🕗 M-F 8:30am-3:30pm 📞 (218) 363-2022
Russ Nyvall Field
Open 7 Days a Week • 6AM - 10PM
This beautiful facility is located just off Highway 5, west of downtown Longville. The ballfield is maintained by the Longville City Maintenance Department with help from volunteers in the community and the greater Longville area. The field is open for public use during the regular season, except during league play.
The stone monument dedication reads: This ballfield is dedicated in the memory of Russ [Nyvall], the man who was the most instrumental in organizing youth baseball in the Longville area for many years. His dedication to the game, both coaching and playing, will be long remembered by his players, family, and friends.
" Two hands while you're learning "
Russ Nyvall
Youth T-Ball League
June - July
AGES
4-6 years
Boys and girls
COST
$25 / child
$40 / family
PRACTICE
Tuesdays
6 - 7 PM
BRING
Glove & helmet
Water bottle & shoes
THANK-YOU TO THE TEAM SPONSORS
Shirts and hats are provided for the team using sign up fees and generous donations from local sponsors. If you would like to learn more about becoming a team sponsor, please reach out to the team administrator.
Men's Softball League
May - August
COST
Free to join
PRACTICE
Fridays at 6PM
LEAGUE
Pine River League
BRING
Water bottle & shoes
THANK-YOU TO THE TEAM SPONSORS
Softballs, bats, gloves, and jerseys are provided for the Longville team through generous donations from local sponsors. For more information about joining the team, or if you would like to learn more about becoming a team sponsor, please reach out to the team administrator or the coach.
History of Longville Baseball
George Englehart organized the first baseball team in Longville in the early 1900s during the logging boom era, and baseball quickly became part of Longville's strong tradition of community recreation and gathering.
Florence Nyvall was a prominent community leader involved in civic improvements, helping to establish the Longville Welfare Society that would eventually come to be known as the Riverside Cemetery Association in the late 1920's. Click Here to Learn More About the Riverside Cemetery.
Florence Nyvall's son, Russell "Russ" Nyvall, carried on his family's tradition of community service through baseball. Today, Russ is best remembered for more than a decade coaching Longville's youth. But from 1946-1950 Russ was the local baseball star in Longville. He was pitcher, first baseman, and catcher for the Longville team.
They say out of town teams drafted him to play for them at tournament times, because every time Russ would hit the ball, it would go so far into the woods they’d never find it!
The Origins of Turtle Races
Did you know? Russ Nyvall is also credited with introducing the Longville Turtle Races back in 1967 after he and several of the local men in town originally tossed around the concept.
Russ noticed that the kids visiting Longville with their families had nothing to do, so he borrowed an idea he had heard about and adapted it to Main Street. Now a longstanding tradition for over 50 years, the Turtle Races in Longville provide a great family activity for vacationing guests in and around the area.
Over the years the races have become so important that a resolution was passed in 1989 by the Minnesota House of Representatives declaring Longville, Minnesota the Turtle Racing Capital of the World!
For more information about the Turtle Races and Turtle Fest, including Race Schedules and Turtle Laws, please contact the Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce or check out their website by clicking the provided link.
