New Germany Dutchmen
Dutchmen baseball rich in tradition
The New Germany Dutchmen amateur baseball team is a member of the Crow River Valley League , and has a strong tradition in the New Germany community .
The 2021 season had a more normal feeling than the 2020 season did . After a shortened season a year ago , the Duthmen played a full schedule in 2021 .
New Germany finshed the regular season with an overall record of 5-14 in CRVL play . They were the No . 14 seed in the league playoffs .
The Dutchmen had their season come to an end in the league playoffs . They were swept by the Watertown Red Devils in two-straight games by scores of 20-2 and 12-1 .
Dawson Matin was voted the team MVP this season while Tony Wischnack was voted the team ’ s Pitcher of The Year .
Fathers Day celebration
The Dutchmen host an annual Fathers Day pork chop dinner every year , and it has become one of the more popular baseball attractions during the summer .
A strong tradition
Baseball has been an important part of New Germany ’ s history since the early 1900s , and is to this day .
New Germany baseball legend Gerald “ Beans ” Roepke noted that in the early 1900s until 1955 , baseball in New Germany was played in Fred Hein ’ s pasture , which is now Lindstrom Park .
In 1955 , a new ballpark was built on School District 77 land , and dugouts and the grandstand were built with the help of volunteers .
In 1956 , the New Germany city fathers organized a team , and with manager Harry Zellmann , joined the 7-Hi League , which also included Excelsior , Hopkins , Hutchinson , Long Lake , Mound , Richfield , and Winsted .
The ballpark was dedicated May 6 , 1956 . Later , the village of New Germany purchased the property .
Changes took place at the ballpark , and in 1970 , the grandstand and dugouts were rebuilt .
In 1980 , a chain link fence was installed and dedicated in memory of Dean Hensel , son of Loren and Dorothy Hensel , according to the New Germany Centennial Book .
In 1959 , New Germany entered the Crow River Valley League with the teams of Glencoe , Green Isle , Hamburg , Lester Prairie , Mayer , Norwood , Plato , and Young America .
In this same year , the New Germany baseball team became known as the “ Dutchmen ” as its official name , by which it is still known today .
In 1987 , the Crow River Valley League was split into two divisions , the North and the South . New Germany was placed in the North Division .
The Dutchmen were Crow River Valley League Champions in 1964 , 1967 , 1968 , and 1971 .
The Dutchmen have made five state tournament appearances ; 1967 in Alexandria , 1968 in Springfield , 1970 in St . Cloud , 1971 in Brownton , and most recently in 1997 , when they beat
File photo
Mike McGill was the workhorse on the mound for the New Germany Dutchmen in the 2021 season .
Buckman 7-5 in the first game , and lost to Le Sueur , 4-3 , in the second game .
In 1971 , the Dutchmen had their best showing at state , placing third .
In 2017 , New Germany hosted the Region 7C tournament where they set a new attendance record .
Hall of famers
The New Germany Dutchmen have one member in the Minnesota Baseball Amateur Hall of Fame . That member is Gerald “ Beans ” Roepke , inducted in 1993 . After 29 seasons of playing baseball , and before retiring from the Dutchmen , Roepke posted some impressive accomplishments .
In 1961 and 1980 , he was voted the team ’ s most valuable player ; in 1980 , 1981 , 1982 , and 1986 , he had the Dutchmen ’ s highest batting average ; in 1981 , he won the Crow River Valley League batting title , with a . 446 batting average .
That same year , 1981 , he was selected the Most Valuable Player in the Crow River Valley League all-star game .
2021 proved to be a tough year for the Dutchmen family as both “ Beans ” and Ron Wischnack passed away this past year .
File photo
In 2017 , the New Germany Dutchmen hosted the Region 7C tournament and broke the attendance record .
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