BSB History

The following information comes from an article printed in The Examiner on July 16, 1963.

The Blue Springs Little League, a dream come true, was born during the winter of 1962-63. A few men, led by Charlie Mayfield, commander of the Stanley-Pack #499 American Legion post, got together and discussed the possibility of starting a midget league composed of teams of boys in the Blue Springs community. All of the men were enthusiastic about the idea and meetings were set on a weekly basis for the next several months.

The American Legion Post, not able to finance the whole project, agreed to start a fund raising campaign by selling needle threaders, with the proceeds going to the Little League fund. This was to be a series of money raising projects to meet the estimated cost of $600 needed for the starting equipment to outfit the teams.

Bill Rosser was selected as the first president of the newly formed Blue Springs Little League. Harold "Cotton" Basham, vice president, and Gene McGaw, secretary and treasurer. Next came the problem of finding the necessary managers and coaches. Ernie Pack was named the manager of the Orioles, L.W. McGaw and Bill Patterson, coaches; Truman Zentz, manager of the Tigers, and Bill Maxon, Ronnie Kellogg and Harry Parr, coaches; Bill Hummer, manager of the Yankees, Gil Georgeff, Don Borberg, Bill Hamrick and Hugh Quest, coaches; Joe Elliott, manager of the White Sox, Everett Coon and Homer Radford, coaches; Harold Williams, manager of the Senators, Emmet Thrasher, John Comfort and Mike Leone, coaches; Harley Dodson, manager of the Athletics, L.W. McGaw and Bill Patterson, coaches.

Initially, 104 boys between the ages of 9 and 12 registered and were signed to player contracts. The boys were then grouped into teams by placing their names in hats and the managers drawing eighteen names to form the six teams. It was decided to name the teams after American League teams.

The League constitution was drawn up and negotiations were held with umpiring groups to contract game umpires. A board of arbitration, composed of Ralph Shippy, Claude Baker and Gil Georgeff was appointed by President Rosser to settle all League disputes. A tentative schedule of games was set up, with a triple header involving all six teams and league play to continue through the summer, climaxed by an All-Star game on Labor Day afternoon.

Next came the problem of finding a suitable playing area. The Blue Springs Park had only one baseball field and it had already been taken by teams in the Eastern Jackson League. Representatives of the County Park Department were approached concerning the construction of an additional diamond and backstop on the park playground area. In order to expedite this movement a petition was circulated by members of the American Legion and presented to the Judge of the County Court asking for this construction.

In the meantime Herman E. Gentsch of East Lakeview Development Company, a home builder, gave the Little League permission to use 3 acres of ground in the Lakeview addition of Blue Springs. (Where the Feldman's store currently stands). As soon as the ground was obtained, Mr. Mayfield, Mr. Zentz and Mr. Rosser immediately erected a backstop, leveled the playing field and put up a fence around the field at Lakeview Addition.

All the while, donations were being solicited from community residents and various businessmen. A total of $1,521.02 was added to the Little League fund. The American Legion and Auxiliary staged a fish fry and added $150. Chances on an Antique car were sold which netted another $35. Mothers of the Little League operated cold drink and hot dog stands during the games. By this time the funds had reached to $2000. They decided to completely uniform the teams with all equipment. Up to date they have paid $2369 and still owe $500 to make this league a success.

A parade led by the High School marching band featuring members of all six teams was held in the business district Saturday before the starting games. The opening triple-header drew a large crowd and the reward of many months of planning and work was finally realized. Boys in T-shirts and blue jeans became boys in sparkling new baseball uniforms.

A vacant lot is now a fenced baseball park bearing the name “Home of the Blue Springs Little League" and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, the wholesome sound of "Batter Up" can be heard in the Blue Springs community.

The group have paid umpires and score keepers. The next triple header will be July 21.  Next year ten teams are planned. The All-Star team will be awarded an all-star patch and trophies will be awarded when the season is over.