[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23412-23413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. CREIGHTON J. HALE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM OSBORNE

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Creighton J. Hale 
who made many important contributions to sports safety in baseball and 
softball, as well as improving the safety of law enforcement and 
military personnel. Dr. Hale was born in 1924 in Hardy, Nebraska. He 
grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Hardy Public Schools in 1942. He 
then continued on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for 
one year, and then Doane College in the V-12 officers training program 
for the United States Navy.
  Following active duty during World War II, he earned his bachelor's 
degree from Colgate University at Hamilton, New York in 1948, his 
master's from Springfield College in 1949, and his doctorate from New 
York University in 1951.
  Dr. Creighton J. Hale, as an exercise physiologist, first conducted a 
scientific study of professional baseball players while an associate 
professor at Springfield College from 1951-1955. Dr. Hale developed an 
electronic testing device to measure the reaction times of major league 
baseball players. Along with this research, Dr. Hale found that 
children had less time to react to a pitch than major league players. 
With the conclusion of his findings, the Little League pitching mound 
was moved back from 44 feet to 46 feet, thus resulting in fewer batters 
being injured.
  One of the next inventions that Dr. Hale worked on was the double-
earflap batter's helmet, now made of a variety of lightweight plastics. 
The original helmet was made of fiberglass and could not withstand the 
impact of a pitched ball. In addition, the design did not protect the 
temple area. Little League made use of the new helmets mandatory in 
1961. Dr. Hale was also an integral part of developing the aluminum bat 
and the one-piece catcher's mask attached to a helmet.
  Outside of sports, Dr. Hale assisted in the development of the 
infantry pack in 1954 for use by the United States Army. In 1976, he 
became chairman of a group of scientist with the National Research 
Council of the National Academy of Sciences. During this time, his 
research aided the development of a lightweight bullet-resistant vest 
used by the military and law enforcement personnel. In addition, Dr. 
Hale co-designed a one-piece helmet made of Kevlar that offered more 
protection than the Army's previous steel helmet. All United States 
military personnel now use this type of helmet.

[[Page 23413]]

  Dr. Hale also made invaluable contributions as president for Little 
League Baseball from 1973-1994. As well as serving as president, he 
served as Chief Executive Officer of the Board from 1983-1996. Under 
his leadership, the number of leagues enrolled increased from 10,006 to 
21,711 and the number of participants increased from 370,000 to 
3,123,205. At the turn of the 21st century, Little League Baseball and 
Softball had become the world's largest youth sports program, serving 
boys and girls ages 5 to 18.
  Dr. Creighton J. Hale has made many valuable contributions to Little 
League Baseball and Softball in the way of innovations and moral 
support. He understood the mission set by founder Carl E. Stotz that 
Little League was about the development of good citizens rather than 
good athletes through ``coaches teaching kids respect and discipline 
and sportsmanship and the desire to excel.'' I commend Dr. Hale for all 
that he has done to improve the lives of young people, servicemen and 
women, and law enforcement personnel.

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