This page last modified:  Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 11:28 AM

Earl Bondy (1917-1990)

Earl Bondy was a driving force behind Babe Ruth Baseball in Salina, Kansas until his death in 1990.  He was a key organizer of Salina’s Babe Ruth program in 1973 and served as its first president.  Recipient of Salina’s Community Service Award in 1989, his dream was to empower the lives of all girls and boys, especially those not as skilled as their teammates, by giving them the opportunity to be part of a team and play in each game.  The Earl J. Bondy Baseball Complex was dedicated July 9, 1999 in Salina  Click on picture for more information about Earl Bondy. 

Gene Buie

Gene Buie was and continues to be a key player in the development and administration of Kansas Babe Ruth Baseball.  During his 30 plus years of involvement he has coached, umpired , served on local boards and since 1988 served as the Assistant State Commissioner for 16-18 year olds.  Gene was elected into the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in the summer of 2001 and induction ceremonies were held September 15, 2001 in Topeka, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information about Gene Buie.

Darren Daulton

Darren Daulton was elected to the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 1992.  Darren played Babe Ruth Baseball in Arkansas City in 1975-’78.  He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 25th round of the 1980 June Free Agent Draft and made his major league debut in 1983.  As a catcher, “Dutch” was instrumental in leading the ‘93 Phillies to the World Series and his leadership also proved essential when he was picked up by the Florida Marlins late in the 1997 season as they defeated Cleveland in the World Series. Induction ceremonies for Darren were held in Moundridge, KS August 5, 2000 during the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament-13 Year-Old Division.   Click on picture for more information about Darren Daulton.

George Fellers (1916-1980)

George Fellers, an original member of Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame was also the original State Director as he began Babe Ruth Baseball in Kansas in 1955.  George was also a Regional Director in 1956 and served as secretary for 16 of the 22 years he was associated with Babe Ruth Baseball.  Most of his time was spent in McPherson developing Babe Ruth Baseball in Kansas.  Click on picture for more information about George Fellers.  Induction ceremonies were held in July 1988.

Owen Kaufman

Owen Kaufman was inducted into the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame on September 30, 2000 at Emporia, Kansas..  Owen’s involvement with Babe Ruth Baseball started as a volunteer and league officer where he quickly rose to his present position as District 4 Commissioner which he was appointed to in 1985 by then State Commissioner John Villar. Click on the picture for more information about Owen Kaufman.

Jim Kelly (1919-1997)

Jim Kelly was instrumental in the establishment of Babe Ruth Baseball in Pittsburg.  He served the state as a District Commissioner and was a dear friend of Babe Ruth Baseball in Pittsburg,  District 5 and the State of Kansas.  Jim entered the Kansas Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Gary Kuntz

A successful, progressive and an all inclusive youth baseball program needs an organized leader with a genuine desire to involve each and every boy in the game of baseball.  Gary Kuntz was that leader for Kansas Babe Ruth Leagues, where the needs of each and every participant were taken into consideration.  With a strong sense of fairness and the best interests of our youth foremost in all that he did, Gary led the Kansas program by example when he became State Commissioner in 1990 until he retired from that position in 2009.  Gary was inducted into the Hall of Fame September 20, 2003 at Emporia, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information on Gary Kuntz.

LaVerne Marks (1917-1989)

LaVerne Marks was one of the three charter members of the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame, which was established in 1988 to honor those people who made significant strides in developing or contributing to the growth of Babe Ruth Baseball in Kansas or as an exemplary role model for Babe Ruth Baseball.  Marks, a Bluff City Postmaster, worked 21 years in every phase of the program from District Director to the first 16-18 Year Old Director in the state.  Induction ceremonies were held in July, 1988.  Click on the picture for more information on Laverne Marks.

Verne Moore (1935-2009)

Verne Moore’s introduction to Babe Ruth baseball came through  his sons.  After the exposure of attending State Tournaments and Regional Tournaments they participated in, Verne became more involved signing on as a coach.  His Babe Ruth experience at the early post season tournaments convinced Verne that Babe Ruth Baseball was the best program available and he never looked back.  He served as District 6 Commissioner, Kansas Developmental Commissioner and State Commissioner.  A move to Arkansas due to his insurance business forced him to reluctantly give up the latter position and he resigned as State Commissioner in 1989.  After that, he served as Midwest Plains Region Assistant Commissioner.  Induction ceremonies for Verne were held September 19, 2009 at Wichita where his wife, Pat, sons Lynn and Steven and their families accepted his award.  Click on the picture for more informatin about Verne Moore.

Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson started his Babe Ruth career running the concession stand in Dodge City with his wife, Carolyn and from there moved up the Babe Ruth Organizational Ladder to the position he holds today--Assistant State Commissioner 14 Year-Old Division.  Jim was instrumental in orchestrating tremendous growth in the Cowboy Capital League in Dodge City.  Jim is always at the forefront in promoting the Babe Ruth program and its philosophy in Kansas in any way he can.  Induction ceremonies were held for Jim September 21, 2002 at Salina, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information about Jim Nelson.

Daryl Spear

Kansas Babe Ruth Baseball in southeast Kansas and Daryl Spear are the same thing.  He is the current District 5 Commissioner and has served in his area as coach, league officer and assistant District Commissioner until appointed as District Commissioner in 1990.  Daryl was inducted into the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame on September 30, 2000 at Emporia, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information about Daryl Spear.

Paul Unrau

Paul Unrau has been instrumental in promoting Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball in Kansas since 1979 when he was coaching 13-15 year-olds in the Moundridge Babe Ruth League.  He was named State Treasurer in 1988, Assistant State Commissioner-11 year-old division in 2003, and a year later volunteered for the 9 year-old division.  In 2006, designed the flip coin and Kansas WOW Awards and has done much of the art work for the Kansas Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program.  Induction ceremonies were held for Paul September 30, 2006 in Winfield, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information about Paul Unrau.

John Villar (1907-1999)

John Villar, also one of the “originals” in the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame, served 20 years as the State Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball.  Prior to that he was involved as a coach, District Director and assistant State Director.  John retired from both his job in the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office (1976) and Babe Ruth Baseball (1987), and passed away October 6, 1999.  While involved, he helped make Kansas Babe Ruth Baseball a model for programs all over the country and led by example.  Induction ceremonies were held in July, 1988.  Click on the Picture for more information about John Villar.

Bob Willis

A catalyst for youth involvement...a promoter of people...organized and hard working...passionate about the game of baseball.  This is but the beginning of characteristics attributed to Bob Willis.  A district commissioner in the state of Kansas must know his district’s potential; potential as it relates to possible youth baseball involvement.  He must be a leader and motivator of volunteers and a respected citizen of that district.  That is Bob Willis, Kansas District III Commissioner.  Induction ceremonies were held for Bob September 10, 2005 in Salina, Kansas.  Click on the picture for more information about Bob Willis.