Eight Inducted into Rockville Baseball Hall of Fame

On a dank April 5 morning at Povich Field, smiles broke out as plaques were handed out by Big Train Historian Bill Hickman in commemoration of the induction of eight new members of the Rockville Baseball Hall of Fame.

Walter Awkard received two plaques, one on behalf of his father, Russell Awkard, a major league veteran of the Negro Leagues and the other on behalf of Robert “Mike” Snowden, the mentor of many Rockville Afro-American stars like Pint Isreal. Keith Gordon, son of Big Train board member Billy Gordon, was bestowed a plaque for a baseball career that ran the gamut from RBBA stardom to a debut in the major leagues. Clarence Hickey, playing Dr. Edward Stonestreet, accepted a plaque on behalf of Bill Lamar, a nine-year major league outfielder with a batting average of .310.  Lamar’s uncle was Dr. Stonestreet’s son-in-law. Chuck Miller received a plaque for his 34 years of dedication as Sports Director for the City of Rockville, in which he gave all the support he could to RBBA. Farron Riggs’ plaque was given in honor of his accomplishments as head coach at Rockville High School, which included being named Maryland Coach of the Year in 2018. Ricky Summerour earned a plaque by building a legendary status while playing in RBBA leagues and having many saying he was the greatest RBBA player ever.  Donald Davis founder of the Lincoln Park Athletic Hall of Fame, received the plaque on behalf of Bill Williams, a talented and versatile field general of the Rockville Legionnaires of the 1940’s.

Also present at the ceremony were several elected officials. Sidney Katz represented the Montgomery County Council. Barry Jackson and Marissa Valeri represented the Rockville City Council.

From left to right: Rockville Councilman Barry Jackson; Rockville Councilwoman Marissa Valeri; Inductee Farron Riggs, Baseball Coach & Acting Athletic Director, Rockville High School; 19th Century Dr. Edward Stonestreet, played by Clarence Hickey, & recipient of plaque for Bill Lamar Inductee Ricky Summerour, former All-American football player and greatest RBBA player; Bill Hickman, Big Train Historian & co-founder, Rockville Baseball Hall of Fame; Donald Davis, Founder, Lincoln Park Athletic HOF & recipient of plaque for Bill Williams; Walter Awkard, recipient of plaques for his father, Russell Awkard, & his great uncle, "Mike" Snowden; Inductee Chuck Miller, former Sports Director for the City of Rockville; Inductee Keith Gordon, former major league ballplayer; and Montgomery County Councilman Sidney Katz.