2016 MSBL Lifetime Achievement: Tom Evans Krause, John Linden

Tom Evans Krause, Puget Sound Senior Baseball League

Tom Evans Krause is the president of the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League, located in the Seattle-Tacoma area, and has been honored in 2016 by MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler as a recipient of the prestigious MSBL Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tom’s home town is Minneapolis and he currently resides in Lynnwood, Washington with his wife Nicole. They have two children: Andrew, who attended the University of Washington and is now a software engineer, and daughter Allison, who is currently a Biology major also at the University of Washington.

John Linden, Mid-Iowa Baseball League

John is busy playing and coaching for the 18+ Aces, the 25+ Oaks, the 35+ Bulldogs and the 45+ Grays in the league and plays in the 18+ and 50+ Fall Leagues.  He is also a mainstay in Arizona at the MSBL World Series and has been playing for the Des Moines Bruins in the 25-over division and the 55-over All-Star Baseball Academy for many years.  John is a busy guy who runs the Mid-Iowa MSBL league back home and for his efforts he has been inducted into the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner class.

“I have played and or managed in over 20 National MSBL tourneys in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Florida, 18 regional MSBL tourneys and over 40 MIBL tourneys over the years,” said Linden.  “This is my 16th year on the Mid-Iowa Men’s Baseball League board and my eighth as league commissioner.  My dance card is pretty full.”

John is also very civic minded and donated many hours and dollars to worthwhile causes around Iowa and across the country.

“This year I coached my 11th year for the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf (the camp is a week-long camp for hearing impaired 7-14 year old kids) and I have also been a “buddy” for the Miracle League.  The MIBL also hosted a Home Run Derby that raised funds for the Louisville Slugger Warriors.”

During John’s tenure as commissioner of the Mid-Iowa league they have contributed to ALS, CapCure, Louisville Slugger Warriors, Breast Cancer, American Heart Association, the Miracle League and various High School and College fields in their region.

“My wife is an 11 year Breast Cancer survivor and we celebrated our 36th anniversary this past summer,” explained Linden.  “My 27 year old son Tanner is also playing on the 25+ Bruins in Arizona with me and my daughter Kristina, 23, is an active fan of my Mid-Iowa Baseball teams.  I have been blessed with great teammates and some take charge Board members over the years.  Without their help, this award would not be possible.