File Photo
In 2017, the New Germany Dutchmen hosted the Region
7C tournament and broke the attendance record.
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 offi cial 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.
22
The Dutchmen were Crow River Valley League
Champions in 1964, 1967, 1968, and 1971.
The Dutchmen have made fi ve state tournament
appearances; 1967 in Alexandria, 1968 in Springfi eld,
1970 in St. Cloud, 1971 in Brownton, and most recently
in 1997, when they beat Buckman 7-5 in the fi rst 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.
Offi cial Guide To Mayer & New Germany 2018-19