Arriving in Muskegon in 1900, Charles Marsh soon established himself as one of the community’s most successful businessmen and a respected civic leader.  In addition to his prominent role in community affairs, he also made a significant personal contribution to sports in Muskegon, specifically in the area of baseball and high school athletics.
After Muskegon entered the Michigan State League in 1910, Marsh immediately became one of the baseball team’s most active boosters.  In 1912, he became president of the club and served for two years.  When the State League folded after 1914 and one of the principal home fields, Castenholz Park, was dismantled and converted to residential property, Marsh spearheaded a campaign to build a new downtown ballpark.

Professional league baseball returned to Muskegon in 1916 with the grand opening of Marsh Field.  In 1919, Marsh and his associates generously deeded the new baseball park to the city of Muskegon at its original cost.  Marsh continued to provide financial and moral support to keep Muskegon in professional baseball and returned as president of the 1923-24 Michigan Ontario League franchise.

As an influential and respected member of the Muskegon Board of Education for the last 27 years of his life, Charles Marsh continued to promote local sports programs in the school system.  He was instrumental in the campaign to construct the concrete stands of Hackley Stadium, which opened in 1927.