Community support resonates at dedication ceremony, inaugural game
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
The warmth generated by the collective love and gratitude of a gathering of about 400 people more than offset the discomfort of a blustery, cold and damp afternoon last Saturday during the dedication of the “Treyton’s Field of Dreams.”
Following the Oct. 4 dedication, the first baseball game was played featuring elementary school players from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson (attended by Treyton Kilar and where his mother, Mary Kilar formerly served as principal) and Whitewater’s three elementary schools, Lakeview, LINCS Charter School (where Mary Kilar is currently principal) and Washington.
Each of the baseball teams playing in the inaugural game at Treyton’s field, the Blue Team and the Yellow Team, included students from all four schools.
Treyton Kilar’s life ended tragically on Sep. 2, 2010, in an automobile accident caused by a drunken driver.
Four years in the making, from early efforts to raise funds to building the field, including hauling in 15,000 tons of fill, the state-of-the-art baseball diamond is the crown jewel of Starin Park’s upgrade.
The more than $700,000 required to build the baseball facility was generated by numerous fundraising events, donations and grants, and led to breaking ground for the project on Aug. 16, 2013.
Future near-term improvements slated for “Treyton’s Field of Dreams” include lighting and the construction of a concession and restroom facility.
Greg Matzek, sports anchor for WTMJ 620 AM radio in Milwaukee, served as emcee for the dedication.
“I am honored to be here,” Matzek said. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Matzek described the intermittent rain that didn’t stick around long as “tears of joy that are falling right now from above… There are a lot of eyes on what’s happening here today.”
After the playing of “Happy Birthday,” Mary Kilar began the dedication ceremony.
“And what a birthday party for our little Treyton. It’s hard to put into words what today means to us. Oct. 4, today, Treyton would have celebrated his 11th birthday,” Mary began.
“We have loved, we have grieved, we have worked to keep his memory, our little baseball fly guy, alive, and we have committed to building something for our children, and we are here to love, to honor and to celebrate,” she added.
Mary also talked about the statue of Treyton at-bat located at the entrance to the stadium.
“Grandma and Grandpa J. (Eileen and Richard Jakolski) have provided a lasting visual memory of our baseball player, Treyton.
“His dreams were cut far too soon, and his loss leaves an earthly hole in our hearts but his life has touched the hearts of all of us here today,” Mary said. “May we all remember that we can make a difference in this world by the choices we make. Please make decisions that better our world and always choose to love each other, just like Treyton did.”
Mike Kilar, Treyton’s father told the crowd he was looking forward to watching kids play – and dream – on Treyton’s Field.
“This field represents an incredible sense of community, love and determination. I cannot wait to see your children step on this field and dream big, just like Treyton did,” Mike said.
Mike also spoke about the overwhelming support of the project.
“Even though this has been a bittersweet journey, I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished, and when I mean ‘we,’ I mean each and every one of you. None of this could have been possible without all of your help and love and support,” Mike said.
“We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives in creating this incredible field, and we truly thank you,” he added.
Mary and Mike extended appreciation to a host of individuals, organizations and businesses, including the Major League Baseball Association – for making dream of creating a baseball field in Treyton’s memory a reality.
Prior to the dedication, Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager made a similar statement prior to the start of the ceremony.
“The most impressive thing about the completion of Treyton’s Field of Dreams to me is the outpouring of community support in and outside of Whitewater. The stories of the contractors and vendors that have donated labor and/or materials to make this field a reality is moving to me,” Clapper said.
He also recognized the efforts and the leadership of the Kilar family.
“Overcoming tragedy and then investing so much of themselves in, not just a memorial for Treyton, but also a treasured field for our community, that’s impressive. Few are the families that would have the strength to do so much.
“Perhaps the biggest value to come out of this project is the community building that has come from so many people coming together for such a great purpose. That kind of service and charity is what living in a community is all about,” Clapper said.
Mary spoke directly to Parks and Recreation Director Matt Amundson’s contributions in leading the project as well.
“You have lived this vision with us into a reality. You put your heart and soul into it, and you helped us make a field a place for our children,” Mary said.
Amundson, who also recognized the amount of support received for the project, shared details about how the field will be used.
“Treyton’s Field of Dreams was a community effort from the concept development, fundraising and construction – none of which would not have been possible without the amazing support the project has received from Whitewater and the surrounding area,” Amundson began.
“The field provides a top-notch athletic venue for Whitewater’s youth and will serve as the premier field in a four field complex at Starin Park. Within our existing youth baseball and softball programs we host approximately 180 games each summer in Whitewater and with the addition of Treyton’s Field of Dreams we anticipate offering 6 additional tournaments in the summer bringing an additional 128 teams to Whitewater,” he added.
There is speculation that the addition of Treyton’s field to Starin Park’s three other fields will put Whitewater on the map for tournaments.
“This field is unique, not just in Whitewater, but also in the region. The idea that our children (as well as those from other communities that will come to play here) will be able to experience the game on a university-quality field is something our residents should be proud of,” Clapper said.
“This is an incredible amenity on a scale that few communities are fortunate enough to enjoy,” Clapper added. “It will no doubt be a destination to visitors and the tournaments that can now be held at Starin Park due to Treyton’s field and the improvements to surrounding fields will surely be an economic benefit to Whitewater.”
The LINCS Charter School chorus, under the direction of Christine Hayes, put its name on Whitewater’s history by leading the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem for the first time at Treyton’s field.
Using the same baseball Treyton played with while attending pre-school, the first pitch for the afternoon was tossed by Kindyl Kilar, Trey’s younger sister, and caught by Brittany Kilar, his oldest sister.
Larry Hisle, former outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers, and current Manger of Youth Outreach for the Brewers Hisle who served as coach the Blue Team Oct. 4, threw a pitch to Treyton’s friend, Reid Gunnick.
Tom Telleman, a middle reliever for the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Toronto Blue Jays, coached the Yellow Team and threw a pitch to another friend of Treyton, Elijah Grall, before the game started.
Mike and Mary joined each other in yelling out words that will be heard at Treyton’s Field of Dreams for years to come: “Now, let’s play ball!”
Serving as announcers for the play-by-play action in the first game on the field were Curt Brochmeier and Tom Grosinske. The duo even motivated the crowd to belt out “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and set the baseline record for “stadium waves” at Treyton’s field.
Adding to the fun of the afternoon, a bouncy house, two inflated slides, a pitching speed machine were available near the field and a free dish of Culver’s vanilla custard was offered to all – along with a tent for food and refreshments and a tent with Treyton’s Field of Dream apparel.
Another highlight was a race around the bases by characters – including Bernie Brewer and Willie Warhawk – and a chance for anyone in the crowd to run the bases following the game.
The final score for the game was Blue Team 13 and Yellow Team 10.
