StemCell Therapy

(Sentinel Photo By Allen Hamil) With players representing nearly all 31 of Marty Kurths Gehlen teams behind him, Kurth stands at home plate and looks at the trophy presented to him for his achievements including the 500 win milestone surpassed earlier this season.

LE MARS After reaching the 500-win plateau earlier this season against Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, long-time Gehlen Catholic baseball coach Marty Kurth was honored prior to the Jays game against Akron-Westfield on Friday.

After announcing all the seniors and their parents, Kurth was summoned to home plate to be recognized for his achievements in his 31 years of coaching at the school. As part of the celebration dozens of alumni baseball players returned to the Riverview Complex to honor their former coach as they lined up behind him on the infield.

Im not going to lie, it was pretty cool, Kurth said. I didnt know all of those guys were behind me. When they said turn around and take a look and I saw the group of guys back there and they thought one from almost every year that I coached was back there and then some more, that was pretty special. Then to go around and tell them thank you, it meant a lot. Its hard to put that into words, but it was a pretty cool night.

One of the reasons why he didnt realize the group was behind him was the fact it was meant to be a surprise. Another reason is the fact that Kurth is suffering from diminished eyesight, nearing blindness in both of his eyes.

I lost vision in both eyes, dramatically lost vision in both eyes, Kurth said. I lost one last summer in July, but I didnt really think much of it because a lot of people lose vision in one eye and I thought Id be okay for a while. But then 11 months later, just three and a half weeks ago, I lost most of the vision in my right eye. The world got turned upside down in the matter of a day.

Kurth said it is hard to explain the current state of his vision.

In my left eye, I have vision in the far left quadrant and on my right eye I have the upper quadrant, but when I look straight ahead I dont see so good straight ahead, not much there, Kurth said. Nothings really, really clear. I cant see very far away, but in my own little area I can see to get by.

Family and Baseball

Kurth has tried to stay positive through the situation and says he has relied on two things to help him: family and baseball.

The one thing that has always been a constant has been my family and baseball, and thats where I turn to, Kurth said. These kids have done a great job. My wife is unbelievably supportive. I cant say enough about her.

(Sentinel Photo By Allen Hamil) Above, Marty Kurth stands at home plate with members of his family by his side, just outside of the batters box. Kurth said that he has relied on two things throughout his situation: his family and baseball. His son Ty (far left) has helped as an assistant coach this season, while Marty says his wife Jen (third from left) has been unbelievably supportive.

The crossroads of baseball and family meet in Martys son, Ty. A former player for his dad, Ty has stepped into a role of being an assistant coach for the team. He said he had wanted to coach with his dad before, but the situation changed this season with the further deterioration of Martys eyesight.

Its been tough, but were getting through it, Ty said. Hes still living life like he normally does. Hes still out here at the ballfield every day doing what he does. Its been tough, but were living life like before. Its been great having us both out on the field again. I got my coaching license last summer in hopes we would coach together this summer, but with me getting a job at Total (Motors), I just didnt have the time to do it. I cant thank them enough for letting me hop out of work sometimes to come out here and be with these guys and be with this team.

Also helping coach the team is another former player of Martys in Solomon Freking. Ty Kurth and Freking were classmates and members of the last Gehlen team to reach the state tournament in 2014. That familiarity has helped the team to not skip much of a beat en route to a 16-9 record at the end of June.

Freking has taken over coaching at third base, but is quick to point out that Marty is still the one in charge.

Its really huge for me to be able to really step up and be on the bases where Coach Kurth is usually at, Freking said. It is a bigger role for me, but I still have him in the dugout still telling me in my ear Lets do this or lets do that. I mean it may look like Im calling shots, but hes right there really calling the shots.

Baseball Family

Along with his personal family, Kurth has the support of his baseball family. Whether it has been from his own team or those competing against the Jays, the respect Kurth has in the coaching ranks is second to none.

Freking said Coach Kurth has always been there for him as he grew up playing sports with Ty.

Its huge for me to come back and help out because I felt hes done so much for me, so its the slightest thing that I could do, Freking said. Im just on the baselines to listen to him. He takes it as a big thing, but I think its just the smallest thing that I can do. Hes always been there for me in my downs and definitely my ups so Im glad to be here and help him out.

Akron-Westfield Head Coach Gordy Johnson presented Kurth with a gift at the pregame ceremony and said he has great respect for Marty.

(Sentinel Photo By Allen Hamil) Above, Marty Kurth accepts a gift from Akron-Westfield head baseball coach Gordy Johnson at the pregame ceremony honoring the long-time Jays coach.

Complete respect, Johnson said. Hes a quality coach and a quality man. I strive to be as good a coach as he is. Hes just a really good guy.

Dean Harpenau, co-head coach at Remsen St. Marys, worked with Marty for several years at Gehlen during the teams most successful stretch in the 1990s that included state championships in 1995 and 1999 and a runner-up finish in 1994.

Martys always done a great job at Gehlen, Harpenau said. I really enjoyed coaching with him. He believes in a lot of the same things as former coach Marv Thelen.

Thelen was head coach for both Kurth and Harpenau when they were players at Remsen St. Marys. From 1969 to 1987, Thelen compiled an impressive record of 687-265 for his career at RSM and Harpenau said Kurth fits the mold of his mentor.

Hes a Thelen disciple and he (Kurth) had a lot of great success over at Gehlen, Harpenau said. Winning the 95 and 99 state titles and then runner-up in 94. A lot of good times. I enjoyed my time there. We worked well together and it was a great combination.

According to Gehlen senior Colin Wise, Kurth is a baseball genius.

Ive never met a man that knew more about baseball than him, Wise said. Its really unfortunate what happened to him, but thats what makes our wins even more sweeter. We do it for him. He loves the game of baseball. You know he doesnt want to give it up, he never wants to give up, but unfortunately he has to. This gives us something to play for.

(Sentinel Photo By Allen Hamil) With a tip of the hat to the crowd, Gehlen's Marty Kurth is recognized by current and former players. Kurth reached 500 wins earlier this season, joining an elite group in Iowa high school history.

Playoff push

Kurth said he is focused on the team and this season as the Jays look to return to Principal Park.

To be honest, I havent really focused on much other than this season, Kurth said.

While a chance at state is possible for this team, it wont be easy. West Sioux sits on the opposite bracket in the district while Remsen St. Marys is a strong contender in the opposite district where a substate meeting could be possible.

Gehlen lost to both of those teams as part of their 0-4 stretch to start the season, but has avenged both of those losses with Wise on the mound. The teams first game of the season featured a loss to Akron-Westfield which the team avenged on Friday night, again with Wise taking the win.

This was a good game for us to get ready for that, Kurth said of the 3-1 win over the Westerners. Theyre a quality ball club and were going to see quality ball clubs down the tournament. So, if we can play with this enthusiasm and excitement and get pitching like that, who knows.

Gehlen will open with Trinity Christian on July 11 at West Sioux. From there, the future for the baseball team and that of Coach Kurth is up in the air.

Ive tried not to look ahead, because I dont know whats ahead right now, Kurth said. The good Lord probably has something in mind for me and well figure out what that is, but right now, Coach Solomon and I and my son Ty, weve got a job to do and thats to get the most out of this baseball team and if we can get what we got out of them tonight, were pretty formidable.

Excerpt from:
Kurth honored as Gehlen coach faces failing eyesight - Le Mars Daily Sentinel

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