Field of Dreams, Gret Marten: From Bat Boy to Hall of Fame

Written by Dayne Commander | Photos by Riyen Helg

On a crisp afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, Greg Marten stood where he has spent much of his life—on the baseball field. He didn’t waste a second as I approached before pointing out how much the facilities had changed since he first became head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU). “When I arrived, there were only three wooden and metal bleachers,” he recalled. “Now, look around—this is what corporate sponsorships, a vision, and a lot of help can do.”

Marten, a Hammond native, grew up about 200 yards away from Alumni on Blackburn Road. Baseball wasn’t just a pastime for him; it was a way of life. At just nine years old, he fell in love with the game and became a bat boy while Pat Kenelly was at the helm. That early exposure to the sport set the stage for a remarkable career that would span more than four decades.

As SLU’s head baseball coach from 1991 to 2002, Marten cemented his legacy. He led the Lions to seven winning seasons, two NCAA Regional appearances, and back-to-back 38-win seasons in 1992 and 1993—a school record. He was named Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) Coach of the Year twice, but his impact stretched far beyond the stats. Under his leadership, SLU baseball became a respected program known for its discipline, teamwork, and competitive spirit.

As SLU’s head baseball coach from 1991 to 2002, Marten cemented his legacy. He led the Lions to seven winning seasons, two NCAA Regional appearances, and back-to-back 38-win seasons in 1992 and 1993—a school record. He was named Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) Coach of the Year twice, but his impact stretched far beyond the stats. Under his leadership, SLU baseball became a respected program known for its discipline, teamwork, and competitive spirit.

Tommy Bolton, a close friend and colleague, summed it up best: “Easily the best baseball coach I’ve ever been around. I had the pleasure of coaching against him and with him. It was a much better experience coaching with him.”

Marten wasn’t just about building a successful baseball program; he was about building young men. Many of his former players have gone on to professional careers, not just in baseball but in life—something he takes as much pride in as any championship. His coaching philosophy emphasized personal growth as much as athletic achievement, a mindset that helped shape countless student-athletes into wellrounded individuals.

Former player Tom Dawsey shared his thoughts:

“I met Greg Marten my senior year at Southeastern in 1987. During the year I spent with Coach Marten, I learned more about playing shortstop than in all the other years combined. I was fortunate that he came into my life, and I wish I had met him sooner.”

Marten kept his speech lighthearted when he was inducted into the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Rather than listing his accomplishments, he reflected, “I bet I’m the only baseball coach whose career started at nine years old and retired as a head coach 42 years later,” he joked. Yet behind the humor was an undeniable sense of pride in everything he’d built and the lives he’d touched along the way.

His fingerprints are all over SLU’s baseball program —not just in the record books but in the foundation of the facilities, the players he mentored, and the program he elevated. His legacy inspires current players and the community, a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.

For Hammond, Greg Marten is more than a Hall of Fame coach. He’s a hometown hero who turned a childhood passion into a lifetime of impact. And as he stood on that field, looking out at the stadium he helped build, it was clear—his legacy will stand for generations to come.