Here are short Bios of the new inductees (We will try to have powerpoint presentations shortly):

Gordy Bauer, Caledonia

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Gordy began his baseball career when he played baseball at Loretto High School in Caledonia; he graduated in 1955. He played baseball for the Caledonia town team and managed the team for a number of years. As a player his finest hour came in the1964 State Amateur Tournament in Brownton when Caledonia played seven games in eight days. Gordy pitched three wins as a starter, he earned a win in relief and a save in one game. As a result he was named the tournament MVP. Gordy has supported Legion and youth baseball in Caledonia. Gordy and his wife Wanda have seven children and sixteen grandchildren who have played baseball and softball. Gordy is an active member and leader of St.Mary’s Catholic Church.

Dave Bell, Cold Spring

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Dave began his baseball career when he played baseball at St. Boniface High School in Cold Spring; he graduated in 1956. Dave played amateur baseball for the Cold Spring Springers from 1954-1977; he coached the team from 1978-1983. Dave has umpired from 1983-2008 and is still umpiring. During this sixty-year career he appeared in twenty state tournaments as a player with state championships in 1955,1973, and 1981. He also has been in fifteen state tournaments as an umpire. Dave has helped maintain the Cold Spring ballpark for many years. Dave now lives in Greenwald and has been active in the community with the Knights of Columbus and the Lions, and St. Andrew’s Church. He has freely given his time to help youth baseball as a coach and fundraiser.

John Breunig, Jordan

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John began his baseball career as a player in the summer recreation baseball program in Jordan. He has coached a variety of youth baseball teams in Jordan and also umpired youth baseball. He has been the manager of the Jordan “Brewers” and is the current general manager of the Jordan “Brewers.” He is the field maintenance manager of the Jordan baseball field. In 1955 he was named the Groundskeeper of the year. He also serves as a scorekeeper, scoreboard operator, concession stand worker, and ticket taker.

In both 1992 and 2004 John was the co-chairman of the Jordan/Bell Plaine State Tournament. John is involved in the community as a Confirmation mentor, a bus driver, a religion teacher, and lector at St. John’s Catholic Church.

Bob Hendrickson, Starbuck

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Bob began his baseball career as a player at Benson High School; he graduated in 1972; he went on to play at the University of Minnesota Morris. Bob played amateur baseball for the Benson Chiefs from 1972-1980 and the Starbuck Stars in 1981 as a player and a player manager from 1982-2004. Currently he is a coach, business manager, and fund raiser for the Starbuck Stars. He has also served as president of the Pomme de terre League from 1984-2003. Bob has coached American Legion, VFW and Little League baseball; he has been a volunteer coach for elementary football, junior high girls basketball and elementary boys basketball. Bob has served as treasures of West Zion Lutheran Church; he is a 4-H leader in Pope County and a member of the Minnesota Cattleman’s Association.

Verne Radloff, Essig

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Verne began his baseball career as a player at New Ulm High School; he graduated in 1955. Verne played amateur baseball for Essig from 1952-1955 and 1959-1983. He also played for New Ulm. He coached the Essig team from 1985-1988 and has also coached softball. He has been the region 2C commissioner from 1995-2006 as well as a high school softball umpire from 2002-2006. Verne helped with the care and grounds keeping of the ballpark. Verne has extensive community service; he has served on the board of directors of the Essig baseball team, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Mankato Vo-Tech Agribuisness, Minnesota Soybean Growers, Brown/West Nicollet American Red Cross and the Milford Township Board.

Todd Schmidtke, Blue Earth

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Todd began his baseball career as a player at St. James High School where they won the State Class A championship in 1979; he was an all-state player when he graduated in 1979; he went on to play college baseball at Waldorf and Mankato State. Todd played amateur baseball for St. James 1977-1981, Mankato Cubs 1982-1985, Minnesota Lake Royals from 1986-1999 and the Blue Earth Pirates from 2000 to the present. He is the manager of the Blue Earth Pirates and has led them to State Class C Championships in 2004 and 2006. Todd has organized the fund raising and scheduling for many Blue Earth summer teams. Todd is the high school coach at Blue Earth and has led his teams to three state tournament appearances. He is a Deacon in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Blue Earth and a member of Ducks Unlimited.

For more information call Bob Karn at 320-252-8227 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The Hall of Fame website is www.mnamateurbaseballhof.com.