New Ulm HALL OF FAME Member

Donald Veigel

Non-Player (Special Support)

Selected 1996

        In 1946, a baseball team took the field in the Pasture League complete with full uniforms and fully equipped, thanks to its sponsor.  It was the first New Ulm Kaiserhoff team to play in amateur baseball.

            A half century later and after dozens of new uniforms, Kaiserhoff teams still take the field in the Minnesota baseball program thanks to the efforts of Kaisheroff owner Donald J. Veigel. 

           The support given by Veigel for New Ulm's amateur baseball program has earned him recognition in the New Ulm Amateur Baseball Hall of fame. 

           In 1946, the Kaiserhoff played in the Pasture League, which was probably a distant relative of today's Bi-County League.  The Pasture League was made up of young players who still had not reached the ability to play for teams such as the Brewers and Millers of that time period.  Veigel himself played then and did get an at-bat for the old Millers of the Tomahawk League before he decided to tend to the restaurant business full-time.

           The Pasture League merged with other leagues, and by 1963 New Ulm was down to a single team because of the lack of finances.

           In 1969 after the five-year absence, a second team was again discussed and Veigel was approached about sponsoring uniforms.  With that start and with Veigel's continued financial support, the Kaiserhoff team has again existed to this day. 

           The highlight of that span was the 1980 season when the "K" won the state championship, and shortly thereafter three of its players signed professional baseball contracts.

           Veigel played New Ulm High School and American Legion baseball in 1938 and 1939, collecting 12 hits.