George Bonekemper fulfilled a promise by completing a second volume on the history of baseball in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. However, Bonekemper needed 10 additional years to keep his word.

                On Sunday, he introduced the book, "A Baseball History of the Upper Perkiomen Valley 1954-2014." Addressing an audience at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, Pennsburg, Bonekemper discussed the book's contents and the writing process.

                Wearing a grey jersey from the Lehigh Valley Black Diamonds, Bonekemper, a mainstay in youth and amateur adult baseball in the valley since 1970, spoke for 80 minutes. He told several stories, recalling memorable games, rivalries and the tragedy of two players dying from a lightning strike during a game on Aug. 12, 1947.

                Bonekemper described Jean Faut, who played with the South Bend Blue Sox in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1940s, as the valley's best player.

                He recalled the year he served as the official scorer for the Black Diamonds, a team in the independent Atlantic League that played its home games at Quakertown Memorial Park Stadium.

                During the 2000 season, Bonekemper earned $50 per game, He said the players constantly complained about his scoring decisions.  "Everyone was trying to get to the Major Leagues, so they wanted good stats," he told the audience.

                According to Bonekemper, the book follows the format set on the first volume written by Dallas Graber, a former English teacher in the Perkiomen Valley School District, that documents the history of baseball in the valley from 1885-1953.  "The first book is written so much better," said Bonekemper, who seriously worked on the book for five months. "I don't write near as well as Dallas."

                The two worked together on the first book. Bonekemper says he committed to Graber, prior to his death, that he would complete the second version through 2004.  "I was a little late on that," Bonekemper said standing behind a lectern.

                The second volume focuses on the history of the Tri-County League, which included the East Greenville, Green Lane and Upper Perk franchises between 1953 and 2006.

                Between 1979 and 1983, the Upper Perk Chiefs won three championships and finished second twice.

                Extensive statistics and records of the league are included. Bonekemper told the audience he is one of 36 players to never get a hit for the Chiefs.

                Inducted in the league's Hall of Fame in 1991, Bonekemper revived the Green Lane franchise in 1970, then helped start the Chiefs in 1974.

                The second half of the book includes sections on the Upper Perkiomen High School and Perkiomen American Legion baseball teams, as well as the Quakertown Blazers, Upper Perkiomen girls softball and Eagle AA softball.

                A list of local players who have played in the minor leagues and the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, a summer wooden bat league for college players which includes the Blazers, a team Bonekemper helped to found in 1984, is also included.

                A former superintendent in the Upper Perkiomen School District, Bonekemper cited three reasons for completing the book. 

                "First, I still think baseball is the national past time," he said. "The game has more gentleman athletes than most others. And lastly, the game is important to the fabric of the valley. It keeps families together."

                One hundred books have been published and will be sold for $10. According to Bonekemper, all the proceeds will go to the center, which houses local baseball artifacts.