Jim and Bonnie Winder have been involved with the West End Babe Ruth League for more than 40 years. Perhaps no two people have been as dedicated to that league and Babe Ruth baseball in general as Jim and Bonnie. Their hard work and dedication will be recognized nationally later this year when they are inducted into the National Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame. The honor was voted on by the International Board of Directors of Babe Ruth.
It is only fitting that Jim and Bonnie were voted in as a team because they have worked with dedication and spirit hand in glove with each other for the betterment of the West End Babe Ruth League. Since becoming involved in Babe Ruth baseball in 1982, the two have served in various capacities such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, manager, coach, scorekeeper, groundskeeper, purchasing agent, and perhaps yes, even chief bottle washer. Jim has also served as District 8 Commissioner. One of the league’s playing fields has even been named in their honor.
The Winders are no strangers to Halls of Fame. They were inducted into the Middle Atlantic Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2004.
From Babe Ruth International, “It goes without saying that an organization is only as good as its people. The continuity created by the Winders has provided the foundation for the West End Babe Ruth League. During Jim and Bonnie’s tenure, approximately 2,500 young men and women have participated in the league, learning many valuable life lessons, not just on the baseball field, but on the field of life.”
Webb Weekly talked with the Winders about their newest honor.
“It’s very hard to talk about your self, so here are some random thoughts.
“We are very humbled and appreciative of the honor. It is our plan to make it to 50 years,” Jim and Bonnie Winder stated.
“A little history of how we got started. Back in 1982, I got a call from my father; he wanted to know if I knew anything about baseball because he agreed to manage my younger brother’s team. I played baseball day and night in my youth — I said yes. I joined the board that first year and was selected to manage an all-star team. Bonnie volunteered at the concession stand, and after a few years, I became president, and Bonnie became league secretary/treasurer.”
Jim continued, “We have never had a son in the league. The boys from that first year are turning 56 this year; some of their sons are coaching in the league now.
“Over the years, I am proud to say we changed some of the players’ futures by keeping them off the street by not only learning baseball but also learning respect, manners, and team play.
“I meet with every team and their parents each spring and go over league policies and what will not be tolerated by both the players and parents.
“One of the rewards for being involved is we travel with our tournament teams to regionals, and we have been to nine Babe Ruth World Series. We have been to Utah, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. We both still work, so these tournaments are our vacations.
“We run West End with very few meetings and keep politics out of our league. I thank my dedicated board members who have been with us for 20 years and more. Tom Marnon Jr., Dale Diermyer, Mark Rogers, George Lepley, Scott Niklaus, Dave Cipriani and Jeff Heinzelman.”
According to Babe Ruth International, “Babe Ruth League, Inc. has more than just top of the line competition. It has a legacy stacked with exceptional individuals who have given unselfishly of their time and resources to provide all young athletes with an enjoyable, healthy, and educational experience. Jim and Bonnie Winder are included in that list of exceptional individuals.
“Jim and Bonnie Winder have been elected as a team because they have served together as a team, dedicating 41 years of volunteerism to the West End Babe Ruth League and the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Leagues.”
Babe Ruth League, Inc. is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to developing better citizens by providing properly supervised baseball and softball competition for 4 through 18-year-old players. It is the basic intent of the Babe Ruth League that every player who has a desire to play the sport is given the opportunity to participate and have fun.
The Babe Ruth League International Hall of Fame was established in 1968 to honor those persons and organizations who have played a vital role in the development of the baseball and softball programs. Each individual or organization, upon induction, receives the coveted Hall of Fame Plaque and is enshrined on the walls at Babe Ruth League Headquarters. Induction into the Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame is a rather rare honor. In its history, there have been millions of players and volunteers, yet there are only approximately 300 members in the Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame.
