Organized baseball began in Grandview in 1952, originally sponsored by the Cub Scouts.  The first league was composed of just three teams, but interest ran high in the community and after a meeting in April of 1953 our Little League began to take shape into what we know today as Grandview Baseball & Softball Association (GBSA).

Grandview resident Dwight Welsh worked with the Grandview Bobcat Boosters and Northwest Kiwanis to gain additional community support and funding, allowing for the purchase of equipment, t-shirts, and caps, with the first official opening day recorded as June 6, 1953.  The inaugural season included 6 teams playing a 20-game schedule, with over 100 Grandview boys participating.  The season was highlighted by a night at Red Bird Stadium, a tradition that continues today with GBSA “Columbus Clippers night.”

After the success of the 1953 season, the league was officially named “Grandview Boys Baseball Association (GBBA),” with Dwight Welsh elected as the first president of the league.  League funds were used to improve playing conditions at Oxley Rd. playground, including the construction of dugouts, a new backstop, and fencing alongside Northwest Blvd.

As the league took shape, ages for participation widened to include boys ages 8 through 14.  Additional future plans for 1955 included installing lights and adding permanent bleachers, with the philosophical emphasis stated “to give the youth of Grandview an opportunity to learn and play baseball under supervision, and to teach the rules of good sportsmanship, fellowship, and conduct both on and off the playing field.”  While times have changed since the 1950’s, the GBBA original philosophy is still embraced today, with emphasis on creating a fun and inclusive community baseball and softball league for all boys and girls built on sportsmanship, fair play, and integrity.

While we are not clear exactly what year girls softball was added to our community league, Grandview Boys Baseball Association has developed from the initial 1950’s boys Little League, into what we now know today as Grandview Baseball & Softball Association (GBSA) after expanding the league to create new opportunities for girls to participate.

Today, some 70+ years after the original GBBA baseball league began, we continue to enjoy one of the finest community baseball and softball leagues around central Ohio, as witnessed by the hundreds of boys and girls who participate in GBSA annually.  Moreover, the longstanding tradition of the GBSA/Columbus Clippers game continues, alongside newer traditions including participation in the Grandview Memorial Day parade, and summer movie night at Buck Park.

Your continued participation and enthusiasm for GBSA are vital in fostering a supportive youth baseball/softball environment where all kids can grow and have fun. Let's keep building on the foundation and traditions previously created, and continue to help kids make lasting memories on the field. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and passion for GBSA!

Written by: Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D. (2024)