Frank Cembellin, who was instrumental in the development of
youth baseball in Hollister, was elected to the International Babe
Ruth Hall of Fame last month.
HOLLISTER
Frank Cembellin was just a little shocked.
About a month ago, the Hollister native received a letter from Babe Ruth League, Inc. Written by Steven Tellefsen, president and CEO of the youth baseball league, the letter, in short, announced Cembellin’s induction into the International Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame.
“When I opened it up, I had to look at the upper left to see if it was my name or somebody else,” said Cembellin, who now resides in Brookings, Ore.
“I got my reward working with the kids. I loved working with the kids.”
Cembellin, 85, was unanimously elected during the league’s annual Board of Directors Meeting on Nov. 20, and joins a distinguished list of baseball names like Ford Frick, Vada Pinson and Vernon “Lefty” Gomez.
Cembellin is the first inductee from San Benito County, and just the 11th from California to be inducted since 1968.
“I was flabbergasted, excited,” he said. “I did it all for the kids, not for the award.
“But it’s a great honor.”
The news of Cembellin’s induction has come at a difficult time for his family, however. Cembellin’s wife of 60 years passed away last Friday. Gladys “Glo” Cembellin taught Physical Education at Hollister High for 30 years, and worked in county recreation as well.
The two raised four children together, including Mike Cembellin, who is the director of sports medicine at Santa Clara University.
“I was really appreciative, but with my wife passing away, I’ve got to absorb it very slowly,” Cembellin said.
Although Cembellin himself was taken aback upon hearing the news of his induction, his inclusion to the Hall becomes no surprise with one look at his stunning record of contribution.
He is a builder, holding positions such as carpenter, contractor and land developer, and is considered to be one of two “Founding Fathers” of Babe Ruth Baseball in San Benito County, along with Fred Marentis.
“Forty-six years of volunteering your time,” said Steve Ferranti, president of San Benito Babe Ruth. “That speaks for itself. He’s very deserving.”
Following his return from World War II, where he served as sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, Cembellin became immediately involved in the city recreation department as well as community affairs, and was part of the committee for the city’s courthouse. He also spent five years on the Hollister Planning Commission and two years on the PTA at San Benito High School.
Teaming up with Andy Hardin – whose name adorns Andy Hardin Stadium on the SBHS campus – Cembellin helped establish the Hollister City and County Recreation Commissions, which promoted youth baseball in the area.
In 1953-54, Cembellin helped build three baseball fields – two Little League and one Babe Ruth – upon 37 acres of donated land from the Somavia and Renz families, an area now known as Veterans Memorial Park.
“We just got back from the war and we wanted to do something for the young people,” said Cembellin, who, along with Marentis, were instrumental in the league’s development.
Just two years later, between 1956-57, Cembellin helped organize the Babe Ruth program in San Benito County, and even donated his time to help build the concession stand, the dugouts, the announcing stand and the barbecue pits, among other things.
On April 24, 1957, Cembellin and Marentis organized and chartered with Babe Ruth Baseball.
“Frank Cembellin was involved with our program for over 46 years,” Tellefsen said in a statement. “He was truly a dedicated volunteer and played a major role in the success the organization enjoys today.”
Following the league’s charter, Cembellin took on several more titles between 1959 and 1974, including that of coach and manager, president of the San Benito County Babe Ruth League, tournament director, District 3 area manager and honorary state tournament director. In 1975 as district director, Cembellin was one of the original signees of the incorporation papers, which divided Northern California State Babe Ruth Inc., and formed Central California State Babe Ruth Inc.
“That was so long ago, I forget about some of that stuff,” Cembellin said.
Cembellin’s record continues, though. He was District 2 commissioner in 1976, tournament advisor for the Pacific Southwest 13-year-old Regional Committee in 1977, served as assistant state commissioner for the 16-18-year-old program and served as tournament director/commissioner for 11 state tournaments from 1978-88.
In 1986, the Frank Cembellin MVP award was created, given out to the most outstanding player of the state tournament.
“He’s such a beautiful person,” said Cembellin’s sister, Dot Lemos, who still resides in Hollister. “Such a beautiful heart, loves children and he went out of his way to be with kids.
“He’s got a big heart and he’s always been there for all of us.”
Although he resides in Oregon, Cembellin’s extensive record of accomplishments continued after moving away from Hollister. He served as a board member for District 3 in Brookings, Ore., from 1992-96, and was tournament director for six regional tournaments from 1997-2002.
It wasn’t until 2002 did Cembellin retire from Babe Ruth Baseball, though, some 46 years after getting his start within the youth organization. His last position held was assistant Pacific Southwest regional commissioner.
“It is a proud moment to have a person of his caliber inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Tellefsen said.
Said Cembellin, “I didn’t do it for the glory. I just like working with kids.”
