A local effort is underway to secure a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker honoring one of Ashland's most accomplished and influential athletes, 19th-century baseball star John "Happy Jack" Stivetts.
The nomination was officially submitted to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) ahead of the agency's June 1 deadline by local historian Adam J. Bernodin III on behalf of Ashland Little League Baseball Inc.
If approved, the blue-and-gold state historical marker would be placed at the entrance of Eureka Park, serving as a tribute to Stivetts' remarkable career and inspiring future generations of local baseball players.
According to Bernodin's research, Stivetts was far more than a hometown standout. The Ashland native became one of the premier two-way players of baseball's early professional era, excelling both as a dominant pitcher and a dangerous hitter long before players like Babe Ruth and modern superstar Shohei Ohtani redefined the role.
To strengthen the nomination, Bernodin assembled support from a broad coalition of organizations and officials, including the Atlanta Braves, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Borough of Ashland, North Schuylkill School District, the Schuylkill League, State Senator David Argall, and State Representative Tim Twardzik.
Throughout his 11-year Major League career, Stivetts compiled 203 victories, maintained a .298 batting average, and hit 35 career home runs, including 21 while serving as a pitcher. His versatility was nearly unmatched, as he played every position on the field except catcher during his baseball career.
One of the strongest arguments in the nomination highlights the parallels between Stivetts and Ohtani. On June 10, 1890, Stivetts struck out 10 batters and hit two home runs, including a walk-off grand slam, in the same game. More than 130 years later, Ohtani became the first player since Stivetts to accomplish a similarly rare combination of pitching dominance and offensive production in a single contest.
Bernodin's research also traces Stivetts' baseball roots throughout Pennsylvania. After beginning his career playing for Ashland in 1887, where he posted a 1.35 ERA, he later starred for the Allentown Peanuts and York Hayseeds before being discovered by future Hall of Famer Charlie Comiskey and signed directly to the Major Leagues in 1889.
Stivetts quickly emerged as a star with the St. Louis Browns, leading the American Association with a 2.25 ERA during his rookie season. In 1891, he paced the league in strikeouts and games pitched while winning 33 games. He later joined the Boston Beaneaters, helping anchor one of baseball's greatest dynasties and contributing to four National League championships.
Among his most notable accomplishments was a no-hitter thrown on Aug. 6, 1892. Because the Beaneaters eventually became today's Atlanta Braves, Stivetts is credited with throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history. In a letter supporting the marker application, Braves officials noted that more than 130 years after his final game, Stivetts still ranks among the franchise's top pitchers.
The nomination also highlights Stivetts' role in sports history beyond his own accomplishments. In 1898, he mentored Mahanoy City native Lizzie Arlington, helping her develop into the first woman to sign a professional minor league baseball contract. Bernodin described Stivetts as a man ahead of his time who chose to mentor Arlington based solely on her talent and dedication to the game.
A key component of the application ties Stivetts' athletic achievements to his upbringing in Ashland's anthracite coal region. Before reaching the Major Leagues, he worked in local collieries, including Merriam and Alaska, where the physically demanding labor helped build the strength and endurance that defined his playing career. His workload remains astonishing by modern standards, as he pitched more than 400 innings in a season three different times.
Despite achieving national fame, Stivetts remained deeply connected to Ashland. After his baseball career ended, he returned home, worked as a mine carpenter, and served as a volunteer with Washington Fire Company No. 1. He spent the remainder of his life in the community where his journey began.
For Bernodin, the effort is about more than baseball statistics.
"This is about giving the Stivetts family the recognition they deserve and inspiring local kids," Bernodin said in the nomination materials. "We are making sure his legacy remains a permanent part of the town he proudly called home."
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will review the nomination alongside applications from across the Commonwealth over the coming months. A decision on whether Stivetts will receive an official state historical marker is expected later this year. If approved, the marker would join other historical recognitions Bernodin has helped secure in Ashland and further cement Stivetts' place in both local and baseball history.