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Watertown Baseball

1888

Watertown Gazette, 07 06 1888

Baseball players should be a little more choice in their language especially when ladies are present, than some of those who played on the Dennis ground last Sunday were. There were quite a number of the fair sex present on this occasion, and they were decidedly opposed to this part of the programme.

1905 “Jumbo” Keel

There is hardly a section of the state that the baseball “fans” are not acquainted with, or have heard of, R S “Jumbo” (R S) Keel as he has been a noted baseball player throughout this section for years and was signed with the Milwaukee league team one season but, owing to an injury, was unable to play the entire season.

1906 There are all probabilities that the Watertown city team and Northwestern University will cross bats next Wednesday, May 30, on the N. W. U. Campus. No definite arrangements have been made as yet, but the two managers will undoubtedly come to an agreement today. This will probably be one of the most exciting contests, since both teams will have their crowd of rooters and make things warm. The day will bring forth many baseball enthusiasts, the day being on a legal holiday. The Leader will announce more after the managers have come to a satisfactory agreement. May 26 WL

1906 Johnson Creek, June 26 - A good many of our people attended the base ball game between Jefferson and Watertown at the fair grounds at Jefferson last Sunday. We have always sent strong delegations to whatever was going on in Jefferson and hope the boys will retaliate and come and spend the Fourth without fear. We only advertised what we actually offered to the amusement loving public and can guarantee a good game in the forenoon as well as afternoon. The carnival will be something new in this next section and you can have as much fun as a barrel of monkeys. The arrangement committee has been trying to secure the Arion Military Band of Jefferson and offered them for a half day's playing more than we ever paid any band years before, but we were not able to make them see our way. Other arrangement have, however been made since. Come to Johnson Creek! June 29 WL

1906 Fred Schaetzke, who is spending the winter with his folks in Milwaukee, spent Thanksgiving in the city and remained over to attend the dance in the evening. Mr. Schaetzke will be remembered as one of the old stars in the Watertown baseball team, leaving here five years ago, when base ball enthusiasm was at its height and Watertown had a team that ranked among the highest with the amateur teams of the northwest During the season recently ended Schaetzke played with one of the Texas League teams and has a contract to play there next season. The gentleman has been in league company several times and has a good reputation in baseball circles. While in Watertown, he played second base and was the star player, being a heavy and sure batter. The visit of Schaetzke was much enjoyed by his many local friends. Dec 9

1908 Watertown defeated Hartford at Washington Park July 17 WG

1908 Watertown defeated Miller Brewing Co. of Oshkosh July 24 WG

1908 Watertown Rooters The Historical Society has a number of images of the Watertown Rooters attending the Watertown-Columbus baseball game of 09 04 1908 in Waterloo (WHS_007_KR216, 220, 221 and 356).

1908 Fred Merkle During a game on September 23, 1908, rookie Giant first baseman Fred Merkle . . . as was the custom of the time in such situations, headed for the Giant clubhouse in center field. Cub second baseman Johnny Evers - a stickler for rules - noticed that Merkle had not gone on to touch second . . .

1910c

WHS_007_KR349

Watertown Baseball, Milwaukee City League, c1910

Front row: Ed Schultz, J Miller, Boettcher

Sitting: George Richard, Frank McAdams, William Richard, W Kuenzi

Back: Pat Kronitz, John Bergan, F Leschinger

1910

Watertown Champions, Milwaukee City League, 1910

1912

Watertown Champions, Milwaukee City League, 1912

1923

Peter J. Norton, Old-Time Ball Player, Passes Away

Peter J. Norton, who died Wednesday night at his residence, 427 Wisconsin Avenue, in Oak Park, was the organizer, captain and one of the great players of the Dreadnaught team, which was the leading baseball nine of Chicago in the late sixties. That was before the professional White Stocking team won the first championship for Chicago in 1870. “Pete” was also one of the organizers and directors of the Old Timers’ Baseball association and President Joe Lawler and other of its members will act as active pallbearers at the funeral tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock from St. Edmund’s Church, Oak Park and Pleasant avenues. The interment will be at Calvary. [ Chicago, Feb. 10, 1923 ]

My Dear Jim:

The above is from the Chicago Daily News, 9th inst.

I’ll never forget the first real game of baseball I every saw in Watertown. “Pete” Norton pitched, John T. Flavin, Percy Werlich and George Matthes were on the “Live Oak” team at that time, they played the “Rock Rivers” of Jefferson. I was nine or ten, the uniforms made such an impression on me that I can see them vividly to this day.

The game was played on the Commons, near the C. & N. W. Ry. north of Lafayette Street. “Pete” was the hero of the day; the kids all tried to imitate him after that game. Up to that time the only game I knew was “one old cat” and “two old cats” as played at the “Deestrict” schools.

J. T. McGiveran

John T. McGiveran, the writer of this above, and a former Watertown boy, never allows anything to “go by” of interest to Watertown people, hence sent the above to The Gazette editor, his old time friend.

1953

11 08 1953

Al Linde, son of Fire Chief Al Linde of the Watertown Fire Department, ended his career in softball by being named to the all-star team of the world tournament which was held in Miami, Fla., recently. Linde, who plays with the Dow Chemicals, of Midland, Mich., was selected for the left field position in the all-star array. He has competed in seven world tourneys and is considered one of softball's greatest performers. He has been a player for 23 years.

1955

The Watertown Goslings won the state baseball championship. It was the first time for such an achievement. Article in Watertown History Annual #3 (2008) documents the occasion by commemorating the team and team players. The author. Dave Stalker, researched the newspaper clippings and box score's associated with each game and contacted most of the championship team members so to add updating information and perspective.

1956

04 26 1956

Watertown boys between the ages of 16 to 21 years old are in for “Big League” schooling and try-outs this summer. The Watertown Daily Times is inaugurating its first annual “Silver Sluggers” baseball program with the cooperation of the Milwaukee Braves. One or more boys who participate in the Watertown “Silver Sluggers” try-outs and school will be named to the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan All Star squad; and compete in the “Silver Sluggers” All Star game, Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Milwaukee County Stadium following a Braves-Cub afternoon tilt. The program was originated by the Milwaukee Sentinel and has the participation of leading Wisconsin and Upper Michigan daily newspapers.

1957

07 06 1957

The Watertown Cardinals will hold a full dress practice session at Washington Park tonight at 8 o'clock to set final plans for participation in the district tourney at Oconomowoc. Manager Erv Buchert has selected his tournament squad. On the roster are: infielders, Glenn Braunschweig, Jack Bast, Al Maas, Lou Kuckhan and Dave Balmer; outfielders, Mel Wagner, Bob Schultz, Dave Veldhuizen and Mike Mullen; catchers, Jerry Rabbach and Don Hartwig (Fort Atkinson); pitchers, Don Schmidt, Jim Thompson, Ronnie Braunschweig and Penny Dittman; utility, Dan O'Brien (Fort Atkinson).