Gratiot County Baseball League's Hall of Fame

GCBL Hall of Fame

A long, rich history of men’s league baseball exists in Gratiot
County – a history that many people in the county do not even know
about. The Gratiot County Baseball League is the longest running
baseball league in the state of Michigan and has been traced back to
1928. This league continues today, but represents more than just
Gratiot County. During the 2008 season, the league consisted of 14
teams and six were from Gratiot County – Alma, Breckenridge, Fulton,
Riverdale Lumberjacks, Riverdale Rivermen, and St. Louis.
The Gratiot County Baseball League held its annual winter banquet
celebrating the 2008 season on January 31, 2009 at the Breckenridge
Legion Hall. Awards were presented by league officials for teams
that won championships for the regular season, as well as the
playoff championships. League leaders in batting averages,
pitching, homeruns, and stolen bases were also recognized along with
coach of the year.
The banquet was special this year as the Gratiot County Baseball League
proudly inducted five members into the first ever GCBL Hall of Fame. An
audience of over one hundred people including players, coaches, friends,
and family members were in attendance to witness the induction ceremonies

2009 Hall of Fame Class

These men were chosen by a GCBL committee who spent many hours combing league archives to locate the most influential and dedicated people of the league. Each Hall of Fame inductee did more than just play ball for the league, as all five were also coaches, two were league presidents, and two also umpired. The Gratiot County Baseball League plans to continue to add new members to its Hall of Fame each year at its end of season banquet

Laney Barton

Born: July 22, 1926Died: June 21, 2007Elected As: PlayerLaney Barton's legacy will always be that of a true gamesman. He began his GCBL career with the Sumner squad in 1946 until 1950 for coach Forest Davis. In 1951 he played for Elwell under Coach Gordon Grant where he played in three GCBL championships before returning to Sumner and starting his own squad in 1955. Primarily used as a pitcher, Barton had his final start on the mound in 1973 - at age 47. Not content with the playing conditions afforded the club in Sumner, he built his own field and ultimately played in two championships, winning one in 1966. Remnants of the Sumner field still remain, though it has seen its better days. Some of the materials used in its construction were later relocated to Lumberjack Park in Riverdale and to some extent, can still be found there to this day. Laney continued to maintain a presence in the GCBL after his playing days with Sumner by managing the North Star club through the 1977 campaign. All in all, he spent a total of 32 years in the league and was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2009.

Vern Carman

Born: August 16, 1928Died: December 31, 1986Elected As: Player

Vern Carman was known as a feisty competitor. So much so he was attributed as once saying, "I'd throw at my own mom but I wouldn't hit her and I'd help her get up. But I'm here to win." And win he did. Carman started in the league in 1943 and played alongside his father before going on to play with teams out of Marion Springs, St. Charles and Sumner. It was as a player with Manager Louie Sipkovsky's Ashley teams, however, that he made his mark. He won 11 championships with Ashley including a string of seven in a row. That streak was only broken up by Laney Barton's Sumner squad in 1966. In 1972, he began managing a team out of North Star and continued to do so until 1977. During that time, he won his last championship winning the regular season title in 1977. Overall, he had eight sons play in the GCBL and was involved with the league for 38 years. As a player, he won two batting titles. Vern Carman was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2009

Tom Croton

Born: January 19, 1914Died: September 16, 1997Elected As: ExecutiveThe wise king doesn't flatter; rather, he says what he thinks. Tom Croton did exactly that in leading the GCBL as president of the league from 1949-1974. He began his involvement with 1934 as a player with Elm Hall before playing for St. Louis two years later. He began coaching the Elwell squad and won four league titles with them. After GCBL founder Bill LaPaugh passed away in 1949, Croton stepped in and became the league president - a post he held until 1974. During his tenure the GCBL experienced tremendous growth with as many as 16 teams during certain seasons and never less than 12 in any year of his leadership. On top of this feat, many times all teams were located geographically within Gratiot County. Croton is credited with overseeing the GCBL split in 1948 to form what is currently known as the existing league as well as setting the framework for the organization as we know it today. He continued to coach the Alma Merchants through 1975, a team made up of 18 and 19 year olds, never concerning himself with his teams success as much as with the league's success. His 41 years of service proves his commitment to the league and the surrounding communities despite personal gain. He was elected to the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2009

Louie Sipkovsky

Born: June 1, 1922Died: September 23, 1999Elected As: ManagerWidely considered the 'Father of the League' Louie Sipkovsky will always be known for winning championships - 41 overall. Starting in 1937 as a player with Ashley, he would go on to build the most dominating teams in the history of the league. In 1948, Sipkovsky became coach of the Ashley squad but didn't win his first GCBL title until 1959 -- and then won 17 more before retiring in 1990. His teams qualified for the post-season 42 times and won 23 regular season titles. His 18 GCBL championships are twice as many as any other team in the league. As a second baseman and two-hole hitter, he won a batting title in 1952 before retiring as a player in 1965. From 1959-1975, seventeen seasons, Ashley won 13 titles including strings of seven in a row and four in a row. In 1981, he succeeded to the league president role which he held for 10 seasons before leaving the league altogether in 1990, one year before Ashley won it's 19th and last, GCBL title. The Louie Sipkovsky Award is given annually to the top coach in the GCBL as voted on by the executive board. He was elected to the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2009.

2010 Hall of Fame:

Archie Wenzel
Born: September 14, 1934
Elected As: Manager
Beginning in the GCBL in 1949, Archie Wenzel blazed a trail for current league members to follow. Using his analytical baseball skills, creativity and personality, Archie remained in the league for 38 seasons with two teams. His philosophy included, "... players playing at a superior level when coaches coach at a superior level." In 1951 he left for military duty returning for the 1955 season. In an effort to expand the league, he built a field in Saginaw County and termed it, 'Wenzel Park'. When not playing or managing the team at Wenzel Park, he made his home in Marion Springs where he won a GCBL title in 1981. In true appreciation for what the GCBL had to offer, his involvement became a family affair that spread to his brothers as well as his sons. At one time, he played in the league with 8 other brothers and had one son (Brian) win a batting title and one (Vic) manage the St. Louis squad. He remained steeped in the GCBL long after his playing and managing days were over by becoming a widely known and often used umpire. Archie was elected to the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2009

Bill LaPaugh
Born: December 26, 1915
Died: December 16, 1949
Elected As: Executive
Bill LaPaugh will always be thought of as an educator of men, an innovator throughout Gratiot County and an everlasting founder of the Gratiot County Baseball League as we know it today. Having served three years in World War II, LaPaugh returned to the area and began a teaching career at Alma College. As a member of both the Alma and Riverdale squads throughout his playing days, LaPaugh began organizing the GCBL and in 1946 founded the league and its eight members. By the following year, the league had grown to 16 teams and two divisions. Showing off his hitting prowess that he honed while playing collegiately at Alma College, LaPaugh won both the 1946 and 1947 batting titles. As if running the GCBL and playing simultaneously wasn’t enough, he also ran a fast pitch softball league and commissioned a men’s basketball league in Gratiot County – all at the same time. As a prep athlete, Bill participated in track, wrestling, baseball, football and basketball as well as fast and slow pitch softball. After his high school career ended, he stayed close to the Gratiot County athletic scene by officiating baseball, football and basketball at local schools. After his untimely death, the annual Bill LaPaugh Memorial Award was given in his memory, starting in 1950, to the championship team each year in the GCBL. At a time when small town Americana ruled, Bill LaPaugh brought something new and exciting to the Gratiot community. Each and every year, his influence and ingenuity is felt as the GCBL continues to flourish. Bill was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2010.

Harold Roberson

Born: September 24, 1918

Died: May 7, 1999

Elected As: Player

There are unforgettable memories, glimpses, and moments that stand out in the baseball mind. Over time, the games and seasons slowly combine into one. But there are certain images and moments – split second, breathtaking moments – that find their way into our everlasting mindfulness. The echo of a fastball exploding into a catcher's mitt is one of those moments that live on to this day. And not just any fastball but one thrown by Harold Roberson. Harold Roberson played baseball through the 1958 season and is often considered the most talented player in the history of the Gratiot County Baseball League. Playing out of Elwell, Roberson collected seven pitching titles, the most of any other pitcher in league history. His fastball alone was estimated to reach speeds of 94 MPH and his overall presence on the field more intimidating still. During his 17 seasons in the GCBL, his teams collected seven regular season titles and four championships. Teaming up with fellow Hall of Famer Gordon Grant, Elwell won the GCBL in 1948, 1950, 1951 and 1952 – all with Roberson on the hill. He was selected as a member of the very first GCBL All-Star team in 1949 as a pitcher and also served in the United States Navy for three years during World War II. His tour of duty aside, it’s hard to imagine how many more pitching titles Roberson may have collected. One of Harold’s proudest moments in baseball came in 1965 as his son Harold Jr. was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Mets – four rounds ahead of future MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. Yes, baseball is a conglomerate of memories, three of which that will now belong to the ages: A small-town ball field. A sunny Sunday afternoon. And the unmistakable echo of a Harold Roberson fastball. Harold was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2010.

Gordon Grant
Born: December 27, 1918
Died: December 24, 2008
Elected As: Player
Gordon Grant is one of the most recognizable names in the history of the Gratiot County Baseball League, first making his mark as a player, then leading his team as a coach, and finally promoting the league amongst his community. Hailing from Elwell, Grant first made his mark on the GCBL after having tried out with the St. Louis Cardinals of the Major Leagues. A prolific outfielder, he carried his Elwell club to regular season titles seven times including GCBL championships in 1948, ’50, ’51 and ’52. Having served in the South Pacific for three years during World War II, he returned home and was selected to the first ever league All-Star team in 1949. As his playing days began to dwindle, Gordon began coaching his hometown club and had as a member of his team fellow Hall of Famer Laney Barton. As if his playing and coaching days weren’t enough, he began umpiring in the league after retiring as a player and coach in 1958. But perhaps his greatest impact on the league was his outreach to his community. Gordon was known to treat the town to a picnic after home games in which all would be invited. He organized and hosted team reunions throughout the seventies and eighties in which numerous former players would attend. Over the course of his thirty years of involvement in the league, he was a Hall of Fame player, a champion coach, and an overall shining ambassador for the town of Elwell, its citizens and those amongst the participants of the Gratiot County Baseball League that had the honor of coming into contact with him. Gordon was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2010.

Ron “Whitey” Loomis

Born: April 12, 1944

Died:

Elected As: Manager

It’s been said, “Friendships are forgotten when the game begins,” and Ron “Whitey” Loomis echoes that sentiment. A fierce competitor as a player and coach during the game always yielded to a true ambassador of the GCBL afterward. Loomis started his baseball odyssey as a player for his father’s Crawford team out of the North League at the early age of twelve. He would go on to put another 49 years into baseball as a coach, general manager, league president and GCBL board member. From 1956-1976, Loomis played on various teams such as North Star, Tony’s Bar and the By Way Inn before taking over and managing the Riverdale Lumberjacks. For 18 of the next 21 years, he skippered the Lumberjacks to a 287-149 record and three league titles (1977, 1978 and 1989). His clubs played in a staggering eleven championship games, qualified for the playoffs fifteen times and led the league in wins during the regular season six times. Beginning in 1991, Whitey wore ‘two hats’ as he took on the responsibility of becoming the GCBL President, a post he resided over for fourteen seasons. Those years saw the league greatly enhanced as it found inclusion into the Felch U.P. Hardball Tournament (1990) as well as starting the GCBL Labor Day classic (2004). He also standardized a set of rules and bi-laws for the league and launched the startup of the leagues own website. Loomis remained close to the Riverdale squad as the General Manager of the club from 1997-2005; a role that saw the Lumberjacks capture three more regular season titles as well as two GCBL championships (1998, 2002). Through his efforts with historic Lumberjack Park, the playing field and surrounding amenities were greatly enhanced and from 1969-2005 you could guarantee that Whitey would be hosting his county-wide famous hog roast at the park. Though he remains a board member as of the 2010 season, Loomis returned to his field general role with a Mt. Pleasant squad in 2009 and captured the GCBL Labor Day Classic title with many of his former players on the roster. Friendships may be forgotten when the game begins, but the impact Ron “Whitey” Loomis had on the Gratiot County Baseball League will not be. Ron was inducted into the GCBL Hall of Fame in 2010.