Harry Hooper Word Search
Name That Team
Can you think of some good names for a Capitola baseball team?
Can you think of some good names for a Capitola baseball team?
Other Activities
Bringing your children or school class to see the exhibit? Here are some more activities and topics for discussion.
Activities at the Museum:
1. Put together the jigsaw puzzles.
2. Try to find Harry. He is in all the group photos, but not always identified. Can you find him?
3. In what photo is he standing next to Babe Ruth? Harry was 5’10’’. How tall do you think Babe Ruth was?
4. Can you find where “baseball” is spelled as two words? There are many compound words in English that were originally spelled as two separate words or as hyphenated words. Another example is “lighthouse” (spelled light house or light-house in the 1800s). Can you find some other examples? Where would be a good place to look?
Some things to think about after seeing the exhibit:
1. When Harry Hooper left Capitola to play baseball in Boston, what form of transportation would he have used? How long did it take him to cross the country? (Some answers below)
2. Harry Hooper lived from 1887 to 1974. What technological advancements occurred during his lifetime? Clue: some were invented during his lifetime; others were invented earlier, but did not come into widespread use until he was an adult. (some answers below)
3. What historical events had a major impact on his life? (some answers below)
4. How did Harry Hooper stay involved with baseball?
Harry Hooper said in an interview that one of the problems of earning a living playing baseball is that your career is over just about the time most people get good at their profession. He retired from the big leagues at age 38. (some answers below)
5. Author Paul Zingg’s biography is titled Harry Hooper: An American Baseball Life. Why do you think that title was chosen? (see below)
6. What are some ways that people pursue baseball as a hobby? This is an opportunity to invite students to bring items to share such as souvenirs from games they have attended. (some answers below)
7. Take the online trivia quiz (on this website).
Answers
1. Harry traveled by train, departing from the depot in Capitola that was only a block from his house. It took several days to cross the country back then. When he was postmaster, mail from outside the area was also delivered by train.
2. When Harry Hooper grew up, transportation was by horse and wagon or railroad. He rode his own horse to school each day. Homes were mostly lighted with kerosene lamps. He witnessed the invention of the airplane, radio, television, and rockets that could go into outer space. Automobiles, the electric light, motion pictures, and the phonograph, while invented earlier, did not come into widespread use until Harry was an adult.
3. In his induction speech, Harry thanked his parents for sending him to college: “If they hadn’t sent me to Saint Mary’s College, I’d have turned out to be a dry farmer over in the San Joaquin Valley and nobody would have heard of me.”
Harry was also affected by the Great Depression. Although he did not own many stocks, he had invested his savings in real estate and was hurt by falling property values.
The election of Roosevelt for president certainly changed his life. It made possible the appointment of Harry (a Democrat) to the job of postmaster.
Harry had to register for the draft during World War I, but was not drafted, probably because he was married and had two children. Both his sons served in World War II, a scary thing for any parent, but both returned unscathed.
4.
• He played part time for regional teams up until age 45.
• He took jobs as a manager and player for local teams.
• He also coached a year for Princeton University.
• He played in “old-timers” games.
• He gave lectures and interviews and used baseball to promote his real estate business.
• He guided his sons in baseball through grade school and college (son John played in the minor leagues).
• He supported the local little league team.
• Made special appearances at major league games in San Francisco and Boston.
• Attended Bay Area and local games.
• Watched baseball on TV and listened to games on the radio.
5. The publisher probably selected this title because baseball was so much a part of Harry’s life starting in childhood. Harry also gave a lot back to baseball as an example of someone who was an outstanding player, well educated, level-headed, and humble. Through speeches to civic groups, public appearances, interviews, and encouragement of younger players, he served as a lifelong ambassador for the sport.
6.
• Collect baseball items such cards, photos, signed balls, clothing, and magazines
• Play baseball or softball or similar sports
• Watch on TV or go to games
• Read about baseball and baseball players (fiction and nonfiction)
• Watch movies and documentaries about baseball
Bringing your children or school class to see the exhibit? Here are some more activities and topics for discussion.
Activities at the Museum:
1. Put together the jigsaw puzzles.
2. Try to find Harry. He is in all the group photos, but not always identified. Can you find him?
3. In what photo is he standing next to Babe Ruth? Harry was 5’10’’. How tall do you think Babe Ruth was?
4. Can you find where “baseball” is spelled as two words? There are many compound words in English that were originally spelled as two separate words or as hyphenated words. Another example is “lighthouse” (spelled light house or light-house in the 1800s). Can you find some other examples? Where would be a good place to look?
Some things to think about after seeing the exhibit:
1. When Harry Hooper left Capitola to play baseball in Boston, what form of transportation would he have used? How long did it take him to cross the country? (Some answers below)
2. Harry Hooper lived from 1887 to 1974. What technological advancements occurred during his lifetime? Clue: some were invented during his lifetime; others were invented earlier, but did not come into widespread use until he was an adult. (some answers below)
3. What historical events had a major impact on his life? (some answers below)
4. How did Harry Hooper stay involved with baseball?
Harry Hooper said in an interview that one of the problems of earning a living playing baseball is that your career is over just about the time most people get good at their profession. He retired from the big leagues at age 38. (some answers below)
5. Author Paul Zingg’s biography is titled Harry Hooper: An American Baseball Life. Why do you think that title was chosen? (see below)
6. What are some ways that people pursue baseball as a hobby? This is an opportunity to invite students to bring items to share such as souvenirs from games they have attended. (some answers below)
7. Take the online trivia quiz (on this website).
Answers
1. Harry traveled by train, departing from the depot in Capitola that was only a block from his house. It took several days to cross the country back then. When he was postmaster, mail from outside the area was also delivered by train.
2. When Harry Hooper grew up, transportation was by horse and wagon or railroad. He rode his own horse to school each day. Homes were mostly lighted with kerosene lamps. He witnessed the invention of the airplane, radio, television, and rockets that could go into outer space. Automobiles, the electric light, motion pictures, and the phonograph, while invented earlier, did not come into widespread use until Harry was an adult.
3. In his induction speech, Harry thanked his parents for sending him to college: “If they hadn’t sent me to Saint Mary’s College, I’d have turned out to be a dry farmer over in the San Joaquin Valley and nobody would have heard of me.”
Harry was also affected by the Great Depression. Although he did not own many stocks, he had invested his savings in real estate and was hurt by falling property values.
The election of Roosevelt for president certainly changed his life. It made possible the appointment of Harry (a Democrat) to the job of postmaster.
Harry had to register for the draft during World War I, but was not drafted, probably because he was married and had two children. Both his sons served in World War II, a scary thing for any parent, but both returned unscathed.
4.
• He played part time for regional teams up until age 45.
• He took jobs as a manager and player for local teams.
• He also coached a year for Princeton University.
• He played in “old-timers” games.
• He gave lectures and interviews and used baseball to promote his real estate business.
• He guided his sons in baseball through grade school and college (son John played in the minor leagues).
• He supported the local little league team.
• Made special appearances at major league games in San Francisco and Boston.
• Attended Bay Area and local games.
• Watched baseball on TV and listened to games on the radio.
5. The publisher probably selected this title because baseball was so much a part of Harry’s life starting in childhood. Harry also gave a lot back to baseball as an example of someone who was an outstanding player, well educated, level-headed, and humble. Through speeches to civic groups, public appearances, interviews, and encouragement of younger players, he served as a lifelong ambassador for the sport.
6.
• Collect baseball items such cards, photos, signed balls, clothing, and magazines
• Play baseball or softball or similar sports
• Watch on TV or go to games
• Read about baseball and baseball players (fiction and nonfiction)
• Watch movies and documentaries about baseball
© 2014 Capitola Historical Museum