By Esteban Fernandez, Times West Virginian
RIVESVILLE — It all started for want of a baseball field.
In 1981, Jim Hershman decided to run for Rivesville Town Council. A ballfield bloc had formed, with the intent of winning office so they could build a little league field. However, the pro-baseball faction was short one man, so in stepped Hershman.
“We run and we got elected,” Hershman said. “The first thing we did we built the Greentown Ballfield up on a hill. And that’s been in existence now for some 40 years more or less. That’s how it started.”
The Greentown Ballfield turned out to be a totem of sorts for Hershman, which also marks how long Hershman has served the town as a member of the council. West Virginia State Sen. Mike Caputo, D-13, recognized Hershman’s 40 years-plus of service to Rivesville Tuesday evening with a senate citation. In 1981, Hershman ran alongside his friends Jim Howvalt, Chuck Westfall, Kenny Stoudemire and Mark Dorsey. Hershman would prove to have the most longevity, even serving as town mayor and treasurer.
Hershman has multiple successes on council.
