Bob Marshall: The Pioneer of Dilworth Baseball

Some may know him as the man of Dilworth baseball, others may know him as the guy the Dilworth baseball field is named after, and some may not know him at all. His name is Bob Marshall, and it might be what we don't know that's most important.

Bob was born in Fargo, ND in 1916. When he was 2 years old his family moved to Sanborn, ND where they stayed until the age of 7. Bob's family then moved to Dilworth, MN where he spent the rest of his childhood.

He grew up loving the game of baseball with great passion and later had the opportunity to pass along that passion through coaching. Marshall was part of the Dilworth American Legion baseball team from 1931-1933, when the rules only allowed players to participate until the age of 17.

Bob Marshall looks out from the 3B dugout in Dilworth. The field was named after him years later.
(photo courtesy: Fargo Forum)

In 1940 he entered the Army where he served for 5 years. Upon his arrival home in the summer of 1945 Bob started coaching the Dilworth American Legion baseball team, a position he held for 30 years.

During his time away from the field Bob worked for Burlington Northern as a yardman and was married to Arlien Marshall. They have four kids; Russel - who lives in Red Wing, MN, Carol - who still resides in Dilworth, Tom - who lives in San Diego, CA, and Mike - who lives in Virginia and works in Washington, D.C.

Mike was the only one of the three boys not to be coached by his dad, but he still has vivid memories of his dad's coaching days. "He never complained about the time and commitment that he put into the game," said Mike Marshall. "He just loved being around kids and giving them the opportunity to play."

As Mike recalls, Bob was a part of some very special times. "There was one game where Dilworth played Fargo Post 2 and was able to pull out a 1-0 win," says Mike. "And this was a time when Roger Maris played for Fargo, so it was something special".

Bob also had the passion and desire to never let a playable game become cancelled. One afternoon, at the old ball park on the southeast side of town, he showed up at the field to find it soaking wet. Marshall then went to the fire station, hopped on a fire truck, and drove it to the field. "He parked it right behind second base and started pulling out 5 gallon containers of gasoline," said Mike. "He poured it over the whole infield and before you knew it there was black billowy smoke that floated in the air above the field."

Needless to say, the game was played.

It is this commitment and desire that sets Bob apart from the rest. He always seemed to go above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done, and did so in a way of excellence and integrity.
Leading up to the 1988 American Legion baseball season, Minnesota Division II Legion baseball was left without a state tournament. Marshall, along with Rueben Nathe (Litchfield, MN) and Tony Sipe (Ada, MN), were key contributors to the successful creation of the Minnesota Division II American Legion baseball tournament. Due to his efforts, the state runner up trophy is now named after Bob Marshall.

Marshall was also extremely involved in other areas of Minnesota baseball; In 1948 Bob became the sub-director for the Legion's Ninth District baseball program, and then took over as director from 1952-1965. He was vice director of the Minnesota American Legion Baseball program from 1963-1965 and in 1967 became director, a position he held until 1981- the longest tenure in office for any department director. Due to his service and dedication to American Legion Baseball, in 1980, the Minnesota American Legion's Baseball Committee dedicated its state and national rule book to Bob.

Over the years Bob Marshall not only made a significant impact on baseball in Dilworth, but baseball in Minnesota as a whole. It is because of his efforts that we have the privilege to be here today. He put in the time and effort to create something successful, and followed with the diligence and support needed to see it through to the end. It is because of this effort and commitment that Bob Marshall truly signifies what it means to be a pioneer of baseball.

- Written by: Bennett Uhler (Post 397 Class of 2010)