Norwalk Baseball Alumni Association

Lefty Grove

Founding and Early Years (1956–1960)

The League started in 1956 as the Norwalk Pre-Teen League, founded by the Norwalk Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) with help from the City Recreation Department. It began with six teams playing on McGuan Field, while a permanent field was developed on V.F.W. Post 2743 property. The league quickly grew, adding two more teams.

The New Field and Dedication

The new V.F.W. field officially opened on June 2, 1957, with a well-attended event featuring baseball legend Bob Feller. This field was built on the site of the former Keller Field, which hosted some Negro League games in the late 30s and early 40s.

Becoming the Lefty Grove League

The Jaycees handed over operation in 1960. On May 8, 1962, the organization was officially named the Lefty Grove Baseball League, Inc., in honor of Hall of Famer Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove, who had retired to Norwalk. The name was chosen to honor Grove, who attended annual Awards Dinners and signed autographs.

Expansion and Traditions

• Exchange Games (1963): The league started an annual exchange All-Star series with Detroit’s Barney McCoskey League. This popular tradition, which included a large banquet, ran until 1977 when it was discontinued due to rising costs.
• Divisions and Fields (1965): The league expanded into two divisions: the Senior Division (ages 11-12) played on the new Diamond No. 2, and the Junior Division (ages 9-10) remained on Diamond No. 1.
• Sponsorship: Schild’s IGA store was the only sponsor to continuously support a team from the league’s beginning.
• Teener Division: The V.F.W. started the Teener League (ages 13+) in 1963, which later became the Teener Division of the Lefty Grove League in 1979.
• There have been some changes to division names and ages since.

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