Avoyelles of yesteryear

Baseball has long been a cornerstone of life in Avoyelles Parish, bringing together families, friends, and entire communities on summer afternoons and weeknight games. Long before modern scoreboards and travel ball, local teams proudly took the field representing hometown businesses and employers that were deeply rooted in parish life.

These photographs, which ran in The Bunkie Record on Thursday, July 1, 1971, capture a time when baseball in Avoyelles Parish was played for pride, fellowship, and the love of the game, memories that continue to connect generations today.

To submit any Avoyelles Parish history from the past, email photo, information and contact news@avoyellestoday.com or come by the newspaper office at 208 N. Washington St. in Marksville.

Avoyelles Baseball Team (1971)

Members of the Avoyelles major little league baseball team, as featured in The Bunkie Record on July 1, 1971.

Pictured bottom row, from left are: - Kenneth Lindsay - Terry Ryland - Paxton McCoy - James Deshotel - Carl Jeansonne - Travis Hukins

Top row: - Steve Coulon - Lollie Griffin - (Mgr.) Orlin Hukins - Dale Jeasonne - Kenneth Dupuy - Larry Ivey

Mulhearn Furniture Baseball Team (1971)

Members of the Mulhearn Furniture major league baseball team, photographed for The Bunkie Record and published July 1, 1971.

Pictured front row, from left are: - Boo Venable - John Liledahl - Lonnie Lindsly - Gary Ingo - Bobby Gaspard

Second row: - Alan Manuel - Roger Steele - Mike Gremillion - Ted Bowman - Douglas Ducote

Third row: - Coach Rusty Lemoine - Manager David Manuel

General Insurance Baseball Team (1971)

Members of the General Insurance major league baseball team, as published in The Bunkie Record on Thursday, July 1, 1971.

Pictured front row, from left are: - Jimmy Levy - Mark Lalande - Jimmy Jeansonne - Steven Matthews - Carl Riche

Second row: - Brent Goudeau - Carl Shoun - Jimmy Roy - Joel Willson - Marshall Morrison - Scott Cazelot

Third row: - Phil Sharpe - David Willis - James Ponthier - Randy Ducote - Gerald Douget - Mark Williber

Back row: - Coaches Terry Miller - Ken Willis - James Willson