Seventy Years Strong
While National Little League was founded in 1939, it was 17 more years before Franklin started its own Little League program. Little League Baseball is the largest organized youth sports program in the world. The nonprofit organization currently has more than 180,000 teams and holds the motto, “Character, Courage, and Loyalty.”
Franklin Little League was founded in July 1956 by LeRoy Heminger, Harry Gaddis, Noble Tharp, and Delbert and Denzil Shireman, who were among those instrumental in forming the league. Newspaper archives from The Franklin Evening Star recorded a meeting held at the Indiana Masonic Home to introduce the Little League program to key community members interested in forming a Franklin league. Franklin Elks Lodge #1818 also supported the program.
On June 9, 1956, the first Little League parade was held to kick off the opening season. More than 25 cars, trucks and station wagons traveled from the high school — then located where the current Boys & Girls Club stands — to the fairgrounds, where a ceremony marked the official opening of Franklin’s first Little League season. The parade consisted of more than 200 boys, officials from the city, county and Little League, beauty queens entered in the Miss Universe contest, a fire engine, the color guard and Western movie actor Winston Wayne.
LeRoy Heminger, president of Little League, spoke briefly about the program and its ideals. After a flag-raising ceremony, the first game was held between the Yankees and the Tigers before a capacity crowd. Mayor Jarve Alexander threw the opening pitch to Judge Robert B. Lybrook, who stood behind home plate.
For years, games were held on various ball diamonds throughout the city. Northwood Elementary School, Province Park and the Franklin Boys Club all hosted games before the city created Scott Park on the north side of Franklin. Currently, Scott Park includes five ball diamonds and a concession stand. Plans are underway to expand the park.
Chip Orner, director of Franklin Parks and Recreation, provided details of the expansion. Thirty-five acres have been purchased, extending the park north behind the Walmart store. The main entrance will be off Commerce Park Drive while maintaining the Younce Street entrance. The expansion will make the park eight times larger than it is now. Plans include eight baseball diamonds, soccer fields, pickleball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and cornhole areas. The creek that borders the north side of the current park will become a dividing line, with a pedestrian bridge connecting both sides. Restroom and concession facilities will be located on each side. Plans include adult- and youth-sized diamonds and likely turf infields with grass outfields. The park will also connect to the Greenways Trail and feature a playground and splash pad.
The land acquisition includes a pond, and the parks department is considering fishing piers as part of the expansion.
Parking currently includes 150 spaces, which has caused traffic issues with overflow parking in nearby residential areas. Improved parking plans include 800 spaces.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with diamonds opening in phases to avoid interfering with the baseball season. Completion is anticipated by 2028.
Jim Cruser, current board president of Franklin Little League, has served in various roles for 37 years. In addition to his years on the board, he has coached and umpired countless games.
“We are here for the kids. Always have been, always will be,” Cruser says.
Cruser says Franklin Little League is the least expensive league in its district. Registration costs are $90 per child for T-ball and $100 for other leagues. Challenger League is free. Baseball teams ages 4-16 make up the T-ball and Little League divisions, while Big League teams for ages 17-20 are travel teams run through the Little League program. Challenger League is an adaptive program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
Cruser says Franklin Little League has experienced success both through team achievements and individuals who advanced to professional levels. In 1966, Franklin’s All-Star team of 11- and 12-year-olds advanced to the Indiana Little League championship game, losing in the semifinal to Kokomo.
“It was a great experience for a group of 12-year-old boys from the Franklin area. We went to Anderson the day before the game and were paired with Little League families from Anderson and spent the night in their homes. Many memories that will never be forgotten,” recalls Vic Spicer, a team member.
Bob Heuchan also reflected on that 1966 team. As a member of the All-Star team that made the final four, he says they earned six wins and it was an unforgettable experience. Many members of that team still live in the area.
“We all share memories of Coach (Luther) Wrenn’s great knowledge of baseball, Luke and Barney pitching, the bus rides on the ‘Big Goose’ — the blue-painted Boys Club bus — post-victory trips to Burger Chef, being shown live on Channel 6, beating Orchard, ‘Hanky Panky,’ and the wisdom and antics of Coach (Bill) Doss,” Heuchan recalls.
As strong as the 1966 team was, Heuchan says the 1965 team may have been the best Franklin ever had. That team narrowly missed making the final four, losing to a talented Frederick Douglass team led by a future Chicago White Sox pitcher.
Franklin’s roster included 11-year-old Luke Wrenn and power hitters Tony Goff, Roger Fanon and Bob McMillin, who combined for more than 30 home runs during the regular season, Heuchan says. Heuchan has spent his lifetime in Franklin Little League — as a 1966 All-Star, coach and now a grandfather watching his grandsons play.
Other key years for FLL include 2012 and 2014, when the Senior Boys won district championships; 2017, when the Minor Boys won district; and 2025, when the Senior Boys won another district championship.
Noel Heminger, Franklin resident and former Franklin Community High School athletic director, fondly recalls his time with FLL.
“Great memories and a great group of guys. Perhaps that is why I continued playing in college as well as coaching,” Heminger says.
Heminger played FLL in the early 1960s, continued through high school and at Eastern Illinois University. He served as head coach at FCHS from 1975-95 and was also a scout for the Kansas City Royals. His father, LeRoy Heminger, founded FLL.
Notable standouts who began their baseball journeys with FLL include Randy Phillips, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1966 and played as a relief pitcher in the minor leagues.
Brian McMillin played in the Minnesota Twins minor league system from 1998-2001, reaching the Class A level before transitioning into coaching and instructional roles.
In 2023, FCHS standout Max Clark was selected by the Detroit Tigers. Clark is recognized for his exceptional talent and for inspiring young players in the Franklin community.
Cruser says Franklin Little League is preparing for Opening Day and its Homecoming Celebration. He hopes many alumni will attend to celebrate the league’s 70th anniversary. Opening Day will take place April 18 at 10 a.m. at Scott Park, and the ceremony will be open to the public. The celebration will include a flag ceremony and announcements for Player of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Coach of the Year. Alumni will have opportunities to share memories and stories. Food trucks, bounce houses and a dunk tank will be featured.
Jeff Mercer Jr., Indiana University’s baseball coach, will throw the first pitch. Mercer is a former FLL player and FCHS standout.
Cruser says he is proud to have coached Mercer and Clark during their Little League years. He emphasized learning the game, playing by the rules and maintaining an “It’s just a game” mentality.
Cruser is seeking additional memories and historical information about Franklin Little League. Those memories may be emailed to jcruser.hbs@gmail.com.
