Duane Gualke
2011 Hall of Fame Inductee
Jordan, MN
Jordan, MN
Duane Gaulke's passion for baseball, cultivated on a South Dakota farm, blossomed into a legacy that extended far beyond his playing days. Born in Chamberlain, South Dakota, in 1940, he learned the game's fundamentals from an early age, playing junior league and American Legion baseball.
In 1958, Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he continued to play baseball for the Fort Lewis, Washington, post team. After his military service, he returned to South Dakota, where he formed the Custer Battlefield Hyway League and served as League Secretary for six years. He also managed the Gann Valley team. His prowess on the field was evident when he led the CBHL in batting with a .442 average and hit five home runs in 1965.
Duane moved to Savage, Minnesota, in 1967 and played for the Savage Pacers. He continued his stellar performance, winning the River Valley League batting title in 1968 with a .428 average. In 1969, he married Margaret Cederstrom of Bloomington, and they later moved to Jordan, where they raised two children, Duane Jr. and Jill.
During the 1970s, Duane played for the Jordan Brewers and managed the team in 1978. He also dedicated his time to coaching little league teams and maintaining the Mini Met baseball field.
In 1979, Duane's desire to continue playing competitive baseball led him to establish the Minnesota Senior Men’s Amateur Baseball Association. This visionary initiative, which began with four teams, expanded significantly over the following decades, growing to include multiple leagues and teams. State tournaments have been held annually since 1980. He also organized and led a Senior Men’s Baseball World Series at the Metrodome in 1989.
Duane's contributions to baseball extended beyond organizing leagues. He was instrumental in redesigning and remodeling the Mini Met in Jordan, overseeing the installation of new lights, a press box, a scoreboard, and dugouts. He also managed and played for the Jordan Alers for many years.
His efforts inspired the formation of similar senior baseball organizations across the nation, allowing countless players to continue their passion for the game. Duane Gaulke's imagination, passion, and love for baseball have left an enduring mark on the amateur baseball landscape.
In 1958, Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he continued to play baseball for the Fort Lewis, Washington, post team. After his military service, he returned to South Dakota, where he formed the Custer Battlefield Hyway League and served as League Secretary for six years. He also managed the Gann Valley team. His prowess on the field was evident when he led the CBHL in batting with a .442 average and hit five home runs in 1965.
Duane moved to Savage, Minnesota, in 1967 and played for the Savage Pacers. He continued his stellar performance, winning the River Valley League batting title in 1968 with a .428 average. In 1969, he married Margaret Cederstrom of Bloomington, and they later moved to Jordan, where they raised two children, Duane Jr. and Jill.
During the 1970s, Duane played for the Jordan Brewers and managed the team in 1978. He also dedicated his time to coaching little league teams and maintaining the Mini Met baseball field.
In 1979, Duane's desire to continue playing competitive baseball led him to establish the Minnesota Senior Men’s Amateur Baseball Association. This visionary initiative, which began with four teams, expanded significantly over the following decades, growing to include multiple leagues and teams. State tournaments have been held annually since 1980. He also organized and led a Senior Men’s Baseball World Series at the Metrodome in 1989.
Duane's contributions to baseball extended beyond organizing leagues. He was instrumental in redesigning and remodeling the Mini Met in Jordan, overseeing the installation of new lights, a press box, a scoreboard, and dugouts. He also managed and played for the Jordan Alers for many years.
His efforts inspired the formation of similar senior baseball organizations across the nation, allowing countless players to continue their passion for the game. Duane Gaulke's imagination, passion, and love for baseball have left an enduring mark on the amateur baseball landscape.