25.1 F
Naperville
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Vintage Little League

-

Out of the Files, June 9, 2024 / Folks who receive national and daily reminders of what’s being celebrated during the week likely were reminded that for more than 80 years, the second week in June has been recognized as National Little League Week, a tribute to the largest organized sports program for youth in the world. Back in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared National Little League Baseball Week to commemorate the benefits of Little League and increase interest in the game.

Longtime Naperville residents may recall the excitement in 1963 when the Naperville All-Stars won the state championship, led by dedicated coaches who aimed to create lasting memories and instill values for play outdoors.

All these years later, Naperville Little League, established in 1952, continues to attract youngsters and spectators to its season. 

Original PN Post, May 2, 2013 / The Naperville Little League All-Stars who shined as the 1963 Illinois State Champions were Tom Bursh, front left, Brian Fosse, Barry Heidt, Tom Winrow, Bill Gorski, Steve Lawrowski and Jim Thomas. Mike Ballou, second left, Jerry Hills, Jay Wheeler, Gregg Blair, Francis Metz, Gregg Hepner and Irv Porter. Coach Ron Spamer, back left, George Schultz, Jerry Sackman, Larry Dietrich, Steve Giere, Jim Shoger and Manager Wilbert Hageman.

During the recent opening day for the 2013 Little League Season, ten members of the 1963 Naperville All-Stars gathered in Centennial Park to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their winning season that took them all the way to the Northern Region Tournament. During festivities, the players presented Wilbert Hageman with a special plaque in memory of the occasion, a series that lives on in the hearts and minds of sports-minded Napervillians.

The plaque reads, “The Most Successful Manager In Naperville Baseball History. No Team Has Gone as Far… No Team Had as Much Fun. 1963 Naperville Little League All Stars, Illinois State Champions, One Pitch Away from Williamsport.”

The ten players in attendance were Jay Wheeler, Steve Giere, Brian Fosse, Bill Gorski, Francis Metz, Irv Porter, George Shultz, Jerry Sackman, Larry Dietrich and Steve Lawroski.

Though the All-Stars lost in the regionals, fans loved them perhaps because players had tried to live up to the Little League Pledge: “I trust in God, I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win; but win or loose, I will always do my best.”

baseball_now

Above / Left to right: Brian Fosse, Irvin Porter, Jay Wheeler, Steve Giere, Steve Larowski, George Schultz, coach Wilbert Hageman with trophy, Bill Gorski, Larry Dietrich, Jerry Sackman, Fran Metz.

Photos courtesy Ruth Hageman and Marj Hageman Hornback.

Editor’s Note / For info about Naperville Little League Baseball program, click here. The website promotes a program for girls and boys, first grade to 8th grade, that is “committed to the goal of providing an outlet of healthful baseball activity and training under good leadership in an atmosphere of wholesome community participation.”

Naperville Little Leagues serves players from all the schools in School District 203 and School District 204, including youngsters in Naperville and parts of Bolingbrook, Lisle and Aurora.

Click here for the 2024 schedule of play.

- Advertisement -
PN Ombudsman
PN Ombudsman
An ombudsman is Scandinavian in origin dating back to Viking times; and refers to a community representative; usually acting independently on behalf of an organization, body of elected officials, or civic group. Thanks Scandinavia for inventing ombudsman.
spot_img

LATEST NEWS