Complimentary Story
Ninety-four year old Frank Gering has a plaque on his desk with a Scripture verse from Colossians 23:23, by which he tries to live his life: Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men In his role as Chaplain of Wausaus Baseball Chapel, Gerings enthusiasm for meeting the spiritual needs of young ballplayers is as unwavering today as it was 27 years ago when God first called him into that position.Frank still recalls how it all began that spring in 1980. I was leaving my driveway heading for Athletic Park when I sensed God asking me, Frank, what have you ever done spiritually for these ball players?
The unexpected observation puzzled Frank at first. A few days later he was at Athletic Park talking with players and coaches of the then Wausau Timbers. When Timbers manager, Marty Martinez, expressed a desire to have a Chapel Service for his players, Frank quickly stepped forward and exclaimed, I can help with that!
In addition to holding Chapel Service at Athletic Park, Frank and his wife Polly began a weekly Bible study in their home across the street from Athletic Park. News about Pollys delicious desserts quickly spread throughout the team, generating considerable interest in the Gerings Home Bible Study. Polly fed them her desserts. I fed them Gods word, said the affable Gering. Some of the Spanish speaking kids didnt understand a word I said. They came for Pollys deserts, but I gave them the gospel message anyway, said Gering. Players soon discovered that the door to the Gering home was always open to them. If a player had any kind of problem, Frank was there to listen and help in any way he could.
Frank likes to reminisce about the talent laden Timbers team of 1980. Harold Reynolds, Darnell Coles, Jim Presley, Johnny Moses, Edwin Nunez, every one made it to the majors, said Frank. No wonder we won the championship that year! All five players were regulars at weekly Baseball Chapel as well. Many of the Timbers players still keep in touch with Frank, as do former Woodchuck players. They tell me how important Baseball Chapel was to them and how much
they enjoyed Pollys desserts.
The decision in 1990 by the parent club Seattle Mariners to relocate the Timbers to a bigger ballpark in Illinois left a huge void in Franks life and the entire Wausau baseball community. When the Wisconsin Woodchucks became Wausaus entry into the Northwoods League in 1994, Frank wasted little time resurrecting Baseball Chapel for the Woodchucks.
It was in 2001, at the age of 89, that Gering recognized the need to have someone help him with Baseball Chapel. Wausaus Larry Lombardo, a fellow Gideon, agreed to become Franks assistant. Together, the 94-year-old Gering and 65-year-old Lombardo have helped bring the gospel message and opportunities for worship to both players and coaches. These young men need to know there is more to life than playing baseball, said Frank.
Lombardo agrees. I can think of no better role model for young athletes than Frank Gering. Frank talks to the players about his 70 years of marriage to Polly, his dedication to her, and the dedication they both have to Jesus Christ. His special chemistry with the players allows him to be a father figure to them because there are times when they need that, said Lombardo.
Whenever a players parents are in town to visit their son, Frank makes it a point to meet the parents and introduce himself. Thats what makes Frank so special, said Lombardo. He takes a genuine interest in the players and their families. Frank recalls one of the young Wausau Timbers players knocking on his door late one night wanting to talk. His wife had just informed him she wanted a divorce and he needed someone to confide in. I sat with him on our front porch talking together and praying together. At 5 a.m. he left our house to catch the Woodchuck players bus leaving for an out of town game. This past July that same player telephoned Frank from his home in Kentucky. He told me how Baseball Chapel was a light in the darkness for him back then and helped him commit his life to Christ.
Clark Eckhoff, Woodchucks owner, is amazed with Franks wealth of knowledge and his influence in the community. His faith in God and the way he leads his life has an impact on everyone he meets; adults, Woodchuck players, even young kids. Hes just an incredible gentlemen, said Eckhoff. Woodchucks manager, Jim Gantner is another Gering fan. Im amazed at how well he relates to these young college kids.
This past summer a former Woodchuck player was on the Green Bay team that came here to play the Woodchucks. The player asked if he could attend the Woodchucks Baseball Chapel and bring a friend. I miss Baseball Chapel, he confessed. Gering and Lombardo would like to see other teams in the Northwoods League establish a Baseball Chapel. Both Eckhoff and Gantner support the idea. Its a no brainer, said the Woodchucks owner. College players in the Northwoods League are often away from home for the first time. Baseball Chapel provides them a safe haven where they can bond
together, form friendships and worship with one another, said Clark. Jim Gantner agrees. Baseball Chapel teaches these kids that the most important thing in life is not baseball - its having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In 2003 Woodchucks manager, Steve Foster, presented Frank with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service to the Woodchucks. In 2006 the Wausau Baseball Community also recognized Franks
years of dedication to the Timbers and Woodchucks by inducting him into the Central Wisconsins Hall of Fame. Its all been a labor of love, commented Frank. In addition to his Chaplain duties with the Woodchucks, Frank also continues his work with the Gideons and is an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Wausau.
At age 94 Frank knows the sands of time are rapidly passing through his hourglass. When asked about his longevity he replied, I guess the Lord still has work for me to do here. Until the Lord calls him home, Wausaus Godfather of baseball will continue to serve God and the Wausau Community with the same enthusiasm he has for the past 27 years. Like the Energy Bunny, Frank Gering just keeps goingand goingand going
