The Belmont Heights Little League (League) had its origins in 1967, after the tumultuous riots due to the police shooting and killing of Black teenager Martin Chambers. And in 1971 the forced closing of Tampa’s only two predominantly Black high schools George S. Middleton and Howard W. Blake.
At that time in East Tampa, there existed a “Dads Club” called the “Middleton Ye Old Timers”. This club, comprised of Middleton High School alumni Ben Rouse, Billy Felder, Alex Cottman, Robert Dawson and Grover Stevens. Together, they became the forerunner of the Belmont Heights Little League.
