“Mr. Baseball” to local residents, Les David’s involvement with the national pastime in Muskegon covered a span of more than 60 seasons.  A major league scout for 47 years, he worked for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds.  David also served as president of the United Baseball League from 1966 until his death in 1988.

David was the originator and driving force behind the Marsh Field Improvement Fund Tournament hosted annually in Muskegon.  Serving as caretaker of the city-owned baseball diamond at Peck Street and Laketon Avenue, David poured time and money into the site.  Les not only kept the grounds in playable shape, but his efforts were directly responsible for the electric scoreboard, lighting system, modern restrooms, rebuilt dugouts, and aluminum bleachers among other improvements to the facility.

At the age of 18, David first became involved in baseball in Muskegon.  A catcher and third baseman with a number of local teams, he officially hung up the cleats in 1935.  Over a span of 50 years behind the bench, David managed the Muskegon Pepsi’s, the Muskegon Civics, and the Muskegon Zephyrs of the United Baseball League, among others.  His greatest coaching triumph came in August of 1967 when the Pepsi’s defeated the Grand Rapids Sullivans for the state National Baseball Congress title, and the right to represent Michigan in the NBC nationals at Wichita, Kansas.

In 1979, he was honored locally for his years of service to baseball in Greater Muskegon.  One year later, David was one of six baseball boosters from Michigan and Ohio honored before an exhibition game at Tiger Stadium for his contributions to amateur baseball.