I was looking through some old papers for information on a family I’m helping with their genealogy, and came across this article that may be interesting to the Rippey folks who value their baseball memories so much….Jean Borgeson
Rippey Baseball Article reprinted from the Jefferson Bee, July 28, 1953
Rippey, Kingdom of Iowa Small Town Baseball
Four Towns Playing Ball in Town of 354
If you happen to be within n or four miles of Rippey on certain nights of the week you notice a brilliant glow in the sky – That means just one thing – BASEBALL!
The population of Rippey is 354 and on baseball nights it makes a pilgrimage to the ball park. The stores close, the television sets go off, and the stands fill up with devoted fans.
The Rippey Rippers is the name given to the Independent, semi-professional team which the Rippey community supports both financially and fan-wise. Although, Rippey has had a town team for as long as anyone can remember, the “new” team was organized in 1949 when the field lights were erected.
Fine Ball Field
The field, shown in the picture is one of the finest diamonds in the state. The infield is grass with dirt baselines. The grass outfield is bounded by two tiers of snow fence. Plans are being made to build a board fence. The distance to the left field fence is 340 feet, and the distance to the right field fence is 275 feet. Yankee stadium, incidentally measures 301 feet to left, and 296 to right.
The grandstand and bleachers will accommodate 650 persons. The diamond is located at the bottom of a natural amphitheater; so many spectators need never get out of their cars to watch a game.
The lights cost $5,000, and were paid for by selling shares at $50 apiece. There are shareholders from Rippey, Grand Junction, Jefferson, and Perry. The 80 bulbs and reflectors are hung on eight 80-foot poles. Each bulb is rated at 1,500 watts.
A park lighting association is in charge of maintaining the lights. This group is composed of Jake Peters, chairman; Hugo Norgren, secretary-treasurer; Lester High, I. J. Burk, E. C Fry, Herman Lambert, and Wesley Rittgers, board of directors.
The team is supervised by a board headed by Harold McCain. E. C. Fry is the Vice President and Walter Anderson, the secretary. The board is also responsible for the maintenance of the diamond. The field is usually kept up through the efforts of local men who volunteer for the job.
The field was purchased, in 1940 with money raised from donations. The 1939 team was the impetus for creating a new field. A heavy contributor to this cause was a Civil War veteran. R. G. Martin, the field was named in his honor.
Good Team Record
One advantage of having a good park is the increased crowd appeal. When more people come to the games, there is more incentive for the players to want to win.
The 18 members of the Rippers are by no means all residents of Rippey. Team members come from Churdan, Rippey, Grand Junction, Perry, Cooper, and Adaza. With such a wide area of selection, it is no wonder the Rippers have consistently come up with a good team.
Last year the flashy nine won 30 games, while losing only nine. A member of the Mid-State Baseball League, the team meets such competition as Audubon, Coon Rapids, Adel, Guthrie Center, Greenfield, Linden and Scranton. Currently, the players have a season’s record of 11 wins and nine loses. They are second in their league, winning seven and losing two. Coon Rapids leads with one league loss.
Little Pay
Unfortunately the proceeds from the season are usually just sufficient to cover the operating costs. Hence, the remuneration to the player, in terms of money is slight.
The players are guaranteed a split of a $500 “kitty” at the end of the season. Those who attend the most games, regardless of how many they play get the most cash.
Another source of income is the All-Star game which is held at the end of the season. The team who wins the league plays a team made up of players from the other league teams. The winner divides the greater portion of the take.
Three Other Teams
Only nine can play at one time and that isn’t good enough for the enthusiasts at Rippey. They have a high school team, a team for boys 13 through 14 and a team of youngsters 12 and under.
Past records for the high school have been very good, although the state crown has always eluded them. Last fall they came within one game of reaching district play. This spring, it was the same story as Roland, led by Gary Thompson, edged them out. Hopes were again dashed after West Des Moines ousted Rippey in the district finals of the summer tourney. Equally impressive is the fact that 20 out of the 30 boys in school are out for baseball.
The youngest boys aren’t given solely to watching and worshipping their heroes of the town team. A summer program has been set up for them under the direction of Jim Bullard. Bullard is a former Grand Junction athlete, now a medical student at the State University of Iowa.
The two teams made up of the 15 and under group play many of the same opponents. The midgets have a league composed of Boone, Pilot Mound, Grand Junction, Dana, Boxholm, Paton and Ogden.
Jake Peters, who assists Bullard, says 30 boys are out for the midget baseball. Unlike Little League, the youngsters at Rippey play on a full size diamond.
A Community Project
Like any modern community, Rippey wants to provide some sort of a planned recreation program for its youngsters and it its oldsters. This idea, plus Rippey’s “heritage” of baseball, combine naturally to make Rippey the baseball center of the state.