The Pioneers (Nowthen, St. Francis, Elk River)  

 

The Early Years

In their early years, the Nowthen Pioneers baseball team proved to be strong competitors.  They became known as prominent members of Minnesota's Independent Central League.  They produced numerous league championships and state tournament appearances.  The Pioneers reached the state tournament in 1937, 1938 and appeared in the state championship game in 1943. (MBA State Tournament Participation Records).  The below photos include the 1936, 1937 and 1941 team rosters.  The 1941 team photo includes George Meyers, who gave his life in service to our country. He was killed in combat during World War II just a few years later.  A memorial tribute to George Meyers was later constructed in his honor at Nowthen's ballpark.

The photograph below, on the left, includes Nowthen in a 1942 game at Soderville Field.  The photograph on the right features the 1954 Nowthen team in their annual team photograph.  Bottom Row (Left to Right): George Ott - Team Officer, Richard Danner - Bat Boy, Alvin Froehlich - Manager, Robert Nelson, and Arthur Leger.  Second Row: Edward Danner, George Gray, Ernest Goldman, Gordon Purmort, Kenneth Ott and Dorothy Schulke - Scorekeeper.  Third Row: Robert Westphal, Kenneth Skogquist, Rod Leider, James Steel and Elsworth Ott.  Back Row: August Moritz, Lester Rootes and Clarence Hoeft.

 

The Success of the 1970's

Nowthen player Kenneth Ott became the manager of the Pioneers in 1968 and the team produced a string of successful state tournament bids in the early 1970's.  Nowthen reached the state tournament in four consecutive seasons.  State tournement team photos are featured below including 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.  Ken Ott coached the Nowthen Pioneers from 1968-1975 until the team disbanded.  The team would later re-emerge in the 1980's  under Ott's leadership.

 

Featured below are a collection of articles during the early 1970's featuring the Nowthen Pioneers:

 

Some key contributors of the 1971 Pioneers team which returned to the state tournament for the first time since 1943.

 

Featuring trophy presentations during Nowthen's run in the early 1970's

 

The Photograph below (left) is of George Ott.  George was an incredible supporter of Nowthen baseball.  He served as General Manager, Team Officer, Supporter and League President.  George is photographed next to Nowthen's trophies earned over the years.  The Photograph on the right is of an award presented to George in 1973 by Manager Ken Ott. 

It reads: "In appreciation for all your devoted and dedicated service to amateur baseball and the Nowthen baseball club and to me." - Ken Ott - Manager 1973.

 

Cam Hedstrom was the ace of Nowthen's staff in the 1970's during their state tournament runs.  He was dominant on the mound, throwing over 90mph and winning over 50 games during his tenure with the team. Cam never lost a game on Nowthen's home field.

 

Joining the Eastern Minnesota League

The Nowthen Pioneers disbanded in 1975, but Ken Ott brought the Pioneers back in the 1980's by moving the team to St. Francis. He coached his three sons (Dan, Bob and Mark).  It was during this time that the Pioneers moved to the Eastern Minnesota League.  The Pioneers returned to state for the final time in 1987 (featured below).  The team hit 15 home runs in the regional tournament on their path to a state.  The team had a number of very talented players including Les Nelson, Brian Dorr, Gene Orbeck, Dan Ott, Don Holcomb, Scott Johnson, Scott Wallin, Mike Sternquist, Marco Voce & Don Voce (All named in the article below).  Also included were Anoka draftees Jim Lundeen & Tim Buhrt.

 

 

 

The Return to Nowthen

It was a dream come true for Manager Ken Ott as he successfully returned baseball to Nowthen in 1997.  Ken, along with the support of many, was able to bring baseball back to the small town for the first time since the 1975 season. This resulted in the building of Nowthen's current baseball field and the building of the communities youth baseball field. Organizations such as Hawkins Chemical, Connexus Energy, Southside Lumber, AME Ready Mix, Burns Township, Kennedy Transmission, First National Bank of Elk River and Greenberg's pitched in to help with building materials, equipment and construction for the fields.  Many individuals also generously donated time and labor during this process.  Tom Marcio used his transit to sight in the field and the neighboring youth field.  Les and Phill Thompson helped with producing braces and poles for the outfield fence.  John Mydahl donated cement blocks to construct the dugouts.  Lawrence Kreger donated the storage next to the field where Ken's wife Kathy operated the team's consession stand during home games.  Many former players and members of the community also pitched in with labor, equipment and financial support.

 

Featured in the below Article is Nowthen's field dedication ceremony.  Harold Burley was the master of ceremonies.  Harold served as a team officer for many years and played a pivotal role in helping the team raise money and procure sponsorships.

 

 

 

Nowthen had a strong team in the late 1990's.  The roster included outfielders Phil Thompson, Sean Peck, Marcus Hammersang, Brian Strom, Russel Polum and Nick Larson.  The infield included Lenny Wertz, Luke Scardigli, Jake Maros, Chris Anderson and Steve Marcio.  The catchers for the Pioneers were Jeff Horner, Brian Gerdes and Jesse Grundstrom. The team's pitching staff was led by Nick Larson, Jamie Heipel, Jake Olson and Jesse Held.  The Pioneers were very competitive and reached the Region 1C Tournament in those years, but were unable to complete a bid for the state tournament. Photographed (left) Pioneers preparing for a game in Hinckley.  Photographed (right) Steve Marcio during an at bat in Nowthen's ball park.

 

 

 

The Early 2000's

The Pioneers sported new uniforms in the early 2000's switching to red uniforms and hats with pin striped pants.  Photographed (upper left) is longtime Nowthen baseball fan and supporter Dale Ames, Steve Marcio - Veteran Player, Ken Ott - Manager, Elsworth Ott - (Ken's Brother & Former Player) Groundskeeper and Supporter, and Jim Lundeen - Former Draftee and Returning Player.  Photographed (upper right) is the 2005 Team Photo.  Photographed (bottom left) was taken in the 2005 Isanti Tournament during the National Anthem.  That game featured Steve Marcio as the starting pitcher who pitched to the catcher, his son Tyler Marcio, in his first town ball game.  Tyler was the Pioneers bat boy for many years prior to joining the team as a player.  Photographed (bottom right) is the 2006 Nowthen Pioneers squad.

 

The Pioneers remained competitive in the early 2000's era. The article below highlights the 2005 Roster.  The roster included Golden Gopher Short Stop Joe Maciej. Joe made the All Big Ten Tournament team in the spring of 2005.

 

 

 

 

Move to Elk River

In 2008, Nowthen made the move to Elk River.  They left the Eastern Minnesota League and joined the North Star League.  The team played their home games in Elk River at Hales Field and participated in class B as members of Section 8.  Ken Ott continued to coach the team in Elk River through the Pioneers final season in 2015.  Ken had an incredible tenure as a player and a manger in amateur baseball.  Beginning his playing career in 1952 and beginning his coaching career in 1968, continuing through 2015.  His 60+ years of involvement and dedication will be remembered and reflected in lasting memories he brought to the team and the community.

 

 

The Pioneers

 

 

 

 

The Pioneers truly were pioneers for baseball within the Nowthen area and surrounding communities.  Their legacy lives on.  The field constructed by the Pioneers is used today by current Eastern Minnesota League team the Nowthen Knights.