White Sea League

The crews of the "Forgotten Convoy" spent nine months in Molotovsk, and nearly a year in total away from the United States, stranded by storms and German war ships blocking their passage during World War II. Stuck in the Arctic and with nearly 24 hours of daylight at their disposal, the Navy seamen turned to baseball to pass the time. The White Sea League was formed, comprised of four teams - one for each ship. The local Russian citizens leveled off a field for the sailors to play on. The baseball began with a rubber plug from one of the ship's engine rooms, which was then wound with string and covered with leather from Navy boots.