Left to right: Nuptial announcement of Di Carlo; Baseball schedule (circa 1930s); Baseball scorecard

From the Archives:

Rooting for the Home Team

Ava Mari Doogue, CSJ Archivist

On Monday, May 10, 1937, the Gate of Heaven High School baseball team was set to play against Mission High School at Lee Park in South Boston at 3 P.M. The outcome of the game remains a mystery, but the baseball schedule and scorecard offer a glimpse into an important aspect of the high school and parish community experience: rooting for the home team.

Before the Gate of Heaven “Gatey” CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) program took shape, Frank DiCarlo, a well-known South Boston resident and layperson, coached the parish baseball team (as noted in the nuptial announcement from the mid 1930s). His name appears in requests to Sister Bertrand, the superior of Gate of Heaven Convent and School, asking for permission to release students early for games. While the exact circumstances of how DiCarlo acquired this position remain unclear, a likely reason is that he volunteered his services, given his prominence in the South Boston community and possible membership in Gate of Heaven Church.

It is difficult to determine just how successful the Gate of Heaven High School baseball team was or how often they won their games, however, these artifacts capture the essence of baseball at Gate of Heaven — and the humanity embedded within, scrawled revisions, hastily written signatures and all. These artifacts tell us something we already know: almost a century has passed, but the joy for the game remains the same.
Reflecting on these artifacts and sports memorabilia, many Bostonians look forward to Fenway Park opening day, the NBA Finals and the Boston Marathon. As these memories and artifacts from Gate of Heaven Church, Parish and High School are on display, think back to your first sporting event: What sport was it? Where was the game played? Lastly, how did it bring you closer to your community and neighbor?

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