Francis Riel

Francis James Riel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5'10", Weight 175 lbs.
• School Massachusetts State College, Boston University
• High School Turners Falls High School

• Born November 1, 1914 in Shelburne Falls, MA USA
• Died July 1, 2007 in Monterey, TN USA

BR Minors Page

Biographical Information

Francis James Riel was a right-handed relief pitcher who played professional baseball for the Sacramento Solons (1-2, 6.40) and Rochester Red Wings (1-1) in 1940. A native of Shelburne Falls, MA, he attended Massachusetts State College, where he was a nine-letter athlete in three sports and made two all-Massachusetts teams.

During World War II, Riel worked in physical conditioning and rehabilitation for the military. Following his wartime service, he worked in physical education at the Fort Devens division of Massachusetts State College. By 1951, he was backfield coach and head of the intramural program at Middle Tennessee State College. He later became director of health, physical education, and recreation and head baseball coach at the college.

Riel earned A.B. and M.S. degrees from Massachusetts State College and later completed a doctorate at Boston University in 1951. He was the head baseball coach at Middle Tennessee State College in 1956. He died in Monterey, TN in 2007.