Bridgetown Baseball The Bridgetown Baseball Association was founded in 1936, for the sole purpose of organizing youth baseball in the Bridgetown area and surrounding communities. Today we serve over 700 kids ranging in age from 5 to 18. We offer softball, baseball and training leagues.
***************************************************************************************** 2011-2012 - BBA's Community Involvement: BBA is a proud sponsor of the Miracle League of Greater Cincinnati. The Miracle League is made up of communities across the country that sponsor baseball programs for children with disabilities and believes that every child deserves the opportunity to play baseball. This innovative program offers young athletes the chance to have fun, as well as participate in an organized league. http://www.miracleleaguegreatercincinnati.org/pages/default.asp?active_page_id=1
Secret Santa: BBA has again reached out into the community to provide a Secret Santa for a family in need. The Trustees were able to provide a warm coat, hat, gloves and two outfits, per child, to our family this year.BBA has been playing Secret Santa for approximately 10 years. The Trustees rotate from each OH school in the Bridgetown area to assist in providing a family, suggested by school officials, a joyous Christmas holiday. The family situation varies from year to year, this year a grandma is legal guardian to six grandchildren 4th grade and younger. The Trustees at Bridgetown Baseball Assn. would like to wish our managers, coaches, players and families a happy and healthy holiday season. ******************************************************************************************
Trustees President - Tim Cohill Chairman of the Board - Bruce Knabe Vice-President - Jim Mueller Treasurer - Gary Moser Secretary - Beth McKinney Second Vice-President - Mark Nintrup Third Vice-President - Open
How it all began... The founder of Bridgetown Baseball Association was Joseph H. Hawk. Joseph was born on February 24, 1905. In 1934, Joe organized the first Knothole team from the Bridgetown community. In 1935, Bridgetown School sponsored 2 baseball teams, one in Class C and the other in Class B. Joe Hawk coached both of these teams.
In 1936, the Bridgetown Baseball Association was formed. It was formed for all boys who wanted to play baseball from the ages of 10 to 16. In 1938, Joe organized the first American Legion Baseball team from this area. They won the Ohio State Tournament in their very first year of existence. Between the years of 1936 and 1967, Joe won 14 State Championships, 9 Regional Championships and 5 National Championships.
The Robert Bentley-French Bauer sponsored teams were the only ones to have won the National Championship on five different occasions 1944, 1947, 1952, 1957, and 1958. More than 100 players, all of whom played for Joe Hawk, have gone into professional baseball. In 1938, Joe purchased an insurance agency and ran it himself until 1970, when joined by Larry Lipps. His insurance agency, known then as Hawk Insurance, is still in business today. Also in 1963, Joe Hawk was asked to finish the baseball season as coach of the Xavier University Baseball team. Joe retired as Principal of Bridgetown School in September of 1961 after 36 years. Joe ran the Bridgetown Baseball Association from 1936 to 1968.
Over the years the B.B.A. has had 4 Presidents: Walter Freeze (1969-1974), Ron Brown (1975-1976), Mark Lockwood (1977-1979) and Jim Ebbers (1980-1995). He started the Girls Softball League in 1984. When Jim became President of B.B.A., there were 20 Knothole and 9 Training League teams. Currently there are now approximately 51 teams of various types.
Our current President is Tim Cohill (1996-present). Under Tim's leadership, B.B.A. has continued its growth. Tim has managed teams at all levels. Tim puts in countless hours working to maintain the fields and is the reason behind the aggressive upgrading of the fields at Oak Hills High School, Oakdale, Springmyer and Dulles Elementary Schools and the Bridgetown Middle School. Through Tim’s hard work, dedication and leadership, he and the other Trustees have made the B.B.A. what it is today.
Past City Champions from Bridgetown Baseball Association