photograph
Catalog Number
1981.4.1aDescription
Black and white photograph of Holland Independents baseball team prior to 1924.Back row, left to right: Reddy Rottschafer; Ben Lievense; Chris Knudson; Peter Lievense; Carl Shaw; and, Babe Woldring (Ralph).
Front row, left to right: Henry Te Roller; Benny Batema; manager Art Gumser; Ray Peterson; and Shine Vander Hill.
History
The Holland Independents baseball team, in the Federal League, played at the 19th Street Field in Holland, MI. Now the site of Rosa Parks Green. Several Holland Independent players were recruited to the White Sox’s farm team.Ben "Benny" Batema served in a field artillery company during WW1. He was born on 9-25-1888 in the Netherlands to Johannes and Willemke Batema. Benny passed away in Holland, MI on 11-11-1952. Benny played baseball for the Holland Independents in 1909. He was still with the team in 1916 and in 1922.
Benny managed the Flying Dutchmen baseball team in Holland for 19 years, from about 1933-1952. He married Hazel Harris and was employed by the De Pree Company.
Ralph "Babe" Woldring played baseball for the Holland Independents for several years. At one time he had a contract with the Chicago Whitesox.
He lived in Holland, MI at 190 East 5th Street with his wife Iva. He was a member of the 4th Reformed Church and was employed by the Colonial Furniture Co.