By: Christopher Johnson
For generations of Clare softball players, Theodore “Ted” Longnecker was a familiar presence at the ballfield. Whether recruiting players, securing sponsors, organizing schedules, or rooting from the sidelines, Longnecker dedicated decades of his life to the sport and the community that surrounded it.
Soon, that dedication will be permanently recognized with the installation of a memorial at the Clare softball field, honoring a man whose influence helped shape local softball for more than three decades.
Born in Muskegon on Oct. 29, 1929, Longnecker came of age during the Great Depression before serving his country in the United States Navy. At 19 years old, he enlisted and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Leyte during the Korean War era. His military service took him across the globe, including time served in Japan and Korea, earning him the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and other campaign honors.
After returning home and starting a family, Longnecker developed a lifelong passion for fast-pitch softball. Following the death of his wife in 1964, he relocated to the Rosebush–Mount Pleasant area, where he spent several years coaching youth baseball and Little League teams. Those experiences would lay the groundwork for the role that ultimately defined much of his life.
When Longnecker moved to Clare in 1975, he founded the Clare Merchants softball team, beginning a 34-year commitment that transformed him into one of the community’s most recognizable figures in local athletics.
Each spring, Longnecker could be found visiting local businesses in search of sponsorships to support the team. His enthusiasm for softball was contagious. Business owners responded not simply because he asked, but because they understood the value he placed on giving players an opportunity to compete and represent their community.
Longnecker was also known for his eye for talent. He spent much of his time recruiting players and building competitive rosters, always striving to field a team that Clare residents could rally behind. Year after year, he succeeded in creating programs that brought athletes, families, and fans together around a shared love of the game.
Outside of softball, Longnecker worked at Delfield Equipment Company in Mount Pleasant before retiring. He remained active in his union and volunteered with organizations including United Way and Special Olympics, reflecting a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Yet those closest to him knew softball occupied a special place in his heart. Friends and family often described it not as a hobby, but as a calling. Through the Clare Merchants, Longnecker built relationships that extended far beyond the field and touched multiple generations of players.
He never missed a season.
Longnecker passed away on Feb. 14, 2018—Valentine’s Day. In his final hours, family members reassured him that the Clare Merchants would continue after his passing. That promise has endured. Today, the program continues under the leadership of Kerry Hensley, carrying forward the tradition Longnecker established decades ago.
The memorial also arrives at a time when slow-pitch softball no longer commands the participation numbers it once did. Across Michigan and much of the country, many local leagues have struggled with declining enrollment, shifting recreational interests, and the challenge of attracting younger generations to the sport. Fields that were once crowded several nights a week often see fewer teams and tournaments than they did during softball’s peak popularity.
For supporters of the game, the memorial is about more than honoring one individual. It is also a recognition of the role softball has played in building community. By preserving the story of Ted Longnecker and his decades of dedication, the memorial reinforces the sport’s lasting importance to Clare and serves as a reminder of the people who helped make local athletics a source of pride, friendship, and civic connection.
Ted was the father of Linda, James, Ted, Steve, Daniel, Jerry, Timothy, Rachelle, and Renee, all of whom were part of the life and legacy he built over the years.
The forthcoming memorial serves as a lasting reminder of that legacy. For those who knew him, Ted Longnecker was more than a coach, organizer, or sponsor recruiter. He was a Navy veteran, community volunteer, mentor, and tireless advocate for the game he loved.
With his name soon to be permanently recognized at the ballfield, future generations will have an opportunity to remember the man whose dedication helped make Clare softball what it is today.
