Pictured are the founding members of the Hamilton Little BIGGER League, now known as the Babe Ruth league. Standing: Jack Zoller, Jerry De Pew, Walt Fajgier, Elmer Gafgan, Wes Dawson, Leon Newton, Gil Lugossy, Ray Bell, Dave Bryan, Bill Hawley, Frank Ondrushek, Bob Walker and Turk Morgan. Sitting:Elmer Young, Russ Wilbert, Ron Fiori, Ed Skimmons, Joe Brodowski, Jim Birch, Ron Bearce, Jack Christner, Frank Lugossy, Jerry Welsh, Jack Hutchinson, Gino Massini, Vince Savelli, Jim Stevenson, Bill Shurter, Tony Marant, Ted Kinter and Jack Baggaley. Not pictured: Bob Barbalacci, Frank Hickman, Jack Ivarone, Carl Kraemer, Bob Lewis, Ed Morris, Joe Ryan, Tanky Schiable, Ken VanNest and Henry Zelt.
The remaining founding members of the “inaugural” Hamilton Little BIGGER League pose next to a new sign at the original Babe Ruth field, which opened 63 years ago on May 14, 1951. The league is now known the Hamilton Babe Ruth league.
The men gather each month and in May of every year to hold a lunch commemorating the opening of the league and recall their glory days of running those bases all those years ago.
