September 22, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – Memories of the old West Bend Lithia baseball team flowed like the beer from a keg after a win at Carl M. Kuss Field. Players recalled the heyday of the league during a reunion Sunday organized by former manager John Rozek. More than 25 ballplayers from the era between the 1960’s and 1990’s swapped stories about stealing signals, hammering homeruns, and the camaraderie during and definitely after the game.
“Oh, to be young again,” said Mitch Knox. “The Lithia’s gave me opportunity. We had so much fun – not only during the game but after the game; here wasn’t a tavern we didn’t stop at on the way home.”
Pitcher’s Mound, Thome’s, Bagg End in Barton, and Grand Larceny were just a few of the post-game stops.
John and Mary Rozek brought memorabilia including newspaper clippings, programs, Lithia jersey, Benefit beer can, and a scorebook meticulously kept by Bob Pick.
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Mark Mayer, 83, played centerfield for coach Don Gumm in the early 1960’s. Teammates included Willie Mueller, Jim Cahoon, and Steve Kissinger.
“We had a very good bunch of guys; we were closely knit – kinda like the Brewers are today,” said Mayer. “We rooted for each other; there was nobody who was the star, we were all stars.”
John Rehman was a pitcher and coming off a high school WIAA state championship when he started with the West Bend Lithia in 1984. “I learned more in two years of playing with the Lithia from guys like Mitch Knox and Doug Gonring, than I did in my whole career of baseball,” he said. “They taught me a lot of baseball.”
Players fondly recalled games at the old Carl M. Kuss Stadium.
The ivy on the fence was the most notable characteristic along with the light poles on the inside of the fence line, some wrapped in wrestling mats or cushions to help absorb any blows from dedicated outfielders.
Below is a segment of the history posted on the WBBA website of the grandstand and its ties to the Fair Park. “West Bend’s Boys of Summer” was written by Catharine Lawton.
A couple of bonus videos below – memories of Carl M. Kuss Field…
