Milo Dailey Butte County Post staff

It's taken several years, help from sponsors and support of the city, but last week a new youth baseball field was officially dedicated and named for one of the strongest supporters of the sport in recent times.

The late Wes Wahlfeldt was among those battling to keep youth baseball and softball in Belle Fourche.

The new field is named for him even as the community's summer youth and teen baseball programs are rebuilding into solid programs.

Jane Garness, who had met Wes 25 years ago at a meeting designed to close down youth softball and baseball programs in the community, said he wasn't going to see baseball leave Belle Fourche.

"It became his passion," she told the youngsters, families and friends in the small grandstand behind the new field.

"It was Wes's drive to make it successful," she said.

Jason Lafayette, president of the baseball programs through age 12, said the hope now is to find funding for lights and a scoreboard to help Belle Fourche have facilities for evening games and to host area tournaments.

Wahlfeldt's family includes more than just fans.

Son Kyle is coaching young players and he has three youngsters who are playing the game while their grandmother, Sandi Wahlfeldt, watches their skills grow along with their teammates.