'He revitalized youth baseball': MYBI dedicates complex to Kent Kostelecky

MARINETTE — Nearly 40 years ago, youth baseball in Marinette appeared to be on death’s door.

In 1987, Scott Paper Company made the decision to expand and thus needed to displace the Marinette youth baseball fields, sending the future of the sport into turmoil.

At the annual membership meeting for Marinette Little League, the then-President of Marinette Youth Baseball Inc. announced he’d be stepping down and informed the people gathered that due to trouble that organization had in finding leadership, the program would be likely to fold without a new President.

Despite having never coached baseball in his life, Kent Kostelecky stepped up and assumed a role that he went on to hold for over a decade, spending 15 years as President of MYBI before serving another 15 years on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Saying that Kostelecky saved youth baseball in Marinette is an understatement.

Marinette had eight Little League and four Babe Ruth squads utilizing just two fields when Kostelecky took over in 1987. Under his watchful eye, that number expanded from 12 teams to 53 throughout the 1990s. Kostelecky also introduced girls softball to the area during this time.

Kostelecky was instrumental in the development of the current complex used by youth teams and the Marinette Marines at Marinette High School, and now that complex will forever bear his name, as MYBI christened the facility “Kent Kostelecky Ball Park” as part of the MYBI Friendship tournament on Saturday.

Pam Daye read a letter from Dave Francour, a former standout on the diamond and member of the Marinette High School Hall of Fame, who succeeded Kostelecky as MYBI President.

“When you say ‘Marinette youth baseball’, you think of Kent Kostelecky,” the letter said. “Kent’s commitment to the youth of Marinette in both baseball and softball is a tremendous accomplishment.”

“Kent was a very positive influence on this community. He revitalized youth baseball,” added former Marinette High School baseball coach John LaCourt. “It was about to be disbanded, and he did a great job with his leadership. He spent 15 years as President of youth baseball, and because of him is why we get to have the complex that we have.”

Kent Kostelecky Ballpark has seen its fair share of classic games and has hosted both the Wisconsin state tournament, as well as the prestigious Ohio Valley tournament in 2014.

Teams from Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio descended on the facility and came away knowing that they enjoyed a first-class experience.

“Kent had the foresight to envision what the future of this new facility would mean and the impact it would have on our area youth,” Francour’s letter said. “Kent enjoyed showing off this tremendous complex, and was equally proud of the economic benefit that hosting these tournaments would bring to Marinette.”

It’s often said that behind every good man is a better woman, and Francour was quick to heap praise on Kostelecky’s wife, Donna, who donated untold hours of her own time to ensure the success of baseball and softball in Marinette.

“MYBI would like to acknowledge the countless hours that Kent’s wife, Donna, donated to the establishment and operation of our concession stand and the overall assisting, whenever necessary, to make sure that operations ran smoothly,” he wrote.

Kostelecky volunteered as Treasurer for Marinette Lions Club, was an active member of the Marinette Moose Lodge, served as co-chair of the Logging and Heritage Festival, and was a key figure in development of the Marinette REC Center.

“Not only was he involved in baseball, but he was the Recreation Director for a number of years and spearheaded a lot of things in the community of Marinette, including the Heritage Festival,” LaCourt said. “I miss him as a friend, and as a leader in Marinette.”

Kostelecky passed away in January at the age of 70, leaving behind an indelible mark on the history of Marinette.

“The entire Kostelecky family should be proud of the countless hours dedicated to leadership of MYBI under their dad,” Francour said. “Kent will be greatly missed by the Marinette youth baseball and softball family, but memories of his accomplishments will continue on.”