Hundreds Flocked to Warda During its Baseball Heyday
“Warda” and “baseball” are two words that historically have a strong tie to each other. Ask anyone old enough to recall when every community had a baseball team, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone that would deny Warda always had a great team.
Back in the 1930s, the church had a softball team called the Warda Red Birds. All the players were church members and wore red shirts. Games were played on Sunday afternoons at a ball field on Ernest Kunze’s farm, which was half a mile north of Warda.
During World War II, many of the young men were off in the military. Those that were here had to combine with the Nechanitz area players to be able to form a team. The roster changed often as men entered and left the military. In 1947, C.A. Falke scheduled regular games with neighboring teams and for a while, there was a community softball league.
Members of the Warda team had to buy their own uniforms, which cost $10 each. In a big game on July 4, 1947, against Giddings, admission was charged. The Warda team wanted to split the money 50- 50, but the Giddings team said the winning team should get 60 percent. Warda won that game and the extra money helped the men pay for their uniforms. Not every player remembers just the glory of winning. During practice one day, C.A. Falke hit a foul ball directly into Raymond Kunze’s mouth, knocking out several teeth. After that, Raymond volunteered to serve as team manager.
In the late 1940s, when Herman Lehmann played (who was nicknamed “The Submarine” as many believed he could have played on a professional level), baseball was a central feature of the Warda community. From this time through the 1960s and beyond, it was common to see crowds of 1,000 or more people at the baseball field, which was still located on the Kunze property. Mr. Giese kept the playing field well-manicured and always raised the United States flag before each game. Many of the men played for years, and the fathers were often playing on the same teams as their sons.
Not too many people remember that in the 1960s, Warda also had a ladies softball team called Fred’s Frauleins, after its sponsor storeowner, Fred Kasper. Practice for the ladies was held on Monday evening, with games being played on Wednesday evenings. Many of the team members were mothers and would bring their children to the practices and games.
In 1973, the men’s team, managed by Leslie Giese and Roy Lehmann, won the league championship.
In the early 1980s, there were not as many young men in the area, and Gus Schramm, Jr. began to recruit men from nearby communities, reorganizing to form “The Warda Aces” team. During this time, a tornado partially destroyed the Kunze ball field, and games were moved to the park at the La Grange Fairgrounds. During the 1990s, The Warda Aces won several championships.
Warda ballgames were always so well-attended that on June 18, 1950, a church bulletin warned: “Have we time to play ball or go to the ball game on
Sunday afternoon, but no time to go to the church and hear God’s word on Sunday mornings?”
Credit: The above history was taken from information compiled by Carolyn Lehmann, Flora Kunze and Marie Moerbe on a History of the Warda Community done for the 125-year anniversary of the church.
Holy Cross BBQ
Holy Cross Lutheran Church will have BBQ pork by the pound and BBQ sauce to-go on Sunday, Sept. 6. Drive-thru at the church picnic grounds will start at 10 a.m. Pre-orders are appreciated, but not required. Call (979) 242-3333 to place your order. There will be no other picnic activities held this year.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
The Couples Club meeting scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14, has been cancelled.
Events Still On
The sewing circle meets each Thursday at 9 a.m. All are welcome to join.
Bible Study
Bible study will resume in September. Contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com for more information.
Holy Cross Services
Services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church are on Sunday at 9 a.m. Bible class follows the Sunday morning service.
The mid-week communion service is held the first Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m.
Sermon links, streaming videos and additional information is on the website at www.holycrosswarda.com.
Sunday school for kids (kindergarten through grade 8) is now in person. Sunday School Promotion Sunday will be held on Aug. 30.
FLHS
Classes start back up on August 19. They will have an official opening service on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 3 p.m. at the church.
Contact FLHS at (979)-242-2889 to learn more.
Prayer Requests
Curtis Moerbe, Amy Wagner and Wesley Cervenka.
Sympathies
Sympathies are extended to Edward and Christine Buscha on the death of Christine’s niece, Deborah Brandt, on Aug. 2. Her funeral was held on Aug. 6 in Rockdale.
Sympathies are also extended to William and Carol Jurk on the death of Carol’s brother-in-law, Kenny Frank, on Aug. 4. A graveside service was held on Aug. 10 at Zoar Lutheran Cemetery in Mentz.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Janet Schramm and Amber Baass - Aug. 18; and Karen Roberts - 20.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary to Darrick and Kayla Schubert, celebrating on Aug. 20.
Have News?
If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.