At the age of 95, Jame Beckum's life came to an end on Nov. 11. His impact extended far beyond Milwaukee, leaving a lasting mark on the city and its youth. Beckum, a Milwaukee native, was the founder of the Beckum-Stapleton Little League and dedicated over five decades to coaching and working with young athletes.

Beyond Baseball: Fostering Character and Opportunities

For Beckum, the league was more than just a place for baseball. It was a platform to nurture character and offer opportunities. At the tender age of 19, he launched Running Rebels, a youth organization that started as a basketball league and evolved into a comprehensive mentorship program. Through his leadership, countless players were able to reach high school, collegiate, and professional levels.Victor Barnett, the executive director of Running Rebels, vividly remembers meeting Beckum when he was 15. He played in the Beckum-Stapleton Little League, which provided thousands of young men with the chance to play baseball while learning discipline, teamwork, and self-respect. "He was a special person to me," Barnett said. "He was very inspiring. He would find ways to bring out the best in a young person." Beckum had an extraordinary ability to make every child feel seen and valued, regardless of the number of players who passed through the program. "He knew things about me as a person," Barnett added. "It just amazed me. So many thousands of young people he interacted with, and for him to know that I needed to strengthen my arm. I could play really good, but I needed to strengthen my arm. It just touched me and amazed me to know that this man who helped so many knew personal things about me and sometimes the struggles I was going through and was there for me."Beckum's influence was so profound that Barnett, at just 19, launched Running Rebels. This youth organization continues to support Milwaukee youth in various aspects, from athletics to navigating the juvenile justice system. "To be able to be around Mr. Beckum the way I was helped me realize what I wanted to do moving forward," Barnett said.Through his leadership, Beckum's impact was felt far and wide. His name became synonymous with Milwaukee's north side, where a park was named in his honor. For decades, young athletes played on the fields he helped create, carrying forward the lessons and values he instilled. "It started with Mr. Beckum and look what he did," Barnett said. "I feel like I started Running Rebels, but now it's a whole bunch of people fighting the same fight to save lives."