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Old Timer's Soccer Association of Maryland

Old Timers Soccer Association of Maryland A History of The Old Timers Soccer Association of Maryland, Inc. There is little documentation relating to the association’s early beginnings. The concept is believed to have originated with early associates in Philadelphia and it was they who provided the format of which the present association was founded. It has been said that in 1951 J. Eugene “Gene” Ringsdorf, Paul Trautner and Charles “Spike” Zeiler were the first to propose an assembly of soccer enthusiasts to form a Maryland association. This first assembly met in Baltimore and chose Frank Heinle to be their first president. In 1952 the first Hall of Fame Dinner was held in Highlandtown at the Santa Maria K of C Hall. This dinner was attended by many of Maryland’s soccer notables and was reported to be “quite a bash”. Subsequent dinners were held each year until 1957 after which they were suspended for reasons that remain unclear to this day. There apparently were differences between key members of the soccer community that prevented selections for the Hall of Fame, however, the association’s members continued to meet socially at different locations in East Baltimore including Buettners Restaurant, Ikendrantz Restaurant and the Baltimore Kicker’s Club. Traditionally the association has held regular membership meetings twice a year. It is not certain what the original qualifications for membership were, however, some type of recommendation was probably required and prospective members had to be at least 35 years of age. The association functioned more like a club and there is little evidence of any formal structure. Several promotional activities were held including matches arranged between high school athletes in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

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