Passing of Former SBRL Coach and Board Member Ed Schimler

Former Springfield Babe Ruth League coach and board member Edwin "Ed" Schimler passed away on April 18, 2021.  

Ed managed Springfield Babe Ruth League teams from 1985-1996, and served for a number of years on its Board of Directors. He was the first of three generations in his family to coach and play for Springfield Babe Ruth including his sons, Nace and Mathew Schimler and grandson, Brent Nachison. Ed’s love of baseball started while growing up in Mount Vernon, NY and after high school, he continued pitching for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point where he earned a degree in Marine Engineering.

Like most everything in Ed’s life, baseball was about the details with practice and preparation being paramount to success. Ed coached a team-first philosophy, respect for opponents and the game of baseball and believed that all players should have the opportunity to play, contribute and excel. With field time limited, Ed installed a pitching mound in his backyard so players could come over in the evenings and on weekends to practice. The many lessons he taught on the baseball field extended well beyond the game that helped shape his life and, through Ed, the lives of so many others in the Springfield community.

Ed is survived and deeply missed by his biggest fans including his beloved wife, Sandra Schimler, his sons Nace Schimler (Susan) and Mathew Schimler (Kelley), and daughter Laura Nachison (David), five grandchildren, Brent and Megan Nachison, Jack, Brady and Peju Schimler.

Ed’s impact on Springfield Babe Ruth baseball and the community will continue. The family asks that those interested honoring Ed join them in making memorial contributions to the Springfield Babe Ruth League that will be used to support registration for players with financial need and ensure that all players will have the opportunity to play and learn from the game he taught so many.

To donate to support players with financial need, please send a check payable to the Springfield Babe Ruth League, with "Ed Schimler Memorial Fund" in the memo section to the Springfield Babe Ruth League, PO Box 2712, Springfield, VA  22152-9998.