Lakers History

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Lakers History
1987-1990
1991-1993
1994-1997
1998-2000
2001-Present

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The Lakers Babe Ruth Baseball team history can only be traced back to the late 80's. Because it was in 1988 when Coach Billy began playing on the Lakers. In 1989, current Babe Ruth President Doug Brookes joined the team. And in 1990, current Manager, Bill Wingren became the teams coach. From 1986-1988, the team was managed by Joe Rossi, who's son Joe played on the team. And from somewhere in the mid-80's until 1990, Bill Lanfrank was a coach for the team. Doug Brookes, former president of Babe Ruth and father of current president Doug Brookes, was also a coach for 10 years. In 2000 Coach Billy Wingren re-joined the team, this time as a coach. In 2011, Coach Billy decided to step down from coaching to spend more time with his family. Coach Joe DeRose and Coach Phil Lisa took over in 2011 and have been a solid presence. There have been a great deal of players from the Lakers who have gone on to excellent careers in baseball.

Many people ask why our team name is the only one that is not named after an existing professional team, like all of the other teams, currently. When Bill Wingren took over the team in 1990, the teams were sponsored by local businesses and had all kinds of names. The North Stars, The Flyers, The Bombers, The Pirates, to name a few. And of course, the Lakers. Our uniforms were very different then (see the photo section). We were sponsored by Rockaway Mall Exxon and our uniforms were baby blue. We had mesh hats with a felt "L" on them. Eventually in the early 90's, the teams were not sponsored anymore and the uniforms were changed. And so did the team names. As kids left the teams, so did the coaches. But on the Lakers, we have been continuously coached by the same person for all of these years. So, the team name has never changed. Although, we have been asked a number of times to change, Coach always declines. It is a tradition we hold on to.

The Lakers have had some very successful seasons in the past, winning the championships a number of times (1996, 2000, 2008, 2011). We have been in a number of championship series games and have been in the playoffs consistently throughout the years. We have had some awful seasons as well. But as Coach Bill always says, the point is to have fun and learn this great game of baseball.

What year did YOU play for the Lakers?

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Ode to the Lakers

Picture two young men behind the backstop, watching a team on a hazy
Saturday morning. Dew soaks through our sneakers as we watch the boys of
15 throw, catch, and hit. We look at one another. We both wink and
nod...it's baseball season.

A bat that was leaning against the bench falls on a helmet and creates
a cloud of dust that blocks our vision momentarily. Emerging from the
dust is a young, scruffy man. His eyebrows turn down as a smirk crawls
up his cheeks...it's the coach.

He's too focused to notice us and he immediately assumes his position
along the first base line. With his arms crossed he watches as the
player makes the banana turn towards second. Stutter stepping and then
retreating back to first, he's greeted by a pat on the head and a quick
rub of the shoulders. Their eyes meet, and thus starts the colloquium.
Coach's hands point to the dirt, as the player's hands rest on the top
of his head. A dialogue full of praise and pointers begins. "Always
hit the corner of the bag, son..." He's a teacher.

The third out is recorded after the next batter grounds out to second.
The two coaches convene on the pitcher’s mound. Like two veterans
of the same brigade alone in a tavern, they discuss strategy. Few
words are spoken because explanations aren't needed when you've lived on
the same dirt and grass for decades...they're family.

We look over at the bench and see the players huddled together. We're
immediately reminded of the photos of this band of brothers from years
past. But these are not images of an exclusive yacht club or college
fraternity. These are just young men, thrown together by a common love
of the game. It's a place where ALL can learn. It's a place where ALL
can grow. It's a place where ALL can play...it's the Lakers.

Keep the tradition alive. Bring home another pennant. We'll be
watching.

~Ben R. and John R. (Fans of Baseball and the Lakers!)