Ipswich mourning the loss of Musketeers legends

A MUCH-loved pitcher with a deceptive knuckle ball.

A club legend who was never intimidated.

Ipswich Musketeers Baseball Club players, officials and supporters are mourning the loss of two great characters - Dan "Luddy" Ludwig and Gerry "Kel'' Kelly - who served them with pride, loyalty and a sense of fun.

Luddy was a popular player for many years after moving from America in 1965 with the American Air Force based at Amberley.

He found his way to the Musketeers club at Spring Street, East Ipswich, with many of his mates where he started playing his beloved baseball.

Luddy fulfilled many roles and could play all positions, sharing in Ipswich Musketeers A-grade premierships.

However, it was his pitching that Dan will probably be best remembered for, as former club manager Brian "Ziggy Zeidler recalls.

"Catchers Boxer McDonald, Bruce Ogden and Ken Martin Jnr said when Luddy threw his famous knuckle ball not only the batters had trouble but they would have to be on their toes. It moved everywhere,'' Zeidler said.

In 1967, Luddy was part of the first Musketeers grand final team in A and B Grade.

He married Lynne in 1969.

Dan and Lynne went back to America before they returned to start a new life in Ipswich when he was discharged.

In 1971, Dan was picked in Queensland teams.

He could play any position from catcher, infield and outfield, designated hitter or pinch runner.

Right-handed thrower Ludwig could start a game, come on as relief pitcher, or close out a match with the Musketeers leading.

Dan's pitching was described as "cagey, with continuous speed changes and with more pitches than The Louvre (the landmark museum in France).''

In the 1980s, Dan was still playing at a high level with the likes of representative Musketeers players Paul Coogan, Peter Vogler, Peter Wood and Jon Campbell.

Dan died on Sunday night.

Zeidler said his life-time mate was booked to play Masters baseball in South Australia for his adopted team Broken Hill.

"At 70 years and nine months Dan was incredible,'' he said.

Dan was born in Whittemore Iowa, USA, in 1946. His heritage was Sioux Indian.

He was naturalized and became a great Queenslander and Aussie.

Dan also ran a TV repair business.

Life-time friends Ken and Kath Hogan were very close to Dan and Lynne, sharing holidays and a lot of time together.

"All of us loved Dan,'' said Zeidler and his wife Robyn.

"He was a friend and brother. He treated everyone the same.''

Dan is survived by his wife Lynne, five children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

Great player

Gerry Kelly (left in the picture below) is also being fondly remembered this week after passing away aged 88.

He was a Queensland and Australian player inducted into Baseball Queensland's Hall of Fame.

Zeidler was 20 when Gerry came to Musketeers from All Stars in 1965.

"Gerry was 38, said to be washed up by his Brisbane club after playing for Queensland and Australia,'' Zeidler said.

"Musketeers welcomed him with open arms and in 1967 they won the first grand final against Eagles.

"Gerry was instrumental in Musketeers win, being a great batter and outfielder. He won many batting trophies.

"Legend has it Gerry hit many home runs from Spring Street to Newtown Street over the right field fence.''

Zeidler said one of those massive home runs went over Newtown Street into the bakery across the road.

In the team with Gerry were players like Keith Suthers (Snr), Boxer McDonald, Ken Hogan, Dan Ludwig, Lindsay Kamp and Nev Brockie.

Gerry is survived by his  wife Betty, five children and grandchildren.

His funeral is at the Centenary Memorial Gardens at Sumner, at 10am on September 8.

Victory ashes

ONE of Dan Ludwig's famous moments was when Ipswich Musketeers won a 1988 premiership playing at their Spring Street baseball grounds. The club was planning to relocate to their current base at Tivoli.

Dan was among the players, including Jon Campbell and Clive Jones, who sat on the mound after creating the Musketeers ashes following the victory.

Former club president Roger Overell relived the story at the club's 50th anniversary function in February, 2005.

"We had won another premiership and part of the celebration was to burn the old bar, or "boozer'' as it had been christened,'' Overell said. "So with much ceremony, the boozer was dismantled and deposited on the pitching mound where it was reduced to a pile of ash.''

Unfortunately, the sale of the ground fell through and the club had to rebuild the canteen before finally moving to Church Street at Tivoli in 1989.

"That was Dan all over,'' long-time friend Brian Zeidler said of Dan's part in such club antics.