Zinsmeister, Ralph “Babe”

Ralph “Babe” Zinsmeister – (1972)

 

RALPH (Babe) ZINSMEISTER

Fight promoter, Golden Glove judge, Booster Club organizer and president, baseball player and manager . . . all these and more have occupied some 65 of “Babe” Zinsmeister’s 80 years. “Babe” spearheaded the reorganization of the Lorain High School Adult Booster Club. Serving five terms as its president, he opened the door to women members, was honored at a “Babe Zinsmeister Night” at George Daniel Field on Sept. 17, 1962, and was given the only lifetime membership ever presented by the club. During his reign, the “Danny Award” scholarship award was founded, based on athletic participation, scholarship standing and citizenship in honor of the late George Daniel, a charter enshrinee in the Hall of Fame. “Babe” played varsity baseball three years at LHS (1908-10) as in infielder. He later played semi-pro baseball until about 1925. In 1920 he teamed with Jack Kelly and George Forrester in founding the Lorain Sports Club for the purpose of promoting boxing in Lorain. “Babe” served as secretary-treasurer. Among the fighters they brought to Lorain were fellow 1972 inductee Alvie Miller, World Featherweight Champion Johnny Kilbane, Light Heavyweight Champion “Battling” Sike and Johnny Risko. He was appointed chairman of the Lorain Sports Commission by the mayor in 1928 and today is still a member of the Lorain Boxing and Wrestling Commission. He served as a Golden Gloves judge for some 20 years.