Fred Zech

Class of 2024

Outfielder – Lafayette Lakers 1968-69, 72-78, 83-94; Lafayette Indians 1970              

Player/Manager – Lafyette Lakers 1983-93                        

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The CRBL, like every amateur baseball organization, relies heavily on individuals who are willing to devout their time and efforts to keep its history and traditions alive and well.  Player and manager Fred Zech of the Lafayette Lakers was one of those dedicated people. 

During a CRBL career that spanned 25 years, Fred was synonymous with the Lakers of Lafayette, first as a player, then as a player/manager. When he began his CRBL playing days with the Lakers in 1968, Zech primarily was in the outfield.  Enjoying his best season in 1972, Fred hit .367 (22 for 60), tied for the league lead in home runs with 3, and led outright in RBIs with 17, while participating in that year’s CRBL All-Star game.  Over his career, the right-handed hitter notched three different seasons hitting over .300, with his personal high occurring in his standout 1972 campaign.

In total, as a player, Zech was a part of five WBA qualifiers (1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982), and three WBA Finals teams (1980, 1981, 1982).  Yet, it was as a player/manager that Fred had his biggest impact.  Often coaching third base while wearing a colorful wig, the Lafayette Skipper led the free-spirited and aggressively running Lakers for 11 seasons (1983 to 1993).  Under his leadership, the Lafayette Crew qualified for the WBA in 1992, losing in the regional final game, 14-8 at Augusta to the host Augusta Athletics.  In that contest, the skipper rapped a solo homerun to help the Lakers stay in the game against the heavy-hitting Athletics.

Upon induction, Zech’s all-time player rankings can be found in seasons played (tied for 23rd) and games played (47th).  Managerially, he is ranked all-time in seasons managed (tied for 11th) and games managed (12th).

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Managerial Record:              G         W          L           Pct.       Div Titles       League CS           CSGApp

      184       48        136         .261              0                       0                          0       

 

(WBA)             App     G   W L Pct. Final 8’s        WBA CS

                                            1              2         1         1          .500             0                    0