The Sartell Muskies amateur baseball team will celebrate its 40th season before the home game on Wednesday, June 20. The Muskies will host the Foley Lumberjacks at Champion Field starting at 7 p.m.
The Muskies were founded in 1979 and immediately qualified for the state amateur tournament in their first and second seasons. In their third season, the Muskies moved to Muskie Field, now known as Champion Field. That field was built through organizing, fundraising and labor of the Muskie families, with assistance from the city of Sartell and its citizens.
To honor those most responsible for founding the team and building a ballpark, these founders will be the inaugural inductees into the Sartell Muskies Hall of Fame. Ceremonies will occur just before first pitch at 7 p.m.
Founders are Larry (Rip) and Mille Rassier, Urban and Dorothy Frank, Larry and Aggie Traut, Lu and Dave Guggenberger Sr., and Jim and Marge Ohotto.
The 1979 Muskies: (front row from left) Mark Guggenberger, Steve Paul, Rip Rassier, Graham “Punky” Hendrickson, bat boys Todd Ohotto and Chuck Nelson, Pete Hess, Roger Ohotto, Greg Frank and Tom Gaughan; (back row) team host Sid O’Hara, John Vinge, Dave Wickstrom, Steve Johnson, John Dolan, Mike Roth, Lynn McClintok, drafted players: Jeff Neutzling from Avon, John Taufen from St. Joseph, John Omann from St. Stephen, and Bill Nelson.
