Year Inducted – 1986

He spent more than 50 years on the Akron sandlots, playing, managing and providing opportunities for the young players to get a good start in baseball. As a shortstop/third baseman, Rife proved to be an outstanding player in the Goodyear Heights youth leagues and with Goodyear Local in A League ball. After a few years of softball, he moved into managing baseball. His Post# 209 teams replaced the Akron Yankees as the top Legion team in the area, winning four League titles and three Legion tournament championships. From Legion ball, Paul started to bring in his former players to the tough AA League with Bittinger Tire, Three Steps Cafe and Krispy Kreme teams. Although not winning any titles, Rife’s teams were always a contender for the crown and played the “spoiler” role on numerous occasions against the established veteran teams. Following AA League action, Paul returned to coaching youth leagues in the Ellet area and was rewarded when his Class D team captured two championships.