Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 92, Decatur, Adams County, 18 April 1963 — Page 9

SPECIAL SECTION

VOL. LXI NO. 92.

Wildcat Baseball “Pitchout” Tonight

Founder Os Wildcat League Explains Purpose Os Program Dale W. McMillen, Sr. TA X ;

It took • common incident on a beautiful spring day to crystalize the idea' of the Wildcat League in the mind of its founder, Dale W. McMillen, Sr.,' who started the Central Soya Company in Decatur three decades ago. The incident was a simple one. “Mr. Mac”, as he is known to his many Decatur friends, was driving through a park, and saw a baseball game. He stopped, and inquired what was going on. Teams were being chosen for the season. Why Unhappy But, to Mr. Mac’s dismay, most of the boys did not seem happy. ’ He inquired again. It was true , — nearly 60% of the boys would 1 not make the team! Many went ' home crying, their hopes shattered. They had been rejected j "Mr. Mac” thought and thought. ‘ He remembered the many people he had worked with Some of them had invisable scars on their brains, ingrained by rejection and ‘ injustices in their childhood — rejections like not making the team. He remembered one particular man, who was brilliant and capable. But an “invisable scar”, j a rejection, “not making the j team” had left him so troubled , that he took to alcohol, and dope, and died penniless in pain and ■ misery. “Everybody Plays 5 ’ Yes, “Mr. Mac” decided, what , this world needs is a team where everybody makes the team, and everybody plays. No need for ] boys to cry themselves to sleep , because they are rejected. And - so the Wildcat League was born i — every boy gets to play in every ( game. Professionals help hi m develop the baseball skillls, and social skills, and ability, to adjust ■ not only to the baseball "team", , but to the “team” of life! , But helping others was not new j to “Mr. Mac”. While amassing , a fortune several times over, he has steadfastly devoted a large ( part of his time and money to . charitable works. A decade ago . he offered to help Decatur jieople J raise the money to build a com- j munity center, and did, with a substantial donation, matched by the , hard work of many Decatur people ] to collect money from the citizens . of the city. Even before that, on j Aug. 26, 1939, he formed the Me- . Millen Home Building Corpora- , tion. This enabled more than 100 . employes to build a home of their own selection in Decatur at a time , when it was quite unusual for a ; worker to be able to afford such , a luxury. 1 In 1938 Mr. and Mrs. Mac gave i McMillen Park to Fort Wayne. i McMillen Foundation In 1940, the McMillen founda-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

tion was established with $1 million Central Soya stock as capital, to finance welfare and recreational activities. In 1961, “Mr. Mac” was named honorary chairman to raise $lO million for Indiana Technical College; he and others contributed $1 million to kick off the fund raising campaign. The first building in Indiana Tech’s five-year program was named the McMillen Library in 1961. Through the McMillen Foundation, t “Mr. Mac” provided for additional facilities at Girl Scout Camp Agnes S. McMillen to fill the heed for expanded year-round camping facilities. “Mr. Mac” has lived to see Central Soya Company sales exceed 2,000 times the value of the original incorporation, $125,000. Beat Your Record The code of, the gentleman who started the Wildcat League has long been, “This day I will beat my own record”—a worthy challenge for Decatur “Wildcatters.” The evidence that “Mr. Mac” believes and practices community service can be found in the area’s parks, hospitals, churches, colleges, Scout Camps, YMCA and YWCA facilities. He believes in youth, and in adequate recreational opportunities for them, so that they can develop their personalities as good citizens capable to meet the future. Widely Recognized In Fort Wayne, the Wildcat Baseball League is made possible by grants from the McMillen Foundation. Assisting the foundation with administering the league is the Wildcat League Advisory Board. Wildcat baseball has been widely recognized. Parade Magazine, in May of last year, devoted the cover and two pages to it; Christian Science Monitor has devoted' at least three stories to it, and to the founding idea; Dr. George W. Crane, in his popular column, “The Worry Clinic” has twice devoted his column to Wildcat League play, its founding, and how it helps children develop security. In 1959, the Silver anniversary of Central Soya was celebrated here in Decatur with a large and well-attended dinner for Mac”, who responded with a fine speech memorializing' the occasion. Gibson City, 111., put on a similar celebration. On January 27, 1960, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, “Mr. Mac” was again called to Decatur. At that time the local plant honored him for his eight decades of life. He wa| 54 when he started Central Soya, a time in life when many are thinking of retirement and slowing down.

■I W WHI REMINISCING ABOUT '3o's in Decatur are D. W. McMillen, left, founder of Central Soya, and one of his early employes and friends. Jack Neering, of Decatur, in a picture taken several years ago during a visit by "Mr. Mac" to Decatur. A group of loyal friends helped "Mr. Mac" get Central Sugar and Central Soya started in Decatur, and he frequently confers with them. , v I HONORED FREQUENTLY, Wildcat League founder D W. McMillen, Sr., right, is shown here with Decatur plant manager Tom H. Allwein as he is presented with a clock during a ceremony several years ago. "Mr. Mac" counts the founding of the McMillen homes project Jn. DecqtuD. which built and sold at low cost to workers in the Decatur plant a large number of homes, dmong the greatest achievements of his career, ranking in importance with the Wildcat League itself.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, April 18,1963.

Decatur League Officers V, lMu X. C.rt A. Braun <““« ** J| k B ujy' t :■ W Arthur Heimann /?'*.■■'■■" j *~X,>».'■"■ The Thiatur Wildcat League Association, organized last week, \ — - - - chartered Tuesday, and prime i < Warrea iffiMßMer tjapvers intonight’s pregrtum, have as their next big task organizing the professional staff for the De-

catui- Wildcat League, and financing the program. Carl A. Braun, prominent Decatur insurance man, Boy Scout Leader, and with experience in many city fund drives, heads the new Wildcat league as commissioner and chairman of the board. Braun stated that the league is now investigating incorporation, and is moving forward to present the Wildcat League to Decatur Citizens this June. Gaunt Deputy Commissioner Assisting Braun is Kenneth Gaunt, personnel director of the , Decatur General Electric plant, I and former Decatur community fund head. Gaunt has been active jin Decatur city affairs and in sports activities. Warren Druetzler, personnel manager at the Decatur Central I Soya plant, and a former Olympic athlete, is secretary of the association, and has played a key part in the organization of the Decatur Wildcat League. Druetzler has served as liaison between the Fort Wayne headquarters and the Decatur people interested in the | league. Heimann Treasurer Rounding out the executive committee is the treasurer, Arthur Heimann, of the First State Bank of Decatur. Heimann will handle the association’s finances through his position at the bank. The board, which now includes 11 members, will administer the program with as few formal meetings as possible. Other Members Members include Deane T. Dorwin, former Decatur high school baseball coach, and presently Decatur high school guidance director. Dorwin has also headed the Decatur community fund, and is familiar with baseball,. with the school youth, and with fund raising techniques problems and administration. Bill Kurnle, of Leland Smith Insurance Co., is another board member, and he has had many years’ experience in Little and Pony league play, in baseball in general, and in Decatur civic affairs. Ferris Bower, Decatur jeweler and active retail association member, Bill Zoss, Decatur BuickChevrolet dealer, Norman Steury, president of the Decatur Lions Club and Decatur industrialist with the Decatur Industries, Inc., Dick Heller, Jr., newspaperman and publicity chairman. Wayne Roahrig, of Indiana-Michigan Electric Co., and an active Jaycee, round out the local committee at the present time. Applications will be available in the near future for the professional’ jobs connected with the Wildcat League, Braun stated.

Large Crowd Expected At Community Center For Baseball Program

WILDCAT PITCHOUT Decatur Youth & Community Center 6:30 p. m„ Thursday, April 18, 1963 PROGRAM Master of Ceremonies Mayor Donald F. Gage Invocation Rev. Wm. C. Feller Zion United Church of Christ Dinner Decatur Community Center Terry Coonan Wildcat League Movie Introduction of Guestsby Mayor Gage Introduction of Founder Dale W. McMillen, Sr. The Wildcat Pitchoutl2 Wildcats Summation of Program Carl A. Braun Benediction . - Rev. Wm. C. Fetter Bower, Coonan Directing WorldwideWildat EtEi Bill Bower Terry Coonan

A former professional baseball player and a former high school athletic director actively guide the destiny of the Wildcat League on an international basis. William R. Bower, former South Side, Michigan State and Chicago Cub player, is president of the Wildcat Baseball league and vicepresident and treasurer of the Wildcat Recreation Association. Terry Coonan, former athletic director, teacher and coach at Fort Wayne Central Catholic high school, is league commissioner, serving the program full time. South Side Graduate A 1948 graduate of Fort Wayne South Side high school, Bower was on the all-city basketball team in 1948. At Michigan State, he earned six letters, three each in bas- . ketball and baseball, was named most valuable player in basketball his senior year, and captain of the baseball team. For two years he played professional baseball in the Chicago Cub organization, and then played two years of semi-pro ball with Allen Dairy in Fort Wayne; in 1956 this team won the national semi-pro championship and the global world’s championship. With Central Soya From 1954-57, Bower was an accountant with the Central Soya Co., and from 1957-60, he was the company’s Minneapolis office manager. In 1961 he was named vicepresident and treasurer of Growth Industries, Inc., in Fort Wayne. Since 1962, when the Wildcat League was formed, Bower has been closely associated with it, and is now president of the league. New York Native Coonan is a native of New- ; burgh, N.Y., where he attended the public schools and was gradu- 1

ated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1938. He participated in baseball, football and basketball while in high school, played semipro baseball with Newburgh teams in the Hudson Valley League and independent basketball after high school graduation, and bowled during the winter months. He was employed as adult supervisor of the city’s recreation activities before he attended college. Coonan came to Indiana university to take his college training, receiving his B.S in physical education, and his M.S. in recreation. He participated in baseball and intramural sports at IU, and was quite active on campus, * \ Huntertown, CC Coach Following his graduation, he taught and coached at Huntertown tor six years, directing the athletic and intramural programs as 'well. HF coached baseball and track, and won three county basketball championships as well. He then taught and coached eight years at Central Catholic high school, and was elevated to athletic director the last two years. While coaching basketball, his team won the first city championship in the school’s history. During the past 'ten summers, he worked in various boys’ baseball programs and recreation work, including the Zollner Knothole program, city light boys baseball program, and Wildcat League at city utilities park. He is now serving as full time league commissioner. Both men were active in helping Decatur set up its Wildcat League program, Bower issuing the charter Tuesday, and Coonan showing the league movie this evening, and formerly to the Optimists and Jaycees.

SPECIAL SECTION

SEVEN CENTS

A crowd of some 400 Decatur civic leaders, fathers and sons, and interested visitors are expected this evening for the “pitch out" of the Decatur Wildcat League, Carl A. Braun, commissioner announced today. Purpose of the meeting is to introduce the substance and meaning of Wildcat League play to the people of Decatur. Philosophy of Wildcat League Any boy within the age group who wants to play , and whose parents want him to play shall be assigned to a team and given the opportunity to play in every game. “Everybody makes the team” is the motto of the Wildcat League. Efforts will be made to select teams of equal skill. The director yet to be chosen himself, will select the teams after tryouts. At each game all players who appear on time shall play. No Boundaries There are no boundaries or zones for the league —a boy may play at any Wildcat site, even in Fort Wayne, but he is encouraged to play at the site nearest his home. In addition to providing opportunities to play baseball, instructions on techniques, and rules of baseball shall be provided by the director during the instructional period as a regular-schedul-UdpartoLtiM .program. ’ I Os great concern to the director I shall be the creation of a whole- | some atmosphere for the players so that correct attitudes, habits, language usage, and sportsmanship may be a direct outcome of their participation in this program. It is the desire of the Wildcat League to teach kindness, tolerance, and Christian competition at its highest. This is a daytime program, and games will not be played at any other time, except on special occas- ! ions. • A Eligibility All boys in the Decatur area within the age limits specified are eligible:-' - - . Kitty League: 8-9-10 (Must be 8 before Jan. 1; cannot be 11 years ' old on or before Aug. 11. Kat League: 11-12 (Cannot be 13 years old on or before Aug. 1). Tiger League: 13-14-15 (Cannot be 16 years old on or before Aug. ' 1). Instructional Personnel Instruction and supervision are basic to the philosophy of the Wildcat League. A director will have 1 charge of the entire program. He must be a qualified individual with ! an athletic background. A college student or outstanding high school graduating senior will assist him. Two or more junior assistants, high school students, will act as umpires, work on the diamond, etc. Each boy will purchase a Wildcat cap and shirt from the site director and they become the property of the director. The cap and shirt from the previous season may be worn if they are in good condition. (Special arrangements will be made for boys who cannot afford to buy the equipment.) Boys must wear the cap and shirt to be in “uniform” and to participate in any game, practice or instruction al period. National baseball association rules will apply except as previously indicated, to make special allowance for the smaller, less experienced boys. Wildcat Oath I pledge to conduct myself in a true sportsmanlike manner, I shall not in any way cause damage to equipment, parks, school property, or any other property of any description. I shall regularly attend church and/or Sunday School of my choice. I shall do my best — ALWAYS. My conduct shall always be in a manner acceptable to fny parents, my friends, school authorities, civil authorities, and to myself. I shall show respect for all people regardless of their age, race, religion, or beliefs.