Burlington Little League Hall of Fame
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| Rollie Bauman throws out the first pitch on All Star Day 2007 |
Joe Schiestle
I became involved with the Little League
program back in 1974, when my son, Jay
became eligible to play. I helped coach his
minor league team, The Rangers. When my son
advanced to Little League in 1976, I became
manager of his Little League Team the Savers.
When my son advanced into the next league, I
decided to stay on to manage The Savers,
because that was a league and age level of kids
that I enjoyed coaching.
I managed the Savers and Hi-Liter Graphics for
over 24 years, and have been a part of the Little
League Program for 28 years total. As a
member of Burlington Lions Club, which
sponsored Little League for many years. I
served as the fundraising chairman.
I became involved with the Little League
program back in 1974, when my son, Jay
became eligible to play. I helped coach his
minor league team, The Rangers. When my son
advanced to Little League in 1976, I became
manager of his Little League Team the Savers.
When my son advanced into the next league, I
decided to stay on to manage The Savers,
because that was a league and age level of kids
that I enjoyed coaching.
I managed the Savers and Hi-Liter Graphics for
over 24 years, and have been a part of the Little
League Program for 28 years total. As a
member of Burlington Lions Club, which
sponsored Little League for many years. I
served as the fundraising chairman.
Bill Branen was largely responsible for the establishment of Branen Field in
Burlington. He started as a Little League coach in 1964 for the Montgomery Ward
team. In 1974, when Montgomery Ward dropped sponsorship, the name of the team
was changed to the “Minis” … for the Standard Press Mini weekend newspaper.
Branen was the publisher of several Wisconsin newspapers, including the
Burlington Standard Press.
His contributions to the Little League diamond at Sunset Park ranged from the 1973
installation of outfield fencing to dugouts in 1974 and for several years he matched
any financial contribution toward lights at that field, which he publicized in the
newspaper. They were in place by 1977. The diamond, called the finest Little
League field in southeastern Wisconsin, was renamed Branen Field in 1977. For
many years Little Leaguers hoped they would play “under the lights,” an experience
seldom before possible for young players.
Branen coached for 27 years. During that period the Minis were named Burlington
champs several times and traveled to participate in district competitions. He also
coached All-Star teams which he enjoyed and reported many of his team’s, and his
own, experiences in his weekly newspaper column, The Publisher’s Scrapbook.
Bill Branen died in July, 1988 from complications of an inoperable brain tumor. He
loved baseball and he loved Little League and the young people he coached.
There is a sign at Branen Field with the quote, “Winning isn’t everything – it’s
extremely important, but baseball basics and good sportsmanship are more
important.” That was his philosophy and he, hopefully, passed it on to his young
players.
Burlington. He started as a Little League coach in 1964 for the Montgomery Ward
team. In 1974, when Montgomery Ward dropped sponsorship, the name of the team
was changed to the “Minis” … for the Standard Press Mini weekend newspaper.
Branen was the publisher of several Wisconsin newspapers, including the
Burlington Standard Press.
His contributions to the Little League diamond at Sunset Park ranged from the 1973
installation of outfield fencing to dugouts in 1974 and for several years he matched
any financial contribution toward lights at that field, which he publicized in the
newspaper. They were in place by 1977. The diamond, called the finest Little
League field in southeastern Wisconsin, was renamed Branen Field in 1977. For
many years Little Leaguers hoped they would play “under the lights,” an experience
seldom before possible for young players.
Branen coached for 27 years. During that period the Minis were named Burlington
champs several times and traveled to participate in district competitions. He also
coached All-Star teams which he enjoyed and reported many of his team’s, and his
own, experiences in his weekly newspaper column, The Publisher’s Scrapbook.
Bill Branen died in July, 1988 from complications of an inoperable brain tumor. He
loved baseball and he loved Little League and the young people he coached.
There is a sign at Branen Field with the quote, “Winning isn’t everything – it’s
extremely important, but baseball basics and good sportsmanship are more
important.” That was his philosophy and he, hopefully, passed it on to his young
players.
| William E. (Bill) Branen |
We are in the process of gathering information for the Hall of Fame/History
pages. If you have any information or photographs you would like to
contribute please contact Scott Behnke or Kelley Albrecht.
pages. If you have any information or photographs you would like to
contribute please contact Scott Behnke or Kelley Albrecht.
Bill Schellfeffer
My time in Little League has provided me with many happy memories of working
with great kids and great adult volunteers.
Waller Field closest to Waller School is named after Joe. For the many years he
was principle there and for all the time he spent working on the fields to get them
ready for the games.
with great kids and great adult volunteers.
Waller Field closest to Waller School is named after Joe. For the many years he
was principle there and for all the time he spent working on the fields to get them
ready for the games.
Rollie Bauman has served the Burlington Little League as a coach, ump and board
member for 44 years and continues to dedicate his time the Burlington area youth.
He has been involved in High School Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Soccer and
Chain and Marker for almost as many years. He also is involved in Youth Softball,
Legion and Semi Pro Baseball as well as St. John's Basketball and Softball. He
served on the Town of Burlington Fire Dept for 40 years and U S A service for 2 years.
His earliest memories of Burlington Little League was when he began coaching
with Bob Wood. All teams were required to have 15 players and would include 9 &
10 yr olds. They played at Waller and Branen Field. He recalls passing the hat to
the parents, and when they got $3.00 they would have enough to treat the team to
Dairy Queen. Back then baseballs were $7.00 a dozen and H & B wooden bats
were $3.50. Catchers equipment was $40.00 and a sponsor could buy uniforms for
a team for $150.00. "Those were the days" adds Rollie. "I had the pleasure of
umpiring 3 special games: one my son played in, one my grandson played in, and
one my great grandson played in... What a joy that was!" Rollie will always
remember the players and the parents. Two of his favorite sayings are: "Fill the
White House with Little Leaguers and America will be controlled with common
sense" and "Little Leaguers have 3 characteristics - 1) they never talk with their
mouths, they only smile with them 2) if you want to talk with a little leaguer you have
to read his eyes 3) they are controlled with common sense".
member for 44 years and continues to dedicate his time the Burlington area youth.
He has been involved in High School Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Soccer and
Chain and Marker for almost as many years. He also is involved in Youth Softball,
Legion and Semi Pro Baseball as well as St. John's Basketball and Softball. He
served on the Town of Burlington Fire Dept for 40 years and U S A service for 2 years.
His earliest memories of Burlington Little League was when he began coaching
with Bob Wood. All teams were required to have 15 players and would include 9 &
10 yr olds. They played at Waller and Branen Field. He recalls passing the hat to
the parents, and when they got $3.00 they would have enough to treat the team to
Dairy Queen. Back then baseballs were $7.00 a dozen and H & B wooden bats
were $3.50. Catchers equipment was $40.00 and a sponsor could buy uniforms for
a team for $150.00. "Those were the days" adds Rollie. "I had the pleasure of
umpiring 3 special games: one my son played in, one my grandson played in, and
one my great grandson played in... What a joy that was!" Rollie will always
remember the players and the parents. Two of his favorite sayings are: "Fill the
White House with Little Leaguers and America will be controlled with common
sense" and "Little Leaguers have 3 characteristics - 1) they never talk with their
mouths, they only smile with them 2) if you want to talk with a little leaguer you have
to read his eyes 3) they are controlled with common sense".
| Burlington Little League PO Box 159 Burlington, Wi 53105 Kelley Albrecht President 262-210-7890 OR 262-424-5715 Hintz Park Concessions answering machine for rain-out information 767-0127 |