Doug Kaltenbach

Persistent - continuing steadfastly or firmly in some purpose or course of action, especially in spite of opposition or difficulty - describes 2024 Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame inductee Douglas Kaltenbach to a tee. And not just a batting tee.

For 30 years, 1987-2017, Doug was the head coach of the highly successful Westfield Wolverines Varsity Baseball Team. His 476 wins is the third most victories in Chautauqua County baseball history. With only 154 losses, his winning percentage was over 75%.

His teams won 14 Chautauqua County Athletic Association division titles, with 6 of those titles being in a row from 2011-2017. During the period of 2014-2017, Westfield strung together a record setting 55 league victories in a row.

He skippered the Wolverines to 8 Section VI final game appearances and won Section VI titles in 2015 and 2016. The 2015 squad was NYSPHSAA Far West Regional Champions and competed in the New York State finals, where they finished second in New York state.

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Kaltenbach was named a Chautauqua County Athletic Association division Coach of the Year 13 times and was chosen as the Post-Journal Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2015. He was recognized in 2014 by the Chautauqua County Baseball Showcase. Persistence describes Doug off the baseball diamond, too.

In February 2011, Doug sustained a serious, life changing injury. While using a miter saw, he severely cut his arm. Despite the many daily challenges that came along with the injury, including five surgeries and intensive occupational therapy for a year and a half, Doug continued teaching high school art and coaching. His longtime assistant coaches, Don Mansfield and Dan Martin, stepped in to help Doug with running the physical aspects of coaching baseball, while Doug remained instructing and leading the team. Together, they led Westfield to an undefeated CCAC league championship and Section VI final.

Throughout this experience, Doug taught his players and students the value of having a positive outlook and being persistent. It was these attributes that made Doug successful in the classroom and on the baseball field.

Doug is a 1978 graduate of Brocton Central School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia. Now retired from teaching and baseball, Doug resides in Fredonia with his wife, Jane, and daughter, Olivia.

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Memorabilia

Photographs

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The Westfield Wolverines pose for a photo with their Section VI Class D championship plaque and blue patches after defeating North Collins, 5-0, at Diethrick Park in Jamestown. May 2015.

Members of the Westfield baseball team are pictured after they defeated Section V’s Webster Christian, 10-1, in the 2015 NYSPHSAA Class D Far West Regional game at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.

Doug Kaltenbach, David Grayson, Chris Catalano, Max Bates, Eric Fermier, Mike Poletto, Simon Willams at Myrtle Beach. 2017.

Dan Martin, Doug Kaltenbach and Don Mansfield.

Doug Kaltenbach, right, pictured with assistant coaches Dan Martin, left and Don Mansfield, center.

Doug Kaltenbach coaching his team.

Doug Kaltenbach coaching at third base.

Doug Kaltenbach and the team.

Doug Kaltenbach's art classroom at WACS.

Doug Kaltenbach at the Westfield baseball facility.

Nolan Hunt and Doug Kaltenbach.

At the 2024 CSHOF induction are front row: Don Mansfield, Doug Kaltenbach, Mike Poletto and Jonathan Wilson. Back row: Nick Bertrando, Max Bates, Brent Schuster, Brock Schuster, and Brandon Johnson.

Publications

transcribed publications

Teska, Simon. "Team Chemistry Helps No.1 Westfield Compile 15-0 Record." Post-Journal (Jamestown), May 22, 2008.
Harvey, Craig."More than just a game." Dunkirk Observer Today, March 20, 2011.
"Finally." Observer (Dunkirk), May 23, 2013.
"Kaltenbach gets 400th win." Observer (Dunkirk), April 4, 2014.
"Wolves make fifth straight trip to Sectional finals." Observer (Dunkirk), May 29, 2015.
Harvey, Craig. "Championship Saturday." Observer (Dunkirk), May 31, 2015.
"Relaxation is key." Observer (Dunkirk), June 4, 2015.
Harvey, Craig. "Westfield ready for Far West Regional." Observer (Dunkirk), June 6, 2015.
"Persistence pays off" Observer (Dunkirk), June 11, 2015.
"Making History." Observer (Dunkirk), June 12, 2015.
Harvey, Craig. "Dream comes to an end." Observer (Dunkirk), June 14, 2015.
"Ready to defend its title." Observer (Dunkirk), May 22, 2016.
Harvey, Craig. "Wolves heading to finals again." Observer (Dunkirk), May 27, 2016.
Harvey, Craig. "Back to back champions." Observer (Dunkirk), May 29, 2016.
"Wolverines starting to feel right at home at Russell E. Diethrick Park." Observer (Dunkirk), June 4, 2016.
Crandall, Cody. "Big Shoes To Fill." Post-Journal (Jamestown), March 29, 2017.
Feniello, John. "Westfield Reaches Milestone." Post-Journal (Jamestown), April 26, 2017.
Harvey, Craig. "Kaltenbach’s stellar career comes to a close." Observer (Dunkirk), June 25, 2017.
Harvey, Craig. "Pitching gem." Observer (Dunkirk), June 8, 2020.
Harvey, Craig. "State-bound." Observer (Dunkirk), June 9, 2020.
Harvey, Craig. "One win short." Observer (Dunkirk), June 10, 2020.

Videos

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