Sign recognizes two local youth sports promoters
HANCOCK – There is a decades-long tradition of baseball and softball in Hancock, and Friday a sign recognizing two influential promoters of the sports was dedicated at the Hancock Driving Park.
In 2015, the Hancock City Council named the softball field after Gordon “Gordy” Schaaf, and this year they named the Little League field after William “Bill” Givens, and the sign provides a short biography of the men and their efforts for their sports.
Because of rain showers, about 30 people gathered in the chalet next to the ball fields near the Houghton County Fair grounds to hear several people speak, including Schaaf, before the unavailing of the sign.
Schaaf said when the Hancock City Council and representatives of the city’s schools realized a place was needed for a place to play baseball and softball in the city, so the city purchased what was at the time a place to race horses and constructed the ball fields.
“Build the fields and they will come, right?” he asked.
When the place was a race track, Schaaf said it was a place for gambling, but it became something better.
“Now, it’s turned into something like this,” he said.
Schaaf said he knew Bill Givens very well, and he was a valuable guide for children learning how to play baseball.
“He was a great teacher and a great coach,” he said.
Schaaf said playing organized baseball helps children socialize as they grow up.
“What they’re going to do is make lifetime friends,” he said.
Schaaf said it’s important for children to get exercise and playing baseball and softball is a valuable way to do that.
“Rather than play video games, get them out and play,” he said.
John Haeussler, Hancock recreation commission chairman, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the program, said the efforts for the signs dedicating the two ball fields began with his predecessor on the recreation commission, Dennis Hagenbuch, but he was glad to be a part of it.
“I fell into the right place at the right time,” he said.
Chris Givens, Bill Givens son, said the Givens family appreciates the recognition of the legacy of the two men the sign provides.
“I think my dad had a firm grasp on his legacy before he passed away,” he said.
Bill Givens died in 2003 at the age of 66.
His dad was more interested in having children learn to enjoy baseball rather than worry about winning and losing, Chris Givens said. His dad didn’t expect anything in return for his efforts with Little League.
“He was just an excellent person,” he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony were hancock Mayor Lisa McKenzie, Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson and Steve Lasco of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development region, which provided some funding for the creation of the sign.
Sign recognizes two local youth sports promoters
HANCOCK – There is a decades-long tradition of baseball and softball in Hancock, and Friday a sign recognizing two influential promoters of the sports was dedicated at the Hancock Driving Park.
In 2015, the Hancock City Council named the softball field after Gordon “Gordy” Schaaf, and this year they named the Little League field after William “Bill” Givens, and the sign provides a short biography of the men and their efforts for their sports.
Because of rain showers, about 30 people gathered in the chalet next to the ball fields near the Houghton County Fair grounds to hear several people speak, including Schaaf, before the unavailing of the sign.
Schaaf said when the Hancock City Council and representatives of the city’s schools realized a place was needed for a place to play baseball and softball in the city, so the city purchased what was at the time a place to race horses and constructed the ball fields.
“Build the fields and they will come, right?” he asked.
When the place was a race track, Schaaf said it was a place for gambling, but it became something better.
“Now, it’s turned into something like this,” he said.
Schaaf said he knew Bill Givens very well, and he was a valuable guide for children learning how to play baseball.
“He was a great teacher and a great coach,” he said.
Schaaf said playing organized baseball helps children socialize as they grow up.
“What they’re going to do is make lifetime friends,” he said.
Schaaf said it’s important for children to get exercise and playing baseball and softball is a valuable way to do that.
“Rather than play video games, get them out and play,” he said.
John Haeussler, Hancock recreation commission chairman, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the program, said the efforts for the signs dedicating the two ball fields began with his predecessor on the recreation commission, Dennis Hagenbuch, but he was glad to be a part of it.
“I fell into the right place at the right time,” he said.
Chris Givens, Bill Givens son, said the Givens family appreciates the recognition of the legacy of the two men the sign provides.
“I think my dad had a firm grasp on his legacy before he passed away,” he said.
Bill Givens died in 2003 at the age of 66.
His dad was more interested in having children learn to enjoy baseball rather than worry about winning and losing, Chris Givens said. His dad didn’t expect anything in return for his efforts with Little League.
“He was just an excellent person,” he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony were hancock Mayor Lisa McKenzie, Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson and Steve Lasco of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development region, which provided some funding for the creation of the sign.
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