Let 'play ball' ring through north valley

The recent kerfuffle surrounding Whitefish’s Memorial Field and the American Legion Glacier Twins baseball team brought to mind the many joys I experienced on that field during my teenage years. 

I grew up on Memorial Field, playing three years of Babe Ruth Baseball (age 13-15) for the Whitefish Lakers from 1965–67 and three years with the Glacier Twins from 1968-1970 (age 16-18). Additionally, I played four years of football on Memorial Field with the Whitefish Bulldogs from 1966 to 1969. They were magical times.  

Girlfriends came and went, with corresponding heartbreak, but Memorial Field was always there, never breaking my heart.  

Embarrassing me now and then, the Libby Loggers football team shellacked us 61-0 in 1968. But we took solace in the fact that we got more first downs than they did. They seldom needed four downs to go the length of the field.  

I wish I could remember all my baseball and football coaches, teammates and opponents from those idyllic days. The ones I remember have been lifelong friends and lovable foes whenever we meet, never failing to bring laughter and put-downs reminiscent of teenage boys.  

Memorial Field was predominantly a Babe Ruth field in those days. Games were generally local, with various Whitefish businesses sponsoring us by buying our uniforms. We played each other and our arch-rival Columbia Falls. Then, we would combine Whitefish and Columbia Falls players to field a Babe Ruth all-star team. The name “Glacier Twins” was used to capture both towns' contributions. 

It was a motley crew that made up the American Legion Glacier Twins of the late 1960s. We would cram as many as possible into a stretch station wagon when traveling. It frequently broke down, especially when traversing the continental divide to the eastern part of the state.  

This year marks the centennial of the American Legion baseball program and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion (Columbia Falls Freedom Post 72 and Whitefish Roosevelt Post 108) Glacier Twins. The league stands for the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925: “American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families, or play the sport at the highest level.”  

American Legion Baseball's alums include some of the sport's most recognizable names. Yogi Berra played for Fred W. Stockham Post 245 in St. Louis, saying it was the most fun he ever had. Ted Williams suited up for a post in San Diego. Frank Robinson led his Oakland team to the only back-to-back national championships in program history.  

The Cleveland Indians' great Bob Feller said playing American Legion baseball taught him as much about life as baseball. It allowed him to form lifelong friendships and taught him how to win and lose gracefully. He attributed his time playing American Legion ball to preparing for the mental and emotional strain of fighting in World War II.  

The American Legion Glacier Twins is a beloved team shared by Whitefish and Columbia Falls. The recent disagreements between the old and new Glacier Twins are reminiscent of the rivalry between our two great communities. It is remarkable how intense this rivalry is throughout the school year, yet it dissipates when “play ball” rings through the north valley, bringing these two communities together. 

As the Glacier Twins play under the aegis of the American Legion, the Whitefish and Columbia Falls Posts should implement “damage control” by addressing the tempest. They must right the listing ship, ensuring “fair winds and following seas” guide the American Legion Glacier Twins for another 100 years.  

Tom Muri is a fifth-generation Montanan and military JAG retiree who writes from Sedona, Arizona, and Missoula. He is from Whitefish.