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Wallen Celebrates 50 Years; Eric Wedge on Hand for Rededication
By Chad Gramling | July 14, 2008
As the Fort Wayne Wizards and Hardball Capital develop the oft-discussed ballpark at Harrison Square, onlookers see - a new era or sorts on the local baseball horizon. However, a few miles north of where Harrison Square’s home plate awaits the first pitches of that new era, one of Northeast Indiana’s baseball treasures still thrives on its past.
In 1958, former Chicago Cub, Sal Madrid settled into Fort Wayne and took the field with local semi-pro quads; North American Van Lines and Allen Dairy. The Northeast Indiana Baseball Hall of Famer saw the local school diamond empty and was compelled to found the Wallen Community Baseball League. In doing so, he assured that any child who sought to play would play.
In 1959, 58 boys within four teams took the field for the inaugural season of Wallen Baseball. Since that day, the league has undergone change, but mostly to sustain its phenomenal growth. Tonight, the Wallen League celebrated its 50th anniversary for baseball, and 30th for softball. This season, some 1,500 kids put down their video games and turned off their televisions to step onto the diamonds at the Wallen Complex.
The league’s most famous alumnus, current Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge, was on hand to join in the re-dedication efforts. He also signed autographs for the many in attendance and took time to speak with anyone who sought a small bit of his time. Other alumni from Wallen include Jim Crall who played in the Ranger’s farm system, Brian Reith who was drafted by the Yankees and made it to the Majors with the Cincinnati Reds and Mike Morrison who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 and is now on the roster of Gulf Coast Community College.
Growing up in Auburn, I sometimes find myself amazed by what I see and experience in Fort Wayne baseball. It’s pretty interesting to go to events like this and be among the few who are experiencing them for the first time. Because of that, I like to talk to anyone who will give me a few of their minutes. I met up with many other folks who had ties to the league, including current Wallen Baseball President Shawn Cumberland (thanks for the logo Shawn), and longtime Wallen Baseball player, coach, historian, et al, Chuck Itt.
I spoke to some of the kids who were about to take the field in the all-star games and I spoke to kids who used to play at Wallen, but had reached an age where they had to move on to different leagues.
In short, I spoke to folks with 50 years of tenure and I spoke to boys and girls in their first. But the stories were early the same. The common thread had folks telling me with pride that “My dad used to play here,” or “My brother played here,” or “This used to be where we would hang out even when there weren’t games.”
Physically, the Wallen Complex is a set of ball diamonds with a small concessions area and a couple bathrooms. But in reality, it is much more than that. Throughout the generations, stories are as varied as their participants. With Eric Wedge’s homecoming for the festivities, we’re reminded that Eric’s dad, Tim, served as President of the League from 1981 to 1985. As I watched the widow of league founder, Sal Madrid, meet with men and women, boys and girls, I was treated to a small glimpse of the literally thousands of lives she and her late husband touched through a little slice of baseball heaven on earth.
It’s a place where families and friends are rooted. It’s a fabric unlike any other that threads thousands of souls with baseball and softball.
Below is a gallery of photos taken from tonight’s event. Enjoy!
Topics: IMHO, Local Ties, Wallen Baseball |
