Ask longtime Greeley Evans Youth League director Mimi Costinett who deserves credit for the organization’s immense success and welcoming environment throughout the years, and she’ll tip her cap toward everybody else.
Ask everybody else, and most will tip their cap toward Costinett.
In reality, it has taken a collective effect — with Costinett leading the charge — that has allowed the GEYL to blossom from a small grassroots campaign 40 years ago to a stable, multi-layered organization that provides prime opportunities to thousands of area children.
For decades, the GEYL has provided competitive opportunities for young baseball and softball players at its vast complex in west Greeley, with divisions ranging from 8-year-olds to 14- and 15-year-olds.
A welcome sign near the entrance of the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 9, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)Costinett has been an employee of the GEYL for more than 30 years — for most of the organization’s existence and all of the complex’s lifespan.
She helps the organization in every way possible, from keeping tournaments running smoothly to bouncing from grocery store to grocery store to assure the concession stands at the GEYL complex have the tastiest pretzels.
As a pivotal figure within the organization, Costinett has seen the GEYL grow exponentially since its inception in 1982.
And at the heart of that growth is GEYL’s vast eight-field facility — now operated by the city of Greeley — at 6501 20th St. in Greeley.
A panoramic shot through one of the outfield fences at the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 9, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)“That complex is sensational in northern Colorado,” Costinett said. “An eight-field complex is so unique and fabulous. … Everybody pitches in. There is not just one person that makes this happen. And to see just one kid smile per day, we know we’ve made it work.”
In the early 1990s, the community sought a new local baseball and softball complex to replace the Elks Club facility. That facility occupied a patch of land — full of stickers and rough terrain — where the Elk Lakes shopping center now exists off of 35th Avenue and 29th Street, just south of U.S. 34.
A group of people from within the GEYL started a local nonprofit called Baseball for Kids to raise money from local donors. Those funds allowed the GEYL to acquire two 40-acre plots where the league’s complex now sits.
Though it is now within a heavily populated part of the growing city, at the time, that area was considered the absolute western outskirts of town.
“People were saying, ‘Who is ever going to go out there to play baseball?’” Costinett recalls.
A bronze statue of a baseball player is on display at the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 10, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)After briefly operating the complex independently, the GEYL partnered with the city of Greeley in owning and operating the complex and helping pay for the extensive maintenance costs.
Lights were added through a grant, so games could take place during the week, after school, and not just on weekends.
Through donations from local organizations like Friends of Baseball, Elks Club and various local businesses, the complex has been consistently expanded and upgraded throughout the decades.
“There are so many people that have helped us grow,” Costinett said. “There are multiple people on my board of directors during these 30 years that I’ve been here who just donate all their time and blood, sweat and tears to this place.”
GREELEY, CO - SEPTEMBER 23:The Greeley Central Wildcats line dance together before the Greeley Central Wildcats softball game against the Greeley West Spartans at Greeley Evans Youth League Complex in Greeley Sept. 23, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)The complex isn’t just utilized by young athletes from Greeley and Evans.
Athletes from all throughout northern Colorado — from as far as Akron and Fort Morgan — frequent the complex for tournaments. Clubs from neighboring cities like Fort Collins and Loveland also make the GEYL complex a regular home.
“This was just the starting block for great things, especially because people can see how hard it is to keep a sports complex relevant,” Costinett said. “It’s crushing to see what’s happened to Windsor’s Future Legends sports complex. The expense is astronomical. It’s hard to turn a profit. … But I think it’s spectacular what this community has done to keep us afloat.”
A shot through one of the outfield fences at the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 9, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)A qualified leader
Jasmin Dominguez has worked under Costinett at the GEYL complex’s concession stand for the past 15 years, since she was 15 years old.
In that decade-and-a-half knowing Costinett, Dominguez said Costinett has always shown genuine care for those that work with her.
“Knowing her since I was 15 — I went through all of high school, college and now, I’m into my career — she definitely played a huge role in helping me figure out what it is that I want to do,” said Dominguez, who has a career within the Department of Human Services. “She has given us an opportunity to become leaders and has shown us how to be a leader. The best way I would describe her is as someone who cares.”
The manner in which Costinett is truly invested in people can also be seen in the way she cares about the area’s youth baseball and softball scene, the GEYL and the organization’s complex.
A few of the fields at the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 9, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)Anna Marie Salazar has also worked in the GEYL complex’s concession stand under Costinett’s guidance.
Simply put, Salazar said the GEYL and its complex just wouldn’t be where it is today without Costinett’s influence.
“I think most people that know her appreciate her and what she does and has done for the community,” said Salazar, who has worked at the GEYL for five years but also competed under Costinett and the GEYL as a young athlete years ago. “(The GEYL) would definitely not be the same if she wasn’t there. She’s truly giving kids the experience that allows them to gain confidence in themselves.”
Andy Cordova has known Costinett for more than 15 years, as he has served as an umpire and coach within the GEYL.
GREELEY, CO - AUGUST 24:Greeley West’s Esmerelda Perez (12) runs home during the Greeley Central Wildcats softball game against the Greeley West Spartans at the Greeley Evans Youth Sports Complex in Greeley Aug. 24, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)Cordova’s kids have also played in the GEYL.
He’s experienced Costinett’s personality and approach from all angles. In his many dealings with her throughout the years, he’s gotten to know her as an undefinable leader, an authority figure who is firm, yet fair and friendly.
“She’s approachable; you can talk with her about anything, and she’ll answer,” he said. “She’s very supportive of the coaches and the umpires. … She’s respected, for sure, among the umpires. I can tell you that. She really does a great job of advocating for and supporting the umpires, because umpiring is not easy.
“… For coaches, she’ll support you, but she’ll also let you know that, ‘Hey, you’re not always going to be right.’ And some parents may be upset with her because they’re not getting their way. But she’s out there for the kids.”
Just two of the eight fields at the Greeley Evans Youth League complex Sept. 9, 2025, at 6501 20th St., in Greeley. (Bobby Fernandez/The Greeley Tribune)Whether it is the GEYL complex’s staff, officials, coaches or the kids — and their families — who choose to make trips to the complex part of their daily summertime routines, Dominguez said it is important to have a presence like Costinett to assure operations run smoothly and to do so with an unmatched passion for her work.
“A lot of these kids and families, we’re seeing them almost every night,” Dominguez said. “It’s super important, for people that are spending most of their evenings or weekends with us, that (Costinett) creates such a welcoming and comfortable environment. It shows. We always have people come in and compliment by saying, ‘Oh, this is such a nice place. It’s ran so well.’ ”
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