Kaltenbach’s persistence showed on, off the field | News, Sports, Jobs

DOUG KALTENBACH

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the biography of Doug Kaltenbach, one of nine inductees in the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. The other inductees are Karen Bakewell, Daniel Bryner, Cheryl Burns, Tom D’Angelo, Rod Maloy, Carlene Sluberski, Karen Tellinghuisen and Judy Young. These nine individuals will be formally inducted at the CSHOF’s 42nd induction banquet on Presidents’ Day, Feb.19. Tickets are available at the CSHOF, 15 W. 3rd St., Jamestown; at the Jock Shop, 10 Harrison St., Jamestown; at Matt’s News, 93 E. 3rd St., Dunkirk; by calling banquet chairman Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991; or online at https://www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org/.

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

For 30 years, 1987-2017, he 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 six of those titles coming in succession from 2011-2017. During the period of 2014-2017, Westfield strung together a record-setting 55 league victories in a row.

Kaltenbach skippered the Wolverines to eight 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 it finished second in New York state.

Kaltenbach was named a CCAA 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 Kaltenbach off the baseball diamond, too.

In February 2011, Kaltenbach 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, Kaltenbach 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 Kaltenbach remained instructing and leading the team. Together, they led Westfield to an undefeated CCAC league championship and Section VI final.

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

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