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Sautter Field Dedicated at McCarthy Park
Author: mt43news staff reporter

MT43 News Staff Reporter

The ballfield is now called Sautter Field, named in honor of two of Townsend’s most accomplished baseball players.

That would be Jack Sautter and his son Gregg. Friday afternoon, April 17, President of Townsend Youth Baseball John Bliele dedicated the field in front of the Sautter family, who had traveled from Missoula, Great Falls and other parts, to receive accolades to their loved ones. In a speech, Bliele gave homage to the two men, pointing out their influence on what Townsend has today as Youth Baseball. Two team members presented Gregg’s widow, Karen, with a bouquet of white roses.

Bliele told of Jack, born in 1930, as a young man passionate about baseball. Jack pursued it professionally and was drafted by the York, Pennsylvania White Roses. Known as “Hollywood” to his teammates, Jack made his first professional win on May 15th, 1951.

As a dedicated father and citizen, he and his wife Doreen had four children, all of whom grew up in Townsend, where they played in the newly formed Little League teams in the early 1960’s. According to Jack’s daughter, Susan, both of her brothers and she played on those teams with her dad as coach. She later would play fast ball for a City AA league in Missoula.

To support his family, Jack ran the Rex Theater at night while working as a mail carrier and serving his church in the choir. He sang at too many-to-count funerals and weddings in Townsend. He, among others, worked to build and dedicate Indian Creek Campground, near the Missouri River on Highway 287.

All the while, his son Gregg, born 1954, played on little league teams while Jack coached. Later, Gregg coached those teams as well. Gregg continued his baseball career playing Legion ball with the Helena Senators and finally played at Montana State University (now UM), where he would run the club baseball team, according to Bliele.

Both men have since passed away- Jack in 2016 and Gregg in 2025, Bliele continued, but the two men would be pleased for the honor. “We are opening a chapter of our community’s story…Let’s play ball!” he ended.

The Townsend teams played the Livingston Park County Rangers. Livingston teams won 17-4 with Junior Varsity 4-0.

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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer; Townsend Star photo provided.
Image 1 Caption: Susan Sautter Ritter and Karen Sautter cut the ribbon, dedicating the ballfield to Jack and Gregg Sautter. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Teammates Lucas Bleile and Douglas Boone present a bouquet of white roses to Karen Sautter. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: John Bliele presents his tribute to Jack and Gregg Sautter, father and son, who contributed their time and talents to Broadwater County baseball. Looking on is the Sautter family from left Gary Ritter, Ben Sautter, Susan Sautter Ritter, Kyla, Jade and Karen Sautter.
Image 4 Caption: Broadwater High School baseball team at Dedication for Sautter ballfield. The team played Livingston's Park County Rangers in the first game of the season.
Image 5 Caption: Townsend Star photo of Jack's boys baseball team in the 1960's. Among those shown is his son Gregg and Jack, their coach.