For nine years, the Nolan Keane Baseball Classic has been held in Kewanee. The event started in 2014 with just nine teams and one division and with each passing year, it has grown.
On Friday, June 16, 68 teams will play baseball games on 11 different fields in Kewanee, Annawan and Neponset. The three-day tournament brings in visitors from all over the state of Illinois and even Iowa.
The idea to start the tournament was Michelle Welgat’s, said her husband, Nicholas Welgat. Together, the Welgats founded the tournament in memory of and as a way to honor Nolan S. Keane.
Born and raised in Kewanee, Nolan was an exceptional baseball player. According to the Nolan Keane Baseball website, Nolan seemed destined to play professional ball.
“His hard work and dedication to the sport resulted in him being a standout NCAA Division I baseball player at Missouri State University,” the website reads.
But Nolan was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme in 2008. He fought the cancer for several years before losing his battle on April 4, 2013.
“Every member of their family loved baseball, so we decided to put on a tournament,” said Nicholas Welgat, police chief for Kewanee.
The funds raised from the annual event goes to assist area families, whose children require medical care and treatments, with gas, food and other things the families might need. The memorial fund also provides children with items they might want. In October of last year, the Nolan Keane Memorial Fund gifted a swingset to a local child and his siblings.
Nicholas Welgat said the fund has been able to provide local families with over $25,000 in assistance since its inception in 2014. Each year, the tournament raises between $5000 to $8000, he said.
On Friday, June 16 at 5:45 pm, the first of 125 games will begin, said Welgat.
“The best way to support the cause is to buy a t-shirt,” he said.
A t-shirt stand will be set up at the Oasis Family Aquatic Center at Northeast Park in Kewanee, and 100% of the profits goes to the memorial fund.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday evening and on June 17 and 18, play will begin at 8 am.
The Kewanee Park District provides the Kewanee baseball diamonds at both Northeast and Windmont parks for the tournament, as well as opens the swimming pool to many of the players.
Executive Director of Parks, Andrew Dwyer, said that the park district will prep the Kewanee park facilities and provide necessary labor for the event at no charge.
Welgat said the tournament not only benefits Kewanee families and youth but the community as well.
“This tournament that started with just a few youth baseball teams has grown into a massive three-day event that brings 700 baseball players and several thousand fans to the Kewanee area to enjoy baseball and raise money for a good cause,” he said.
Those visitors will bring money into Kewanee and boost the economy, but Welgat said he couldn’t do it without the help and support of his community.
“Over the years, we have had many community members and businesses step forward to the cause and help us continue to grow our mission,” said Welgat.
More information about the Nolan Keane Classic can be found online at nolankeanebaseball.com. You can also like and follow their Facebook Page, Nolan Keane Baseball Classic.
**This content has been edited to correct the name of the Facebook page.
