Home run: Weygand. Sacrifice: J. Snyder. Double play: J. Snyder to Reeves to Donnenhower. Base on balls—off: Werking, 1. Struck out by: Werking, 8; Renyo, 2. Passed balls: Albrecht. Winning pitcher: Werking. Losing pitcher: Renyo. Umpires: Westcott and Irvine.
12th Ward Holds Meeting Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
The 12th Ward Club will hold an important meeting tonight at the home of Robert Loeble, 2707 Westfield avenue, at 8.30 p. m.
The following players are urgently requested to attend: Orv Dannenhower, George Kissinger, Pete Weygand, Elmer Loeble, Bob Loeble, Tom Tracey, El Bearint, Art Watson, Harry Watson, Howard Davidson, Charley Cooper, “Rick” Reeves, Joe De Luca, Joe Snyder, Dick Call, Harold Roth, Bill Cunningham, Bill Brook, Al Bass, Lefty Reynolds and Bill Werking.
Elwood Bearint, Former Athlete, Succumbs at 48
Camden Courier-Post —
Elwood Bearint, 48, a roofer and sheet metal worker, who was active in Camden semi-pro baseball a number of years ago, died on Monday afternoon.
He was stricken while on business in Bellmawr, and was taken by the Bellmawr Fire and Rescue Squad ambulance to the West Jersey Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr. Bearint was a native of Philadelphia and lived in Camden 39 years. His home and office were at 950 North 33rd Street. At one time he was a mechanic in the Camden police garage. He was a member of Trimble Lodge, No. 117 Free and Accepted Masons.
Played in Cramer Hill
Mr. Bearint began his baseball career in the section of Camden known as Cramer Hill when there was a baseball field in every block. He was a southpaw pitcher and also played in the outfield.
He attracted the attention of Connie Mack and he was sent to one of the farms of the Athletics. His future in the big leagues seemed assured until an accident to his arm destroyed all chance as a moundsman.
When the Camden police baseball team was organized, Mr. Bearint was asked to join it, and he was one of the biggest assets the team had. His powerful hitting attracted the attention of several minor league scouts and he received many tempting offers which were refused as he preferred to end his baseball career on the lots where it had started.
Services Friday
He had played on the old Defiance Team, the Camden East Side A.A. team in the Camden County League, and with the Twelfth Ward and the Riverton teams. He also had played with Chambersburg PA in the Blue Ridge League. He also had played baseball with York PA, and had played basketball with the Defiance team in Camden and with Camden Police.
Surviving are his widow, Marie A.; a son, David E.; a daughter, Miss Anne M.; his father, Edward, of Wildwood; four brothers, Edward J. of Brooklawn, Howard of Ocean View, and Pal M. and Charles of Camden, and six sisters, Mrs. Tina Hopkins, of Gloucester, Mrs. Katherine Glander, of Blackwood; Mrs. Claera Shinn, of Haddon Heights; and Mrs. Margaret Hoffman, Mrs. Lillian Seidelman, and Mrs. Rose Baltake, of Camden.
Services will be held 1:00 PM Friday in the Davies Funeral Chapel, 4522 Westfield Avenue, Pennsauken, where a viewing and Masonic services will be held Thursday night. Burial will be in Locustwood Memorial Park.