History Pub-Diamonds in the Desert: Bend’s Baseball History Presented by Vanessa Ivey

In 1903, the Bend Bulletin announced the formation of a municipal baseball association and city team. Baseball in Bend has continued for over 100 years, from town teams to farm teams, semi-professionals to collegiate up-and-comers.  

Step back in time with Vanessa Ivey, manager of Deschutes County Historical Society and Museum, as she shares stories of an earlier era, when baseball wasn’t just a favorite pastime, but a way to build commerce in communities. Whether you were a Bend Beauty or a Bend Elk, the swat of a wood bat rang true, and twirling and hurling wasn’t found merely on a country fair ride.  

Vanessa Ivey has been manager of Deschutes Historical Museum for the past 15 years. She nurtured her love of baseball both as a player and a fan growing up in Banks, Oregon. Vanessa has a bachelor’s degree in science from Lewis and Clark College. She spends her summers in the outfield of a local softball team, and in January she plays baseball at the New York Yankees Women’s Fantasy Camp in Tampa, Florida.