Although there was no organized baseball for Norfolk youth until Little League arrived in 1952, town team baseball flourished during the first half of the 20th century. The first Norfolk town team dates back to the early 1900’s and was comprised of young adults who competed against teams from nearby towns. In 1938, the town team pictured here was coached by Walter Campbell with little Maurice Dutcher as bat boy. At that time, the baseball field was located on the flat land, known locally as the old fairgrounds, on Westside Road near the intersection of Mountain Road. Following World War II, the Norfolk Athletic Association fielded two town teams, and the present baseball diamond on Mountain Road was constructed. By 1960, Norfolk was no longer able to field a team, and town baseball came to an end.

—Ann Havemeyer