Origins of the Bellefonte Little League

Bellefonte Plans Organization of Baseball Loop for 9-12 Age Group. (1949, January 17). Centre Daily Times, p6.

Bellefonte Plans Organization of Baseball Loop for 9-12 Age Group

Plans are underway in Bellefonte for the organization of a midget baseball league under national auspices, it was announced today by Dan Grove of Bellefonte.

A meeting is scheduled for the Bellefonte American Legion home Monday, Jan. 24, at 8:15 p.m.

Carl Stotz of Williamsport, organizer of the National Midget baseball setup which started in that community, will be present at the meeting.

Mr. Stotz, who was recently given an award for his outstanding service to the community of Williamsport, will describe the league action and show how such a circuit can be organized in Bellefonte.

Grove said today that it is hoped that a league can be organized with at least four teams, sponsored by organizations in the town.

It was pointed out that sponsoring organizations in Williamsport spend about $200 a year on their teams.

Age requirements for the midget league are nine to 12, a step under the junior baseball league which is flourishing in Bellefonte as well a s the rest of the county.

An invitation to attend the meeting was extended today to all organizations and individuals interested in helping or sponsoring midget league teams.

Mr. Stotz will show movies depicting midget league information as well as  the national playoffs which was won by a Lock Haven team.  The program, while still in the growing stage, has caught on rapidly in the East and is extending into the Midwest and South.

Several County communities already have supervised teams of boys in the midget age group which play independent schedules.  These include State College, Port Matilda and Pleasant Gap.

Midget Meeting At Bellefonte. (1949, January 22). Centre Daily Times, p6

Midget Meeting At Bellefonte

Bellefonte baseball enthusiasts were reminded today of the Midget league meeting scheduled for the Bellefonte American Legion home Monday at 8:15 p.m.

Carl Stotz, Williamsport, one of the leading organizers of the midget baseball program on a national scale will speak at the meeting.

Dan Grove, Bellefonte sportsman who is connected with the program to form a league for boys from 9 to 12 years of age in the County Seat, pointed out today that anyone interested in sponsoring a team or anyone interested in coaching or managing a team should attend Monday’s meeting.

Mr. Stotz, who recently received an award for outstanding civic and welfare work in Williamsport, is expected to show movies of the midget league setup at Monday’s meeting.

Stotz Explains Midget League At Bellefonte. (1949, January 25). Centre Daily Times, p6

Stotz Explains Midget League At Bellefonte

Centre County youngsters will get a chance to play organized amateur baseball next summer if tentative  plans formulated at the meeting in Bellefonte last night go through.

Nearly 50 interested persons attended a meeting at the Bellefonte American Legion home last night and heard Carl Stotz of Williamsport describe the midget league which is in operation in Williamsport.

Mr. Stotz, originator of organized baseball for boys from 9 to 12 years of age, explained the national set-up which is incorporating baseball for younger boys, and introduced officers of the Williamsport League.

M. Stotz also showed movies of the league, taking up most of the time at the meeting with films and commentary.

No definite plans were made by the group last night, but Dan Grove of Bellefonte, chairman of the committee announced that another meeting will be held Monday night at the Legion home.

Later information about the next meeting will be announced later this week.

Organizational Meeting Slated for ‘Little’ Loop. (1949, January 28). Centre Daily Times, p8

Organizational Meeting Slated for ‘Little’ Loop

An organizational meeting for the establishment of a “Little” baseball league in Bellefonte will be held at the American Legion home at 7:30 p.m.  Monday, according to an announcement made by Dan Grove, temporary chairman of the committee.

Nearly 50 persons attended the initial meeting of this group last Monday night and heard Carl Stotz, of Williamsport, the founder of midget baseball leagues, explain some of the functions of a league.

The age limit for players is to be from 9 to 12 years to equalize competition.  There are bylaws for each league much like major league baseball.

In addition to being a boon for sports minded youngsters there are also a number of jobs for grownups.  Interest will not be restricted to youngsters either.

Each team is to have a roster limited to 16 players and a maximum of 5 players of 12 years of age.  Team managers will get a chance to exchange players through the office of the player-agent.

Theoretically each player will be worth 2000 points making the entire club worth 32,000 points.  Thus the manager can swap players on a point basis where the major leagues use money.  All trades must be approved by the player-agent and the player involved.

At the next meeting officers will be elected and, it is hoped, there will be some indication of how many teams will be sponsored.

For the most efficient league operation the number of teams competing should be limited to four, in Mr. Grove’s opinion.  He added that that should be the right number for the boro of Bellefonte but welcomes other teams or even another league.  An end of season playoff in this class of baseball promises to be interesting.

Serving with Grove in making preliminary plans are Ollie Kohlbrecker, Lee Davies and John Drogan.  Glenn Aumiller is serving as secretary until permanent officers are elected Monday night.

Little League’ Meeting Slate. (1949, January 31). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League’ Meeting Slated

An organization meeting of the Bellefonte “Little League” for the coming season is scheduled at the American Legion home today at 8:15 p.m.

Dan Grove, chairman of the committee, urged that all persons interested in sponsoring teams or helping the league in any way attend tonight’s meeting.

The league, which will be organized as part of the nation-wide setup, if enough support is found in the County seat, will be for boys from 9 to 12 years of age.

Little League Progress Decreases in Bellefonte. (1949, February 1). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League Progress Decreases in Bellefonte

Loop Organization Postponed for Lack of Representation

Plans for organizing “Little League” baseball in the Bellefonte area temporarily bogged down at the organization meeting held last night at the Bellefonte American Legion.

Sixteen persons attended the meeting but no definite plans were made.  The group felt that it was unfair to make plans when not every locality was represented.

Considerable discussion on the number of teams that could be included efficiently in one league was brought forth with the opinion that a four or six-team league would be most satisfactory.

The committee that served previously will meet tomorrow night to form definite plans for the league and will present these plans to league representatives at a meeting to be held at the Bellefonte American Legion at 7:30 p.m. next Monday.

At last night’s meeting  possible playing sites were also discussed.  The same organizational committee was asked to investigate that phase of the proposed league.

The committee is composed of Dan Grove, chairman, Glen Aumiller, secretary, John Drogan, Ollie Kohlbecker, Lee Davies, and Forest Benford.

Among those present at last night’s meeting were representatives of the Elks Club, the Moose, the American Legion, the Bellefonte Recreation Council and Warner Company.

The intention of the group is to organize baseball for youngsters of 9 to 12 years of age.  These boys would have a league of their own with a field of their own.

It was pointed out that this activity would not only develop young athletes through teaching but it would also would improve the brand of ball being played in Centre County.

Acquiring sponsors for the various teams and getting grownups who are willing to devote a little time to teach and oversee the boys both in practice and games is one of the major problems.

A half dozen possible playing sites were mentioned at last night’s session.  Among them were a field on N. Allegheny street, Blanchard street, the Athletic field, S. Potter street, the High School Commons.  The group also considered the possibility of moving the games out of town but hoped this would not have to be done.

It was the opinion that enough personnel could be obtained for four league teams in Bellefonte Borough.  Other communities including Milesburg, Pleasant Gap, Unionville, Julian and Centre Hall have shown interest in forming a team for league play.

Lyon, T (1949, February 3). Lack of Baseball Interest Slows Programs’ Early Start. Centre Daily Times, p12.

Rambling Thru:

Lack of Baseball Interest Slows Programs’ Early Start

By Tom Lyon

Sandwiched between results of basketball and wrestling, Centre County’s chief pastimes these days, has emerged a drivel of news concerning America’s national pastime.

While the ideas are good, there has been little action so far.  People seem to be just too busy to worry about baseball in February.

Being the worrying type about things of this nature, we can’t help but feel that Countians should pay more attention to baseball now.

We know that the diamond season will get underway on schedule next spring.  And we know that there will be a frantic, last-minute rush to get everything straightened out by the time the season opens. 

And probably, there will be a lot of things left undone - because people are too busy.  The County’s baseball, which admittedly is not as extensive as it could be, will suffer.

There have been several meetings already, and the officers of some of the leagues are to be congratulated for getting the ball rolling.  If this could be done with the respective teams, baseball would be helped immensely in the county.

There are drives in both Bellefonte and State College to install a “Little League”.  This is a fine idea - helping the kids from 9 to 12 to get into the swing of things, preparing them for the junior league and paving the way to better senior-league ball.

Unfortunately, these attempts seem to be dying.  The kids are more than willing.  It would not surprise us, however, to see the “Little League” in either or both communities.

There doesn’t seem to be that old cooperative spirit now that softball has made its mark in the County.

At the County league meeting Tuesday night, nine of the 16 teams were represented.  That’s a good way to start off the year.  You can’t do business that way.

Moore meetings are coming up.  It’s true that they are not the most interesting or well-run confabs in the world, but they can get things done.

That is, if someone goes to them.

Bellefonte Committee Approves ‘Little Loop’. (1949, February 4). Centre Daily Times, p8. 

Bellefonte Committee Approves ‘Little Loop’

Definite plans for organization for a “Little Baseball League” in Bellefonte this summer have been formulated and will be presented to interested persons at a meeting to be held at the American Legion home at Bellefonte Monday night, according to an announcement made today by Dan Grove, temporary chairman of the organizing committee.

Grove said that a “successful” meeting of his committee was held Wednesday night with many agreements reached.  This group has investigated various possible playing fields and has decided to develop a field offered by Warner Company.  The group plans to make a permanent baseball field.  The is located on Fifth avenue in Bellefonte on the north end of Allegheny street.

Present plans call for a four-team league with three teams from Bellefonte and one from Milesburg.  All games will be played on the Bellefonte field.

The meeting Monday night was called to permit other persons to view and pass judgment on these plans.  The league business, including election of officers, will start at 7:30 p.m.

“Little” baseball is designed for boys from 9 to 12 years of age and is necessary to have a field with slightly smaller dimensions than a standard diamond.

There have been offers from enough sponsors to support all the teams but an opening might be made for another interested backer or co-backer.

Webster Named To Head ‘Little’ Loop. (1949, February 8). Centre Daily Times, p6

Webster Named To Head ‘Little’ Loop

“Little League” baseball last night took another positive step toward becoming a reality for Bellefonte and vicinity this summer at a business meeting of persons interested in promoting baseball for boys from 9 to 12.

In a 90-minute session at the Bellefonte Legion, representatives elected officers and laid more definite plans to cultivate the sport in the Bellefonte area.

Frank Webster was named president, with Dan Grove and Hen Casper as first and second vice-presidents.  Glenn Aumiller was elected secretary-treasurer and John Drogan his assistant.

The group postponed actual selection of a playing field, but a committee was appointed by Webster to investigate all possible playing sites.  Another function of this committee will be to seek sponsorship for teams.  Several persons have already indicated their desire to back a team.  

Since a smaller than regulation size diamond is needed for midget baseball, it will be necessary to raise funds to supply a field, it was pointed out at the meeting.

Members of the field and sponsorship committee will meet at the Undine Fire House Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.  Interested sponsors are invited to attend the meeting.  Committee members include Jim Decker, chairman, Caspar, C .A. Torsell, Ollie Kohlbecker, Mac Wetzler Sr., Tom Spritzer and Cloyd Price.

Representatives at last night’s meeting definitely decided that the league should be composed of the three teams from Bellefonte and one from Milesburg.

The next meeting of the league will be at the Undine Fire House at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Little League Baseballers To Meet Tomorrow. (1949, February 15). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League’ Baseballers to Meet Tomorrow

Reports from the field and sponsorship committee are on the agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting of the “Little League” in Bellefonte. Frank Webster announced yesterday that a meeting will be held tomorrow at the Undine firehouse at 7:30 p.m.

The committee met last Wednesday night to discuss plans for sponsorship of the teams.  James Decker, chairman of this committee, will make a complete report of the findings tomorrow night.

Thus far, the group has decided the league will be composed of three teams from Bellefonte and one from Milesburg, with all games to be played in Bellefonte Borough.  

Webster urged all interested persons to attend tomorrow night’s session.

He added progress is being made but that help in developing further plans is welcomed.

When the league goes into operation it will provide boys from 9 to 12 with training in the sport, plus a full league schedule on a regular scaled playing field.

'Little League’ To Meet In Bellefonte. (1949, February 16). Centre Daily Times, p6

'Little League’ To Meet in Bellefonte

Interested persons are invited to attend the meeting of the “Little League” at the Bellefonte American Legion today at 7:30 p.m., President Frank Webster reminded.

The league which is making plans for operation in Bellefonte with three teams from the County Seat and one from Milesburg, will hear reports from committees and receive suggestions at tonight’s meeting, Webster said.

‘Little League’ Plans Slow For Want of Baseball Field. (1949, February 17). Centre Daily Times, p14. 

‘Little League’ Plans Slow for Want of a Baseball Field

The proposed “Little League” in baseball needs a playing field.  That is the problem that is now blocking progress in promoting organized baseball for boys 9 to 12 in Bellefonte, it was pointed out at a meeting last night.

Meeting at the Undine fire house, the field and sponsorship committee reported that a sufficient number of backers have been contacted, but no definite answer was presented on the site for a playing field.

A.  Kohlbecker, committee member, contacted the Warner Company regarding the purchase of a field on North Allegheny street in Bellefonte, but no decision was reached, chiefly because of the lack of funds for such a purpose.

A group of organizations will meet in Bellefonte next week in an attempt to solve this phase of the problem, it was reported at the meeting.

A total of five team backers have indicated their desire to outfit a team.  No fees will be accepted from these sponsors until a playing site is obtained, it was agreed.

League President Frank Webster appointed  Pat Torsell as a new member of the field and sponsorship committee.  Torsell represents the Bellefonte American Legion.

Kohlbecker will contact organizations next week in an attempt to raise the necessary funds for the purchase and conditioning of a playing field.  

Webster announced that the next meeting of the league will be held as soon as progress is made on securing funds for a field.

'Little League’ Meeting Slated. (1949, March 23). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League’ Meeting Slated

The Bellefonte ‘Little League” meets today at the VFW home on Spring street at 7:30 p.m., Frank Webster, league president, reminded.

This is the first meeting in some time for the proposed baseball league for boys 9 to 12…that several new developments have taken place.  A special invitation is extended to the fathers of boys who can play.

‘Little’ Loop To Iron Out Problem. (1949, April 5). Centre Daily Times, p8

‘Little’ Loop to Iron Out Problem

A meeting to iron out minor problems facing the Bellefonte “little league” is scheduled for the VFW home in Bellefonte at 8 p.m. tomorrow, it was announced today by John Drogan, assistant secretary of the league.

A report will be heard from the field committee.  The loop had experienced some difficulty in securing a playing site, but negotiations are under way for the purchase of a permanent field.  Work is already under way in clearing the field and the committee hopes to have it ready for use soon.

The question of sponsors for each of the three Bellefonte teams and one Milesburg club has been almost settled.  Although nothing definite has been arranged  with potential Bellefonte backers, promises have been secured from enough persons to take care of that number of teams.

April 18 was tentatively set for the opening date for spring training.  On that date candidates will report for drills.

Other problems to be solved include the acquiring of adult personnel to serve in a supervisory capacity during training and at games.

When all the problems are settled, “Little League” baseball will provide recreation for boys 9 to 12 years of age.  The league has decided to follow the bylaws of the national organization which call for player trades, a miniature diamond and other rules scaled to senior baseball regulations.

225 Expected To Apply for ‘Little League'. (1949, April 7). Centre Daily Times, p14

225 Expected to Apply for ‘Little League'

About 225 boys are expected to make application to play in  “Little League” in Bellefonte this summer, it was reported  at the league meeting in the VFW home in Bellefonte last night.

Glen Aumiller, secretary, reported that he is distributing application cards to all grade schools in the area.  These schools include Bellefonte, Bellefonte Parochial school, Bush Addition, Coleville, Pleasant View and Milesburg.

Cards are distributed only to those boys in the eligible age group - 9-12 years.  The card is to be filled out and signed by the boy and his parents.  Information will include age, grade, weight, throwing arm and other pertinent data.  Students will return the cards to their teacher.

A report from the field committee revealed progress on the proposed playing field.  Trees have been removed, grass burned off, and the grader is expected to begin work this week.

Frank Webster, president of the league, appointed Aumiller as Player Agent, Swengel Smith was named assistant.  The duties of the Player Agent  are numerous and can be summed up as being a guardian of the player.

James Decker, chairman of the Sponsorship committee, reported that he will make a final check of team sponsors this week.  

The group also voted to postpone the opening date for spring training to April 20.  This date was originally set for April 18 but Easter vacation prompted the postponement.

The 15 representatives present approved three suggestions for league umpires.  Officials at the games will be James Haupt, Wes Kushwara and Bud kelleher.  Other umpires will be named later.

Three team managers were named at the meeting.  John Drogan and Rev. Harry Carolus will each pilot a Bellefonte squad and Patrick O’Neil will take charge of the Milesburg group.  The third Bellefonte manager will be named later.

“Little League” equipment was displayed at the meeting by two dealers.  Smaller bats, gloves and catchers equipment were shown to representatives.  The league will use the regulation baseball however.

The next meeting is slated for the VFW home in Bellefonte at 8 p.m. on April 18.

‘Little League’ Slates Meeting At Bellefonte. (1949, April 14). Centre Daily Times, p14

‘Little League’ Slates Meeting At Bellefonte

A meeting of the “Little League” of Bellefonte is slated for the Bellefonte VFW at 8 p.m. Monday, John Drogan, secretary of the league, reminds interested persons.

Spring training is scheduled to get underway next Wednesday for the boys participating.  Much of the preliminary work has already been taken care of, but interested adults are urged to attend the meeting.

When in operation, the “Little League” will provide supervised training and games for the boys from 9 to 12 years of age.  The Bellefonte group has indicated that it will follow the by-laws as set down by the national group.

The plan has been adopted in other localities with considerable success.  The group plans to establish a pool of players at the beginning of the season and managers will be allotted a given number of points to purchase players.

The whole business is major league baseball on a smaller scale.  A special miniature diamond will be used with a center field fence 200 feet from home plate.

At the meeting Monday night a report from the field committee will be heard.  Negotiations are under way for the purchase of a field.  The brush has been cleared from the field and a grader was expected to begin operations next week.

Plans call for three teams from Bellefonte and one team from Milesburg.  All games will be played on the Bellefonte field.  Three of the four managers were named at the last meeting with one more to be named soon.

The sponsorship committee is scheduled to report at this session.  Past reports have indicated there will be no problem of securing sponsors for the teams.

Bellefonte Plans ‘Little League’ Drills Tomorrow. (1949, April 19). Centre Daily Times, p6

Bellefonte Plans ‘Little League’ Drills Tomorrow

Candidates for “Little League” baseball in Bellefonte have been instructed to report to the community field tomorrow at 6 p.m. for the opening day of spring training for the loop.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the “Little” loop at the VFW home in Bellefonte last night.

Players are requested to bring shoes and gloves for the opening session.  League officials have planned this introductory meeting to acquaint aspirants with the purpose and methods of the league.

The community field on East Bishop street was selected as the site for opening drills because the league’s own field is not ready for use.

Boys are reminded that registration cards will be issued at the field for those who have not registered.

Four sponsors were named at the meeting.  The Decker Motor Co. will back one team with Keckler Chevrolet sponsoring another, the team will be known as “Foresman Olds”.   The fourth squad will be called “Boughter’s Giants, “ sponsored by George Boughter of Bellefonte.

Equipment including 48 uniforms has been ordered.  The uniforms will be similar but a different trim will be used for each team.  The loop will use the regulation size baseball.

Approximately 150 to 175 boys are expected to turn out for the drills.  This is a decrease from the number originally expected  but some of the boys were declared ineligible because of age.  A breakdown of the age groups of the ``3 boys already registered reveals that there are 33 boys 9 years of age, 30 are ten years, 33 are 11 years with the remaining 17 being the maximum 12 years.

The opening date for the season was set for May 23.  The season will run 9 weeks with each team playing two games a week.  Each team will play 18 games.  A scheduling committee includes Harry Carolus, Pat O’Neil and John Drogan, was appointed.

There is still one opening for a manager of a team.  Three of the managers have been appointed, and naming of a fourth was postponed at last night's meeting.

Reports indicate that the town is backing the league with donations coming from organizations and individuals.

The group adopted as its official title “Little League of Bellefonte and Vicinity.”  

The next meeting will be at the VFW home at 8 p.m. on May 3.

Bellefonte Little Loop Lists Card. (1949, May 5). Centre Daily Times, p10

Bellefonte Little Loop Lists Card

Bellefonte Little League has released an 18 game schedule to open on May 23.  All Games will be played on the Little League field on Fifth avenue and are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Each team will play nine games, with the schedule calling for games every weekday except Wednesday.  The schedule:

Monday, May 23 - Foresman Old’s vs Decker Motors

Tuesday, May, 24 - Keckler’s vs Boughter’s Giants

Thursday, May 26 - Boughter’s Giants vs Decker Motors

Friday, May 27 - Keckler’s vs Foresman’s Olds

Monday, May 30 - Boughter’s Giants vs Foresman’s Olds

Tuesday, May 31 - Keckler’s vs Decker Motors

Thursday, June 2 - Foresman’s Olds vs Keckler’s

Friday, June 3 - Decker Motors vs Boughter’s Giants

Monday, June 6 - Boughter’s Giants vs Foresman’s Olds

Tuesday, June 7 - Decker Motors vs Foresman Olds

Thursday, June 9 - Foresman’s Olds vs Boughter’s Giants

Friday, June 10 - Decker Motors vs Keckler’s

Monday, June 13 - Foresman’s Olds vs Decker Motors

Tuesday, June 14 - Keckler’s vs Boughter’s Giants

Thursday, June 16 - Boughter’s Giants vs Foresman’s Olds

Friday, June 17 - Keckler’s vs Decker Motors

Monday, June 20 - Boughter’s Giants vs Decker Motors

Tuesday, June 21 Keckler’s vs Foresman’s Olds

Bellefonte Little Loop Meets Today. (1949, May 6). Centre Daily Times, p8

Bellefonte Little Loop Meets Today

An important meeting of the Bellefonte Little league will be held at  the Community field today at 6 p.m., it was announced this morning.

Frank Webster, president of the league, stressed that every boy who has been practicing  attend the meeting.

Little League Teams Chosen. (1949, May 10). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League Teams Chosen

Managers of the four teams in Bellefonte little league have chosen their teams and are working  out daily on various fields in Bellefonte, Frank Webster, league president, reported.

Each pilot has set a definite time and place for his team drills.  The league is set to open May 23.

The next meeting of the loop is slated for the Bellefonte VFW at 8 p.m., May 16, with more definite arrangements to be made regarding opening day ceremonies.

Webster added that the little league field on Fifth avenue is rapidly nearing completion and the field committee has hopes of using the field at the opening of the season.

Little Loop Subject of Post Article. (1949, May 11). Centre Daily Times, p8

Little Loop Subject of Post Article

Little League baseball, which will be started  for the first time in Centre County this year in Bellefonte and Penns Valley, is the subject of an article in the current Saturday Evening Post.

Written by associate editor Harry T. Patton, the article, “Small Boys’ Dreams Come True,” tells how scale-model baseball has grown through the efforts of Carl E. Stotz of Williamsport.

Little League fields are miniature big-league ball parks, tailored to the size of the players, according to the Post article.  Two of these fields are under construction in Centre County - one at Fifth avenue, Bellefonte, and the other at Old Fort, Centre Hall.

The one at Williamsport has an outfield fence over which the players can hit home runs, bleachers running the length of each foul line, an electric scoreboard, press box, roofed-in dugouts and a carefully graded and leveled and grassed playing field.

And the boys are surprisingly professional in their style of play, Mr. Paxton declares.

Little League Meets Wednesday. (1949, May 14). Centre Daily Times, p6

Little League Meets Wednesday

A meeting of Bellefonte’s little league is set for the VFW home in Bellefonte at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Frank Webster, president, said today.

This will take the place of the meeting originally slated for Monday night.  Wednesday’s session will be the last meeting before the loop officially opens.

To Lay Plans for Little Loop Opening Slate. (1949, May 17). Centre Daily Times, p8

To Lay Plans for Little Loop Opening Slate

Final plans for the opening of Bellefonte’s little league  will be made at a meeting of the loop at the VFW home at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Frank Webster, president said today.

With the loop set to open next Monday, this will be the final meeting before play gets started.  Appropriate ceremonies were planned  for the opening of the league, including informal dedication and short address by a speaker to be named later.

The managers of the four teams have already selected their boys and a formal roster will be submitted to player agent Glenn Aumiller tomorrow.

Work has continued on the new little league field which is located  on Fifth avenue in Bellefonte.  Extensive grading  and other work was required.  A member of the field committee reported today that the diamond will be ready by Monday.

Webster calls the attention of those persons who are not acquainted with the little league set-up to an article in the Saturday Evening Post entitled, “Small Boys Dreams Come True.”

Little League Plans Opening. (1949, May 20). Centre Daily Times, p10

Little League Plans Opening

Bellefonte’s Little League will definitely open the season on Monday May 23, it was decided at a meeting of the organization at the VFW home last night.

Work on the field is nearing completion, it was reported.  Poles for the backstop and the outfield fence have been set and work will continue on the grading of the field.

A discussion over whether advertising should be sold after a permanent fence is erected was referred to the field committee.

The remainder of the 3 ½ -hour session was devoted to a discussion of ineligible players.  The question raised as to whether or not the managers of the teams should have refunded to them the points which were paid for these ineligible players.

Little League Tilt Delayed by Rain. (1949, May 23). Centre Daily Times, p1

Little League Tilt Delayed by Rain

Frank Webster, president of the Little League of Bellefonte, announced today that the first game and opening ceremonies scheduled for the Fifth avenue field tonight have been postponed until tomorrow night because of wet grounds.

Boughter’s Giants and Decker’s will play a game at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow after the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.  Foresmen’s and Decker’s were scheduled tonight.

Bellefonte Little Loop Opens Today. (1949, May 24). Centre Daily Times, p8

Bellefonte Little Loop Opens Today

Kids inaugurate Little League Play with Game, Opening Program Today

Bellefonte’s little league was set to officially open today after postponement of yesterday’s game due to wet grounds.

Opening day ceremonies are slated to begin at 6 p.m., and Keckler’s will met Boughter’s Giants at 6:30 p.m.

The original plans for opening day will be continued for today’s game, according to Frank Webster, league president.  Plans call for a flag raising and a short address by Walter Keaney of Bellefonte.

The newly constructed little league field is located on Fifth avenue in Bellefonte.  This field has plenty of parking space, league officials pointed out.

The field committee took advantage of the extra day to complete more work on the diamond.  The playing field has been filled, leveled, rolled and dragged.  To date no grass has been sown, but the committee expects to add this and other details as the season progresses.  A backstop has been erected and a smooth dirt infield is in shape.

The four teams in the league are all in uniform, with different trim for each team.  The playing field is scaled down to two-thirds of the official size making the centerfield fence 200 feet from home plate.

Jim Decker, Kecler manager, said today he planned to use McMullen and Shuey for his battery.

Decker added that he planned to have Kearney on first, Daughenbaugh on second, Anderson on third and Webster at short.  Heffelfinger, Brooks and Heverly will comprise the outfield.

Harry Carolus, manager of the Boughter team, named Schreffler as his starting pitcher with Shultz slated for the catching position.

Either Dock or Bathurst will play third base, with High at second, Dick Kling at shortstop and Lingenfelter at first.

McMullen will be in center-field with Jerry Kling in right and Taylor in left.  Carolus said that his first reserves will be Baney and Mensch.

Wes Kushwara is head umpire of the league and his staff of eight assistants will handle all officiating at the games.

John Drogan, manager of the Decker Motor team said yesterday that arrangements were to be completed today for the postponed game with Foresman’s Olds rescheduled for tomorrow.

Little League Holds Opening, Postpones Tilt. (1949, May 25). Centre Daily Times, p8

Little League Holds Opening, Postpones Tilt

Bellefonte’s little league season got officially underway last night with the opening day ceremonies which included an address by Walter Kearney, flag raising ceremonies and selections by the Bellefonte High School Band.

Rain halted the contest between Boughter’s Giants and Keckler’s in the bottom of the second inning.

Kearney was introduced by District Attorney E. L. Willard, who acted as master of ceremonies for the occasion.  The speaker emphasized that baseball, in addition to providing recreation, teaches the youngsters the essentials of sportsmanship and, with it, good citizenship.

Frank Webster, president of the league, threw out the first ball after thanking the townspeople and his field committee which is composed of Dan Grove, C. A. Torsell and A. A. Kohlbecker.  He cited Cecil Vignetti and the borough of Bellefonte for excellent cooperation in getting the field into condition.

The Bellefonte Elks lodge presented a new flag to the loop and had charge of the flag-raising with the assistance of a color guard from the Bellefonte VFW.  An estimated 700 people viewed the ceremonies and stayed through the slight drizzle to watch one and on-half innings of little league ball.

Boughter’s Giants were ahead by a 1-0 count when fresh rain prompted chief umpire Wes Kushwara to call the contest in the bottom of the second inning.

Today’s schedule calls for Decker Motors to meet Foresman’s Olds in a game slated for 6:30 p.m.  Last night’s contest will probably be played next Wednesday.  A Memorial Day double header is not expected since Boughter’s team has an engagement that day to meet the Foresman squad.

The complete schedule calls for games week nights except Wednesdays, with the postponed games to be played on that day.

Foresman Tops Decker, 11-7, in Little League. (1949, May 26). Centre Daily Times, p12 

Foresman Tops Decker, 11-7, in Little League

Foresman’s Olds nipped Decker Motors, 11-7, in the first full game of the season in Bellefonte’s little league last night.

About 300 persons watched the lead change hands three times  before the winners pushed across four markers in the fifth and tow more in the sixth to ice the game.

Earl Burris, Foresman manager, used Paul Noll for five innings on the mound giving up four walks while fanning six.  Decker pilot John Drogan lifted his pitchers twice, with Charlie DeVinney finishing the game.

Carroll Dixon, Foresman right fielder, led the hitters with four for five, including three doubles.  The league continues tonight when Boughter’s Giants take on the Decker team at 6:30 at the league field.  Tomorrow’s contest matches Forseman’s with Keckler’s at the same time…