In the fall of 1950, a committee from the Clayton Kiwanis Club and the Franklin Twp. Lions Club met with the members of both committees to see if they should join the Little League Baseball Program that had been founded in 1939, in Williamsport, Pa and was now becoming very popular in the South Jersey area.  As a result of this committee, the Clayton/Franklin Little League was founded.

Many of those members who were instrumental in forming the new league were, from the Clayton Kiwanis; John D. Reutter, Thelbelt “Puggy” Snyder, Russell C. Fisler (Mayor at that time), Ben Geortler, Buck Ferrell, Clarence Edwards, Phil Adams, Jess A Alexander. Frank Dennis, Harmon “Pappy” Bell, Tom Howell and Grich Clevenger.  The members from  the Franklin Kiwanis were; Joe Minotty, Sheldon Bunchingham and Joe Filler.

The league in its first year had four teams, three from Clayton and one from Franklin Twp.  The teams were named Kiwanis, Lions, Merchants and H-T & S-C (Hungerford & Terry and Silver Chamberlain).

The first three years the League played their games in Clayton at the Haupt Memorial Field.  The games were played in the Se corner of the field with the outfield overlapping the football field.  Each week two games were played in Clayton and two games in Franklinville on the Grammar School playground.

In 1954 the Clayton American Legion became a sponsor of the League and built a field in back of the Legion Post on Delsea Dr.  All of the games were played on this field through 1957.  The League had their only District Championship Team in 1956 and lost their first game of area play in Delaware.

Clayton had over 200 players sign up in the spring of 1957 which resulted in Clayton separating from Franklin Twp. And having their own League in 1958.  H. Taylor Bell was instrumental in making this transition happen, since he had taken over as President for the 1958 season.

Clayton Community Little League had its first season in 1958 and continued to play on the American Legion Post field until Clayton’s new field was ready in 1961.  After several meetings with local politicians, such as Gene Costill and Ben Schinkle, it was decided to utilize a parcel of property 300 by 1000 ft.  on Washington Ave. for the new field.  Clayton deeded this parcel of land to the Clayton Community Little League, produced a Minstrel Show in 1960 and 1961 to raise money to clear the property and to build the new Minor League Field in back of the Major League Field.  As anticipated, both fields were ready to play on for the start of 1961 season and the field Clubhouse was ready to use for the 1962 season.  The original backstops were fabricated by Bob Sandlier.

To the league’s surprise, in 1974 the received a tax bill from the town for $500.00, since the property was deeded to the league many years earlier. It was later agreed upon in 1975 that the property would be deeded back to the town of Clayton with the League taking a 100 year lease for $1.00 a year. 

In 1978 the league received permission to enlarge their complex and they applied to the state for a $40,000 Green Acres Grant.  The only stipulation in receiving the grant was for volunteers to supply the labor.  Since the expansion area was encompassed by all the woods, it took fifteen volunteers over two years to construct the 13 & ½ acre addition.

From 1980 to 1984, many changes and upgrades were completed to include new senior field and new fencing throughout the property, new dugouts, sprinkler system and lights. For the 1984 season, the Clayton Little League dedicated their field as the “Taylor Bell Field, The Home of the Clayton Little League”.

Other major improvements to the field were; the concession stands in 1985, the electric scoreboard in 1987, a paved parking lot in 1991, bathrooms, Senior Field dugouts and Senior Field storage building were added in 1992,batting cages were installed in 1994, a softball grass infield was added in 1995 and further improvements to the sprinkler system and lighting system were done in 1996.

In 1987, the Clayton Little League hosted the state Little League Tournament and in 1996, the Clayton Little League hosted the 9-10 Baseball NJ State Tournament with the four Section Champions competing.

The Clayton little league through its dedicated volunteers, currently provides programs in Baseball and Softball to ages 6 to 17 for an average of 320 children each year.

Editors Note: This depiction of Clayton Little League history was provided through the notes of the late H. Taylor Bell.

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