Little League® International mourns the passing of Keith Wagner, an impactful volunteer in the Central Region who was the inaugural recipient of the John St. Martin Little League Central Region Outstanding Volunteer Award. He was 85.
Mr. Wagner a native of Iowa, and resident of Indianapolis at the time of his passing, was employed at Ellis Trucking and later Red Ball International. His volunteer service to the Little League program began in 1966, as a coach and then expanded to umpiring and numerous other positions over the next 50 years.
As an umpire, Mr. Wagner, officiated in eight Little League Softball World Series at different divisions of play; and he also assisted with Central Region umpire clinics and schools. Among the countless hours donated to the Central Region, he assisted with Little League Challenger Division® Jamborees and served as Regional Tournament Coordinator for the Central Region Baseball and Softball Tournaments, overseeing all aspects of team operations.
In 2019, his dedication and unwavering support of the Little League program was recognized with the presentation of the John St. Martin Little League Central Region Outstanding Volunteer Award. This award is presented each year to a volunteer who displays the spirited qualities and dedicated efforts toward the development of children participating in the Little League Baseball and Softball Central Region Tournaments and displays the same loyal support and inspired volunteer commitment to Little League Central Region as award namesake, John St. Martin. Mr. Wagner was also a past recipient of the Little League International Congress’s Central Region Outstanding Assistant District Administrator Award.
Mr. Wagner is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Michele; and sons, John, Rick, and Kenny. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.