Est. 1955
Our History
For over 70 years, Boone National Little League has been a cornerstone of our community — giving kids a place to play, grow, and belong.
At a Glance
Tournament Honors
15
State Championships
Across multiple divisions & decades
7
State Runner-Up Finishes
1957 · 1976 · 1991 · 1996
2003 · 2007 · 2011
1st
Regional Appearance in BNLL History
2024 Intermediate 50/70
District 3 Champions
34–21
All-Time Tournament Record
Through 1977
per the Fact Book
Timeline
A Legacy of the Game
Pre-1955
The League Begins at McHose Park
Before an official home was established, the Boone National Little League got its start at McHose Park. The league eventually entered into an agreement with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad to use their property at Tenth and Tama Streets — at a very token rental fee — which would become the league's first official home for over 15 years.
Founding
1955
Boone National Little League is Founded
The inaugural season fielded four teams — the Giants, Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers — for players ages 8–12. The Cubs and Giants finished tied at 11–7, sharing the first ever league title. The first managers were Ray Chance, Rev. Robert Stabenow, Cecil Malcolm, and Dale Ray. No tournament play was allowed in the first year of organization.
Field & Facilities
1956
Jimmy Archer Field Opens & First Tournament Win
Boone's first official Little League field opened at the corner of Tenth and Tama Streets, named after Boone's first-ever Major League baseball player. In their first year of tournament play, Boone beat Jefferson 4–0 (Rick Barry, winning pitcher) before falling to Sac City in the Area tourney. The Babe Ruth program (ages 13–15) also launched this year.
State Runner-Up
1957
State Runner-Up — Just Year Three
In only their third year of existence, Boone's All-Stars won four of five tournament games — beating Jefferson 20–1, South Dallas 12–7, Sac County 5–2, and South Des Moines 12–11 after trailing 9–0 — before falling to Ottumwa American 7–3 in the State title game. Key players: Jim Caldwell, Rick Barry, Denny Ellenwood, Terry Sparks, Ron Mills, Rick Metcalf, Roger Dutton, and John Bush. Managers: Jack Bass, Jack Mustapha, and Bill Curell.
1958
Jimmy Archer Field Dedicated — May 24, 1958
Jimmy Archer passed away in 1957. On May 24, 1958, Boone's first official Little League field was formally dedicated in his honor. Archer had played for the Tigers, Cubs, Pirates, Dodgers, and Reds, appeared in two World Series, and placed in the top 25 of the MVP vote three times. His widow, Lillian Stark of Boone, later returned to the city to live out her days. Benny Meyers, Ival Howard, and Jim Grant were other Boone men who later played professionally, but Archer was first.
1965
Three No-Hitters, One State Title
Boone's deep baseball roots were on full display in 1965 when local high schooler Jack Mustapha threw three consecutive no-hitters to win the Iowa state baseball title — a remarkable feat that captured the town's enduring passion for the game during that era.
Tournament
1970
State Final Four Appearance
The 1970 All-Stars swept through the district — beating Jefferson 6–4, Marshalltown National 4–3, and Denison 3–0 — to reach the State meet at Carroll. One of only four teams in the state field, Boone's deepest tournament run to that point. Tim Rolfes homered and led the pitching staff throughout the run. Manager: Gary Shriver.
Growth
1974
Railroad Requests Purchase — League Plans New Home
After more than 15 years at the Tenth and Tama site, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad notified the league they wished to sell the property. With no savings for such a purchase — and a growing need to add softball fields — the Board decided to find a new, larger site rather than buy the old one.
Growth
1975
10 Acres Secured Near College & Division
A 30-day option on 10 acres near College and Division Streets was secured for $30,000. The league accepted pledges from the community, then successfully petitioned the Boone City Council to have the Park Board purchase the land using revenue sharing funds. In May 1975, the purchase was complete.
Field & Facilities
1976
Boone Little League Park Opens & State Runner-Up
After a community-wide fundraising drive, a construction firm broke ground in spring 1976. Fencing was erected, a concession stand and restrooms built, and the first games were played in May 1976. In that same inaugural season, the All-Stars reached the state championship game — finishing as State Runner-Up for the second time in league history.
1977
Park Dedicated — May 21, 1977
Mayor Charles Klinkefus declared May 14–21, 1977 as Boone National Little League Week. On Opening Day, May 21, 1977, the new complex was officially dedicated. The league published the "1977 Fact Book and Dedicatory Program" — compiling every season's standings, managers, all-star rosters, and tourney highlights from 1955–1976, recording an all-time tournament record of 34 wins and 21 losses. Total park development cost: approximately $52,000, with $40,000 in donated cash and equipment already spent.
Championships
15 Titles
A Championship Legacy
Boone National Little League has captured 15 state championships across multiple age divisions over the decades — a testament to the coaches, players, and families who have poured everything into this program year after year.
State Runner-Up
1991
Major Baseball — State Runner-Up
The 1991 Majors All-Stars fell just short of a state title, losing 5–3 to Grandview (Des Moines) in a tight championship game — one of the closest finals in program history.
State Runner-Up
1996
Major Baseball — State Runner-Up
Boone's Majors All-Stars reached the state finals in 1996, falling 7–0 to Marshalltown National in the championship game.
State Runner-Up
2003
Major Baseball — State Runner-Up
The 2003 Majors All-Stars advanced to the state championship game before falling 9–1 to North Scott (Eldridge).
State Runner-Up
2007
Major Baseball — State Runner-Up
The 2007 Majors All-Stars reached the state finals, falling 6–1 to Urbandale in the championship game — the program's fourth state runner-up finish and one of its strongest modern tournament runs.
State Runner-Up
2011
Major Baseball — State Runner-Up
Boone's Majors All-Stars returned to the state title game in 2011, losing 14–0 to Grandview (Des Moines) — capping one of the most decorated stretches of tournament baseball in program history.
61st Season
2016
600+ Players Across Nine Leagues
By the 61st season, the park had grown to nine fields and 63 teams, with over 600 players participating across two T-ball divisions, three baseball divisions, and four softball divisions — and 15 state championships to the program's name.
2020
Season Cancelled Due to Pandemic
For the first time in league history, the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fields went quiet, but the community's commitment to the program never wavered — and the league came back stronger the following year.
Historic First
2024
District 3 Champions — First Regional Appearance
The 2024 Intermediate 50/70 All-Stars captured the District 3 championship and became the first team in Boone National Little League history to advance to regional tournament play — a milestone for the program and a new standard for future All-Star teams to chase.
70th Season
2025
Celebrating 70 Years of Boone National Little League
In 2025, Boone National Little League marked its 70th anniversary — seven decades of giving kids a place to play, compete, and grow. A milestone worth celebrating for every player, family, and volunteer who has ever been part of this league.
71st Season
2026
71 Years of Boone National Little League
Over seven decades of baseball, community, and kids learning the game in Boone, Iowa. The tradition continues — here's to the next 70.
Primary Source
Boone's Baseball Archive
Much of this history was made possible by community members who saved their scrapbooks and programs over the decades. Jerry Manriquez digitized and preserved an incredible collection of early Boone Little League and Babe Ruth clippings, rosters, standings, and photos — including contributions from the families of Michael F. Lacey, Leon Anderson, Mike Manriquez, and Mo Kelley.
The full archive — covering 1955 through 1977 — including scanned newspaper clippings, colorized photos, rosters, and the original 1977 Fact Book, is available at:
View the Full Archive →
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Have a photo, year, or story to add to the timeline? Reach out to the board and we'll get it on here.
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Be Part of the Next Chapter
Volunteer, sponsor, or donate — help us write the next 70 years of Boone National Little League.