Here the first four teams to form the league are pictured, this photo dates back to 1952.

The early days
    Sometime in the period 1951-52, Mead James, Kalispell Police Chief, read an article about a youth baseball program called little league. Taken with the idea for Kalispell kids, he quickly called around town seeking support and volunteers. One of those he contacted was Louis Fry.
    The first season, 1952, Kalispell Pee Wee Baseball was born. Four teams were fielded: Kalispell Mercantile (KM), Save-On Drug, Elks Lodge 725 and Howard's Shoe Shine Parlor. Louis Fry volunteered as the KM coach that first year. He would go on to coach the KM until the early 60's. Louis suffered a fatal heart attack the evening following a Pee Wee game and according to his son Don, many kids attended the funeral wearing their uniforms out of respect for Louis.
     In baseball circles, he's considered the grandfather of youth baseball in Kalispell. Following his father's death, Don went on to serve as the KM (the team became Semitool in the early 1980's) coach for another 30 plus years. Forty-three years to be exact! In those days the season began in June, after school let out and concluded just before school began, in late August. Umpires were all volunteers and the cost to play just $3.00.

Minor league added
    While the early league fielded 15 players each on four teams the organization recognized that many young players had nowhere to play and were generally too young to compete with the older players. In the early 60's the Minor league was created and was composed of kids in the 9 and 10 year old age bracket. The Major league served players10-12 years of age.

Rookie league added
    Although the two team system worked successfully for many years we recoginzed that the the youngest players were probably deserving of a program that would allow them to learn the game and compete with other players of the same age. The Rookie league was introduced in May of 1995 and serves as an entry into Pee Wee Baseball for seven and eight year olds.

T-Ball league added
    The T-Ball League was added in 2009. This league is for young players and their first introduction to an organized team format. The goal in this league is to teach the fundamentals of hitting and fielding, develop sportsmanship and excitement for the game. Ages 5 and 6 play in this league. For the first two games, all batters will hit the ball from a batting tee that allows the batter to swing level.  After two games, the batter’s coach will “lob” the pitch to the batter. The primary goal is to begin to instruct young players in the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive team environment.

10 Prep league added
    The 10 Prep League was added in 2011.This League was created to give all 10 year old players the opportunity to participate in a league that would prepare them for our Major League and, have there own All Star teams. This league teaches the fundamentals of bunting, base steeling and develops skills needed for the next level. The rules are the same as in the Major League with the exception of each team bats through its complete team roster every game.

Community sponsors
    As with any good home grown volunteer organization, business community support is vital. Several of our team sponsors have been sponsoring for many years.

Volunteer system
    Today, Kalispell Pee Wee Baseball remains an all-volunteer program, just as it started in 1952. Coaches and team helpers are quite often parents of players, however many have passed through our ranks that had no relatives on the team. They simply enjoy the game and enjoy working with kids.

Kalispell Pee Wee Baseball is a Montana Not-for-Profit Corporation whose objective is to educate its participants in the fundamentals of baseball as well as develop an appreciation for sportsmanship and citizenship.