CUBA CITY—When his children were growing up, Rick Spoerle started his coaching career. He started with the youth baseball teams, graduating to a high school coach as his kids reached high school. When his children were grown, he coached the Platteville Woodchucks for a few years until his grandson was old enough to start playing ball.

He has been coaching baseball for more than 30 years.

“Everyone should do it once,” Spoerle said. “It’s not a hard job; it’s just time consuming.”

Spoerle said baseball is a great way to teach kids the foundation of sportsmanship.

“It’s not all about winning,” Spoerle said. “You just want to have a good time.”

Spoerle said he kept at it year after year because he enjoyed doing it. He now is part of the Park and Recreation and Summer Recreation boards for the city. He helps determine what needs to be done at the park each year, assigns coaches to teams each year and helps run the concession stand.

“The Park and Rec board is in charge of all parks, not just the ball park,” Spoerle said. “There’s not much of a budget to work with, so it’s hard to do much to make improvements. There is a lot of volunteer work that goes into it.”

Spoerle is also a member of the Cuba City Lions Club. The group sponsors Christmas at Epione Pavilion and performs other volunteer tasks throughout the community each year. The group’s main fundraiser is in March.

“I was asked to join and I had friends who were involved in it,” Spoerle said. “It’s a social event and it’s always good to raise money and give back to the community. They’re always looking for more members.”

Spoerle said he is happy to be a life-long resident of Cuba City.

“I think more people want to get away from big cities and want a more rural area,” Spoerle said. “Cuba City is a nice, friendly town. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Spoerle has worked at Weber’s Meats for 42 years. He and his wife, Kathy, have three kids—Eric, Jackie and Chris—and

six grandchildren.
“Rick has meant so much to the summer rec program,” Cuba City Mayor Tom Gile said. “He is always there to help when it comes to the baseball season. If you need help with almost anything, Rick will be there with a smile and “let’s get it done” mind frame. We are lucky to have such a dedicated person be a part of the program.”

Editor's Note: This column will be a special addition to the Tri-County Press on a monthly basis. Look for each installment near the end of the month. All volunteers are recomended for the article by Mayor Tom Gile. If you have ideas for future volunteers in the community to be recognized, contact Gile at 608-744-3203.