District 20′s Max Lauritzen: ‘It’s for the Kids’

Max Lauritzen called them the way he saw them for years as an umpire.

Now that his eyesight is failing, he’s stepping down after serving behind the scenes for about the past 20 years for District 20 Little League of Peru.

“I’m 99% [sure], OK,” he said. “I’ve had a good time. Met a lot of good people. Made a lot of friends all over Central Region and District. It’s just time.”

Max, who also previously served for Princeton Youth Baseball in a variety of ways, is one of the good guys in the game. Without people like Max, and Mark Judy of Peru Little League Softball, the games just wouldn’t be the same.

“It’s all about the kids and helping them however I can,” said Lauritzen, who soon will turn 83.

His official capacity for District 20 was informational officer and safety officer and “a little bit of everything.” He said that he was the “gopher” or executive assistant. “That’s what Tim [Trevier] called me,” he said.

Judy, longtime vice president for Peru Little League Softball Inc. and District 20 secretary, said Lauritzen was a real jack-of-all-trades for District 20.

“Max has been such an integral part of District 20, whether baseball or softball. Not only does he keep everyone up to date on information and following his schedule of when things need to be done by, he attended state district administrators meetings and kept everyone up to date on tournaments that would be held within the state and within the district.

Judy has no doubt Lauritzen will continue to serve as a resource for the district.

“He will be greatly missed but will never be gone from it, as I’m sure he will get a call now and then on how to do something,” he said. “Max is like a computer. When you need to know something, he knew who to call to find out whether in the district, Central Region or Williamsport [Pennsylvania]. He knew it all or knew how to find out.”

Lauritzen’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He was recognized by Central Region in 2010 as Assistant District Administrator of the Year for the region.

Lauritzen said he’s going to continue to work at the state level in a limited role as safety coordinator.

• In closing, I wanted to give a big shout-out to Mona Cruse, who has left the BCR after 46 years. She has been the most dedicated, loyal employee the BCR has ever had and helped me out endless times over the years with graphic or IT help. It just won’t be same not hearing her laugh or her flip-flops going down the hallway. Best of luck Mona at your new endeavor, and thank you for everything.

• Kevin Hieronymus is the Bureau County Republican sports editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com.