The Little League history excerpts from 1954 - are mostly based on a series of articles from the Brunswick Citizen written by Garel Hauver. 

It was 1951 and Frederick became the first County town to organize a Little League baseball league. In 1953, Thurmont became the second County town to create a Little League organization and the seeds for the Maryland District II were sown.

1954, Brunswick Railroader Little League plays inaugural season

In 1954, Brunswick became the third town to start playing regular season Little League games, joining Frederick (which later became Frederick National) and Thurmont. The four original teams were the Bears, Cubs, Lions, and Tigers.

Picture from the first game ever played in the BRLL

Back in the old days.....

We need your help in identifying the players in this photo sent in by Ray Danner Sr. He said "I was six years old at the time and I don't remember much about this team. I do know it was a Brunswick sponsored team and the picture was taken at possibly Scheer Stadium. My uncle Ray Danner was the coach. The hand written date on the back of the picture is 1951-52, but 2 players in the photo, Hollis Langley and Garland Cooper believe it is a minor league team in 1954 or 1955.

Unknow BRLL team from the 50's

Front row from left: Herman Willis, Hollis Langley

Middle row from left: Larry Potts, Ray 'Butch' Danner, Woody Bohrer, Garland Cooper

Back row from left: Cameron Kehne, Herdie Monroe?, John Giles?, ?, Jerry Feaster, Jimmy Hatcher

Help us solve the mystery! Memories fade, so most of these names can't be confirmed at this time. If you can help identify or confirm who was on this team and what was it's origin, please contact Drew Hawesr at [email protected].

1955, Brunswick plays in first District tournament

The first Brunswick Railrroader All-Star team was managed by Tigers manager Marvin E. Younkins and the coach was Lee 'Babo' Merriman. The players on the first All-Star team were from the Tigers - James 'Bill' Cooper, Jerry Feaster, Wayne Hawes and James Stonesifer. Lions (in the beginning, the team out of Point of Rocks) - Marshall Athey, Francis "Eddie" Green, and Max Whitehead. Bears - Denny Albert, Gary Itnyre and Ronald Miller. Cubs - Richard Crampton, Herbert Deener, George 'Bugsy' Hawes and Grover 'Chris' Shaff.  

BRUNSWICK 8  FREDERICK (NATIONAL) 3

In first round District play in '55 the new league surprised Frederick as Jerry Feaster blanked the city club over the final five innings in an 8 to 3 win for the local team. Meanwhile, Thurmont downed Sykesville 1-0. (Sykesville had joined the District in '55 also).

THURMONT 4  BRUNSWICK 3

Brunswick and Thurmont met in a second round District game with the northern county team edging the locals 4-3. The winning run scored off a sixth inning wild pitch. 

1956, Brunswick beaten in second round of Districts 

The fourth County area to form a Little League became Frederick American. Frederick's original league now became the Frederick National league. The two Frederick teams met in the first round of the Districts, and the Nationals won easily 7-0 behind the 3 hit pitching of Eddie Storks. Meanwhile .....

BRUNSWICK 3  THURMONT 1 

Brunswick propelled a first inning two run George 'Bugsy' Hawes home run into a 3 to 1 victory over Thurmont. However, Thurmont made noise very late in the contest, getting a couple runners on base, requiring manager Marvin Younkins to do something he really didn't want to do, change pitchers. Younkins reluctantly replaced Jerry Feaster with Wayne Hawes. Hawes had been slated to pitch in the next game if Brunswick could get by Thurmont. With 2 out, Hawes came to the hill and made but one pitch that got a ground ball hit the way of second sacker Eddie Green. Green made the play to first base for the final out as the Railroaders claimed victory.

SYKESVILLE 8  BRUNSWICK 3 

The local team was eliminated from tournament play next time out by Sykesville 8-3. George 'Bugsy' Hawes started on the mound for the Railroaders. Frederick National went on to win the Districts and advanced all the way to regional play in Lakewood, NJ. There they fell to Delaware Township 11 to 4. Marvin E. Younkins was the Railroader All-Star manager in '56, and the coach was Frank Danner.   

1957, BRLL knocked out in first round

Emmitsburg joined the Little League fever gripping Frederick County by becoming the fifth area town to form a youth baseball program.

FREDERICK NATIONAL 7  BRUNSWICK 0

In District play Frederick National shut out Brunswick 7-0 on a John Hammond 3-hitter. Marvin E. Younkins skippered the Brunswick Team. Thurmont edged Emmitsburg 4-3 in a 10-inning game.The Nationals and Thurmont met for the District title with Frederick winning 11-0. Frederick went on to win the State flag by beating Easton in the championship game 18-3. Playing in the regionals the National League got a 6 to 1 win over Newark, NJ. The City league was then ousted by Bristol, VA 13-10.    

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Frederick (District 1)
At Staley Stadium

Tournament Results:

Semifinal Round:
Easton 3, Stembridge 2

Championship Game:
Frederick National 18, Easton 3 (TITLE)

1957 All Star Team

Back row from left: Manager Marvin Younkins, Doug Keller, Kenny Joy, Alan Crowe, Tom Sullivan, Lindy Spurrier, Gary Bower, Melvin Taylor, and Coach Donald Myers

Front row from left: Ray "Butch" Danner, George "Bugsey" Hawes, John Cooper, Gary Price, Richard "Skeeter" Hahn, Garland Cooper, and George Moss.

Left to right kneeling      Ken Porter, Steve Spurrier, Steve Snoots, dog – unknown, John Foster, Dick Lewis, Denny Moore (looking up), Dave Stouts(behind bat), Freddy Moore, Jr, Fred Moore Sr. (with bat). John Taulton,(right of Fred Moore, Sr.), Rick Paridis, Tommy Dixon, Charlie Smith (in catching gear)

Standing Left to Right     Bill Margrabe, unknown, Kenny McLain, Donnie Hill, Jackie Merriman, Russell Lancaster, Tom Lake, Jr., Steve Cox, Steve Garrott (right of Fred Moore Sr., Jimmy McKimmey,unknown, Gary Carter, Paul Taylor, Jamie Bryan, John McMurry.

There are 2 unknowns.  The unknown between Bill Margrabe and Kenny McLain lived beside the City Park across from the tennis courts.  The other unknown lived on the West end I believe.

Response from Charlie Smith on 03/18/2013. 

1958, Roaders advance to District title game, then lose heartbreaker, 2-1

BRUNSWICK 2  FREDERICK AMERICAN 1 

Despite getting only a bunt single from Larry Potts, Brunswick edged Frederick American 2-1 in opening round District action. Westminister gave the Nationals but one hit and blanked them 4-0 and Emmitsburg won over Thurmont 4-2.

BRUNSWICK 9  EMMITSBURG 5 (8 INNINGS) 

Brunswick knocked off Emmitsburg 9-5 in eight innings.

WESTMINSTER 2  BRUNSWICK 1 (8 INNINGS)

The Railroaders lost a heartbreaker 2-1 to Westminister in the District championship game. Westminister's winning tally scored on a fielding error in the eigth inning. Big Gus Reynolds and Garland Cooper were the Brunswick pitchers. The locals were managed by Clyde "Red" Hawes in '58 and coached by George Merriman. Westminister's first baseman Jim Spencer would go on to play major league baseball.  

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Easton (District 6)

Tournament Results:

Quarterfinal Round:
Exmore (Virginia) 3, Havre de Grace 0
Brooklyn Park 5, Parkville 3

Semifinal Round:
Westminster 3, Hagerstown American 0
Brooklyn Park 2, Exmore (Virginia) 0

Championship Game:
Brooklyn Park d. Westminster (TITLE)

1958 Team & Individual Pictures

1959, after first round bye, Brunswick eliminated 6-3 

FREDERICK NATIONAL 6  BRUNSWICK 3 

After receiving an opening round bye Brunswick fell to Frederick National 6 to 3 as the City league was led by Jack Hart's three-run homer. Frederick was then knocked out of District play in a 2 to 1 loss to Sykesville.

George Merriman piloted the '59 Brunswick Little League All-Stars and Donald Myers was the coach..   

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Brooklyn Park (District 4)

NOTE: Maryland District 3 was declared ineligible for the international tournament because it started tournament play too early (prior to July 23) and used a double-elimination format. Stembridge (Baltimore) defeated Eastwood (Baltimore) 4-3 in the District 3 championship game.

NOTE: Maryland District 5 did not compete in the international tournament in 1959 when its request to use a double-elimination format was denied. When this request was denied, local officials elected to hold a district tournament outside of the sanctioned international tournament. Edgewood defeated Rising Sun three games to none in a best-of-five championship series that pitted the Hartford County and Cecil County champions against one another.

Tournament Results:

Semifinal Round:
Hagerstown American 9, Sykesville 0
East Salisbury 2, Brooklyn Park 0

Championship Game:
East Salisbury 5, Hagerstown American 4 (8 innings; TITLE)