Russ Carpenter

“Godfather” of youth baseball in Bloomington … 9-year Little League manager, led in expansion from 2 to 4 divisions to involve more kids … after American Legion baseball ended in city, led in formation of Senior Babe Ruth League for boys 16-18 … coached 1973 All-Star team to state and Ohio Valley titles, berth in World Series (eliminated there by Sugar Creek, Mo., and pitcher Rick Sutcliffe … brought ’76 Ohio Valley tourney to Bloomington … also 25-year umpire, coach in Adult Basketball League … led in development of Lower Cascades softball and Winslow baseball fields, Winslow field named for him… he and wife, Ann, first husband-wife team inducted in State Babe Ruth Hall of Fame … died of cancer at 53 (1990).