Kirkwood baseball field officially named after former Hall of Fame coach John Lewis

CEDAR RAPIDS — John Lewis was instrumental in bringing baseball to Kirkwood’s campus.

Prior to his 32-year tenure as the Eagles’ head coach that began in 1980 and another as an assistant, the program played home games at Jones Park and Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Lewis stood on the grass behind home plate, recalling when Kirkwood broke ground on its own facility.

“In the fall of 1993, we laid this sod,” Lewis told a large crowd in the bleachers and standing around the backstop. “I’m actually standing on sod that I laid.”

Lewis set the groundwork for the Eagles’ baseball program — literally and figuratively. The school honored Lewis, dedicating the field in his name Wednesday between games of a doubleheader against Southeastern Community College.

A banner was removed from the scoreboard beyond the left field wall, displaying “Lewis Field” in uppercase white letters.

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“To think that we’re here today to name the field after the best coach who’s ever been, or will ever be, here is a tremendous day,” current Eagles Coach Todd Rima said. “But to think when he started there wasn’t even a baseball field.

“To go from not having a field to building a program where we can name it after him, it’s a special day to be a part of.”

Kirkwood Athletics Director Doug Wagemester said the conversation began when Lewis retired in 2011.This has been a long time in the making and finally became a reality last year. After a few previous attempts were wiped out due to weather, the ceremony attracted a few hundred friends, family, supporters and a number of former players on a beautiful sunny day.

“I’m just tickled to death,” Wagemester said. “He’s so deserving. I think the turnout shows what he means to Kirkwood baseball.”

Lewis was joined by family during the ceremony, including his son, Darren, who played and coached with his dad for the Eagles. Darren’s son and Kirkwood outfielder, Bronx, was seated nearby with a granddaughter and two more of Lewis’ grandsons.

“That first team in 1994 on this field, the first hitter was my son, Darren. He played center field. Guess who’s playing center field now? His son.

“Darren was the first hitter, had the first walk, stole the first base and scored the first run. That means something that he was involved with that.”

Bronx added to the festivities, belting the first home run on the field officially named for his grandfather. He thought about how he would celebrate if he did hit one out but he forgot all of that when he made contact. Bronx took off running immediately, jumping up on the base paths when he realized what happened.

“It’s surreal,” Bronx said. “I can’t imagine a better scenario than that.”

The moment couldn’t have been better scripted.

“I think that’s a great story,” Rima said. “I couldn’t be happier for Bronx and the whole Lewis family.”

Bronx had been well-versed in his family’s history with his grandfather and dad coaching him throughout his career. He heard many stories and is adding to their legacy in Eagles baseball.

“It was awesome,” Bronx said about the ceremony. “Ever since I was a kid he was my coach and been there on the baseball side of things.

“Now, getting to go to college and play on a field with (our) name on it. All the stuff that he’s done for me and as hard as he’s worked ... I owe it all to him.”

Lewis started at the school in the late 1970s. He was asked to be an assistant for the 1979 season. The previous head coach decided to quit after that season and Lewis was asked to lead the program.

Lewis, 77, massed a 1,095-589 career record. He led the Eagles to the Junior College World Series four times, including a national runner-up finish in 1995. He was named Iowa NJCAA Coach of the Year six times and earned four District Coach of the Year honors.

A plaque will be placed behind the home dugout, highlighting Lewis’ record and accomplishments with the Eagles.

“John spent an unbelievable amount of hours on the field, doing his job in Jones Hall, coaching kids and basically invested all of his adult life in Kirkwood baseball,” Wagemester said. “He means everything.”

Lewis shared a story about the field and former groundskeeper Mike Martin, who bagged up the dirt and grass from each position for the 1998 World Series trip.

“So, we had our home field advantage,” Lewis said. “When the players got on that field, they took the bags out and dumped the dirt and grass on the field, which I thought was pretty cool.”

Rima noted Lewis’ impact on baseball and softball players, giving lessons to kids in the area. He made a a large impact that extends beyond Kirkwood’s campus. Rima also said he had the chance to coach against and then follow him, adding that Lewis was much more than wins honors.

“The things you know the most is he did it right,” Rima said. “He treated people right. He treated his players right and he loved his players. To me, that’s what I admire most. He’s the best to ever do it. I’m proud to call him a friend and it’s a great honor to the Lewis family.”

Lewis reflected on his time with the program. He highlighted some of the players, who were in attendance, including his first recruits from Cedar Rapids Jefferson. He mentioned a few of his Kirkwood players whose sons joined the program, like Darren and Bronx, Matt and Levi Usher and Chad and Boede Rahe, who earned the victory in Game 1 Wednesday.

Lewis said his players did all the work and he just filled out a lineup.

“That was easy,” Lewis said. “They had to play between the lines. They got it done.

“I really appreciate all of them, showing up today. I thank Kirkwood for all you’ve done for our family.”

The Eagles added icing to the cookies served between games. They earned a doubleheader sweep, 5-2 and 5-4, over Southeastern. Kirkwood has won four straight.

“I thought our guys really competed today,” Rima said. “They’ve been working hard and sticking with this, making the improvements we need to make. Seeing them go out and have success against the team leading the league, I’m just really happy for them.”

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