When reader Ed sent me an email with a subject line “What does APBA stand for”, I expected a diatribe on the APBA Game Company’s standing in the tabletop sports community.
No, that wasn’t the case..
“I have acquired some APBA football cards, what does APBA stand for?? Thanks for the assist.”
…he simply wanted to know what the word APBA stands for.
It’s a question that gets asked by readers on occasion especially those new to the game. The official word from the Company is that it doesn’t stand for anything and word stands on its own.
This shot of an APBA 1964 brochure reveals that there may have been something behind the name. Something “of a sentimental, personal nature that would require lengthy explanation”. Of course, this was back in 1932 so whatever it was probably went to the grave with APBA founder Dick Seitz.
And of course, NEVER call it Ay, Pee, Bee, Ay!
Thanks for the good question, Ed.
Seitz as a boy was a fan of Clifford Van Beek’s tabletop game, National Pastime, and he and some friends formed a league called the American Professional Baseball Association. That’s the sentimental connection.
Beignet, that has always been what I have told others the APBA stands for. I guess I am guilty of spreading an untruth. As it clearly doesn’t stand for anything. Other than AWESOME of course.
Beignet and Frank,
I had thought that was what the unofficial reason though I’m not sure what the lengthy explanation is. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
Awesome works too :)
thanks!
Tom
Is it possible he didn’t want people digging too deeply into it, knowing what we now know about the similarities between Seitz’s game and National Pastime?
I’m with Jason on this one. Seitz’s APBA was
VERY similar to the National Pastime he played as a kid. It seems likely that Seitz,even as a kid, called his game something. “American Professional Baseball Association” probably struck him as a good idea. Years later, registering “APBA” as his new product’s name he was able to distance himself from the National Pastime. As to the official line that “‘APBA’ doesn’t mean anything”… well, Seitz was being both coy and legally prudent.
In any case, we all owe him a great debt of gratitude.
APBA doesn’t stand for anything in the same way that CBS doesn’t stand for anything. It is literally true while being misleading.
APBA obviously stands for American Professional Baseball Association, the name of Seitz’ league using National Pastime.
Cbs stands for Columbia broadcasting system