Memories of his dad hitting grounders and pop-ups for him to field and catch at Glenn Park in Yonkers have stuck with Dr George Dutchick throughout the years — fond recollections of his childhood, an experience shared by many. The first baseball glove will always be special, and those who visit C.H. Booth Library may get a bit nostalgic, if not a little perspective of the game dating back more than a century, when they see the lower level display case.

Dutchick, a retired dentist residing in Newtown, lent his impressive collection of gloves — some of which go back to the early 1900s — to the library where they will continue to be on display throughout the month of September.

“It’s nice — everybody can enjoy it,” Dutchick, 78, said of having his baseball treasures on display.

Also part of the collection is a Wilson catcher’s mask (circa 1970), some balls, and a couple of bats, one signed by Ted Williams and the other featuring several signatures of Brooklyn Dodgers greats, such as Sandy Koufax and Pee Wee Reese.

“That was my team,” said Dutchick, a big Dodgers fanatic during his childhood before the team moved to Los Angeles, who caught up with former Dodger greats at various card shows throughout the years. “When they left I was kind of broken-hearted.” He has since become a New York baseball fan, rooting for the Mets and Yankees. He attended the 2000 Subway Series between the Yanks and Mets and gets to games at both remaining Big Apple stadiums from time to time.

The baseball mitts in the collection include some vintage pieces dating back to when they were basically over-sized mittens and players needed to make catches using two hands to avoid dropping the ball. There are also some three-fingered varieties from the 1940s, as well as older versions of what players basically use today, including a Reggie Jackson model Rawlings. Dutchick picked up many of the gloves at Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford.

There are also a few of Dutchick’s books in the display case, including Baseball: An Illustrated History.

“I have always had a love for the game,” said Dutchick, who was a competitive ball player, including in high school and at the collegiate level at University of Bridgeport on a scholarship. These days, Dutchick also enjoys checking out area games, including at Newtown High School.

Next to the display case is a sign-in book where visitors have a chance to share a bit about their appreciation for the game of baseball and Dutchick’s display.

An avid boater as well, Dutchick used to sail frequently. He even sailed across the Long Island Sound to a Mets game once. In his retirement, Dutchick has taken on water color painting and combined his appreciation for the water with his artistic touch. A member of SCAN (Society For Creative Arts Newtown), Dutchick has some of his artwork on display and for sale at the library. One of the pieces, “Pitch Poling,” depicts his boat going over a wave, flipping end-over-end, with the bow going under the water first, followed by the stern. Another water color is of The Still River in Brookfield. There is also one of a sunset and another of the Port Jefferson Ferry.

Next time you stop by the library be sure to go back in time with America’s pastime at this display, and check out the artwork across the hallway.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.