America’s pastime on display in downtown Little Norway coffee shop.

POULSBO — Above a framed black and white photo of Pee Wee Reese and Dizzy Dean pokes the welcoming grin of Checkers Espresso owner Jim Wise. The infamous sportscasters are posed with radio mic in hand; Wise is stirring up coffee and conversation with his customers per norm.

On the walls of his shop in downtown Poulsbo the history of baseball has come to life. From top to bottom they’re decked: magazine covers, large chalk score boards, photographs and newspaper clippings.

Dizzy announcing “he slud into third!” can nearly be heard from the sight.

It’s a celebration of World Series month that’s taken a turn from the shop’s usual displays; Checkers regularly showcases the works of local artists. But when regular customer Wally Heffner made the suggestion to Wise to turn the walls into a museum-like tribute to America’s pastime, Wise took him up on the offer. Now, Heffner’s collection is up for all too see, including baseballs signed by Yogi Berra and Johnny Podres, LIFE covers featuring the familiar mugs of Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella, and tributes to local teams and players, from Suquamish and Seattle clubs to the Viking City’s own Aaron Sele.

“I think it’s the fullest it’s ever been,” said Wise, describing Heffner as a morning regular — “he’s just a black coffee, dark roast guy” he recalled of his order.

Like many coffee shops, Wise has used his walls as pallets for area artists for years, lending the shop a new and different look every month.

“It began to catch on and now we’re booked through 2010,” he said.

Wise knows a thing or two about art himself: He started the art program at Bainbridge Island High School in 1968.

Leo Williamson, another Checkers frequenter and friend of Heffner’s, said the collector has built an incredible cumulation and continues to add to it.

“He’s one of those continual savers,” he said.

Williamson helped Heffner hang the Checkers display. When asked if he himself is a baseball fan, he quickly responds with a smile and shake of the head, “No, but this is fascinating.”

Tales of underdogs, Joltin’ Joe and baseball players turned government war spies are posted, as is an Oct. 14, 1926 cover featuring Babe Ruth, “the mightiest home run hitter of all time.” Another account begins: “On Nov. 8, 1905, a cold and stormy day in Portland, Ore., two Pacific Coast League teams decided to go ahead and play a game that should have been rained out… .”

Bats, gloves and Saturday Evening Posts are hung. A black and white panoramic photo of thousands of fedora-wearing fans waiting to hear scores details a much different time in media, when the scrawl across slate was the closest link many had to seeing the action of a game. Heffner’s collection has brought the world of sports into the refined universe of art and coffee, and from the looks of lingering customers, it’s a grand slam.

“He’s got so much to see,” Williamson said, “and I think this is probably the half of it.”