Brent Meyer
2024 Hall of Fame Inductee
Belle Plaine, MN
Belle Plaine, MN
Baseball was always a fact of life for the Meyer family of Belle Plaine, Minnesota. As the son of a Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Famer, Brent Meyer’s baseball career began as a young Babe Ruth player, into high school ball, and finally as a member of the Belle Plaine Tigers amateur team. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1983 where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, and won the James Ciminski Award for excellence in athletics.
Though he enjoyed his time on the field, his biggest impact on the game would come from his time spent as a field manager and coach. Starting in 1988, Brent managed the Tigers through nine successful seasons, culminating in a state runner-up finish in 1991, and Belle Plaine’s lone state championship in 1994.
After stepping away from managing the Tigers, Brent remained a dedicated member of the Belle Plaine baseball community. He was a member of the Belle Plaine Baseball Association and successfully co-chaired two state amateur tournaments in 2004 and 2014. He was also a regional commissioner for 12 years.
In 1995, Brent decided to take on a new aspect of the game when he became an umpire. He umpired for many years, including high school, college and amateur games throughout Minnesota for 23 years. He was selected to umpire in the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament on multiple occasions.
As his children grew up, Brent coached each of his children’s baseball, basketball and softball teams. Known as “Coach” by many of his children’s friends, his lasting impact on the game can be seen through the long baseball careers and participation he inspired in his players. While living and raising his kids in New Prague, Brent organized traveling baseball teams and was instrumental in forming the New Prague Youth Baseball Association. He served as the President of the association for many years.
He was also very active in his church community, serving as a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Board where he taught Confirmation classes and served as an usher for many years.
Perhaps his most lasting legacy is the one he had at home. He loved being a husband and father. He was married to his wife, Jane, for 30 years and together they had three children, Allie, Jake (Megan) and Jack (Emily). Brent is the son of Gerald, who was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball HOF in 1997, and Carman Meyer. Brent passed away in 2018.
Though he enjoyed his time on the field, his biggest impact on the game would come from his time spent as a field manager and coach. Starting in 1988, Brent managed the Tigers through nine successful seasons, culminating in a state runner-up finish in 1991, and Belle Plaine’s lone state championship in 1994.
After stepping away from managing the Tigers, Brent remained a dedicated member of the Belle Plaine baseball community. He was a member of the Belle Plaine Baseball Association and successfully co-chaired two state amateur tournaments in 2004 and 2014. He was also a regional commissioner for 12 years.
In 1995, Brent decided to take on a new aspect of the game when he became an umpire. He umpired for many years, including high school, college and amateur games throughout Minnesota for 23 years. He was selected to umpire in the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament on multiple occasions.
As his children grew up, Brent coached each of his children’s baseball, basketball and softball teams. Known as “Coach” by many of his children’s friends, his lasting impact on the game can be seen through the long baseball careers and participation he inspired in his players. While living and raising his kids in New Prague, Brent organized traveling baseball teams and was instrumental in forming the New Prague Youth Baseball Association. He served as the President of the association for many years.
He was also very active in his church community, serving as a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Board where he taught Confirmation classes and served as an usher for many years.
Perhaps his most lasting legacy is the one he had at home. He loved being a husband and father. He was married to his wife, Jane, for 30 years and together they had three children, Allie, Jake (Megan) and Jack (Emily). Brent is the son of Gerald, who was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball HOF in 1997, and Carman Meyer. Brent passed away in 2018.