Living most of my life in the Kings Creek area, I cant even guess how many times Ive driven by the baseball fields on Kings Creek Road in Weirton. During the warmer weather, its common to see someone on a tractor cutting the grass on the ballfields or dragging the infields. For so many years, that person was either Joe Tunno or Tim Welch, both of whom have spent countless hours of their lives quietly and unassumingly serving the youth of Weirton through the Weirton Baseball Association.

After hearing a few weeks ago about Welchs death, one of my first thoughts was that I never stopped just to tell Tim thank you for taking care of the fields. I took it for granted that Tim would do what so many of the rest of us cant or choose not to do. Tim never wanted anything in return for the thousands of hours he volunteered at the ballfields. Im not even sure if being thanked was important to him. I think not otherwise, he wouldnt have done so much for the kids in exchange for the little thanks he likely got. Tim began coaching my brother Toms Babe Ruth team in 1980 and during the next 30 years continued his unwavering service to the Weirton Baseball Association.

Tims gift of his time and talents didnt just benefit the WBA he also was involved for even more years with the Weirton Termite Basketball Association at the Millsop Community Center (along with Ron Greer, another gentleman whose volunteerism knew no bounds.)

For years, these two men kept the league together, coaching, getting sponsors, handling the draft, scheduling games, training young referees and dealing with emotional parents, among other things. It would not be uncommon for Tim to grab a whistle and officiate games when young referees failed to show up or were busy with another game.

Greer still is running the league after 50 years of service I cant imagine how many pounds of fish Ron has cooked while also volunteering at the local Lenten fish fries during the years or how many hours he has served the Weirton Jaycees. Among other causes, Ron also has been serving our special needs citizens as a board member and officer at the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop for many years.

I will make it a priority to reach out to Greer and Tunno and thank them for the good they do for the community. I could kick myself in the butt for not taking the time to thank Welch he was a quiet, kind, humble and unassuming man who, nevertheless, deserved my thanks.

We have been blessed in Weirton with individuals who have given their time and talents for the benefit of the youth in our community. As a youngster, I had the honor of playing basketball at St. Joseph for Jim Klash, who coached at the school for more than 30 years. I didnt know until after he passed away that Klash was a parishioner of St. Pauls, St. Joes rival in youth basketball back in the day. Klash also was one of the founding members of the Weirton Baseball Association Complex. He gave me one of my first jobs as an umpire. I hope the Weirton community and St. Joes never forget them.

I know Im forgetting or have failed to mention many men and women who have volunteered countless hours in our community during the years. I intend no disrespect. You know who they are. They were our coaches, league presidents and concession stand workers they opened, cleaned and closed the gyms where your kids and mine played ball, or they worked on the ballfields after a heavy Saturday morning rain so your kids could play their baseball game.

The next time you see them, go and tell them thanks for all they do or what they have done during the years before that opportunity passes you by. I certainly will. I missed that opportunity with Tim Welch and I regret my omission.

Weirton and its children are so very lucky to have such committed and generous volunteers, like Tim Welch, and we will miss them dearly and their selfless contributions to our community.

Thank you, Tim.

(McCune is a resident of Weirton. Tim Welch died April 18 at the age of 61.)

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Remember to say thank you before it is too late - The Daily Times