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Farmington's Schmitz honored

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: May 6, 2008 - 5:26 PM

Louie Schmitz of Farmington has been named the recipient of Minnesota Hockey's Don Clark Award for 2008. The Don Clark Award is presented to an individual who has shown long-term commitment to the growth and development of grass roots hockey in Minnesota.

Louie Schmitz started the hockey program in Farmington in 1954. From building the first outdoor rink in Farmington to recruiting boys to play on the first team, Schmitz has done it all. He has started and then coached numerous teams, cleaned and flooded rinks late at night, developed leagues so Farmington teams would have a place to play and made sure that every child in Farmington who wanted to play hockey had a team to play on.

In 1967, Schmitz received the first "Presidents Award" ever awarded by Minnesota Hockey. In March 2005 he was inducted into the Women's Hockey Association (WHAM) Hall of Fame and the Farmington high school girls' holiday hockey tournament was named after him.

At 81, Schmitz still travels to as many youth and high school games as he can. His love of hockey continues to shine as he follows the youth hockey players of Farmington.

The award was established by Minnesota Hockey in 2000 and was named for Don Clark in recognition of his many years of service to hockey in Minnesota at the grass roots level. In partnership with the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey has created a commemorative plaque, with the award winners' names, that hangs in the northeast entrance of the Xcel Energy Center.

Still a chance to see wood bats

Jordan's annual wood bat high school baseball tournament was canceled last weekend. But there's still a chance to hear a "crack" rather than a "ping" this season. Apple Valley will hold its wood bat tournament beginning Friday. The first game is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. at Legion Park.

Lakeville receives Twins Fund grant

The Twins Community Fund announced more than $189,000 in grants to youth baseball and softball organizations last week. Among those receiving part of the cut is the Lakeville Miracle League. It will receive a $5,000 Fields for Kids grant.

Established in 1999, the Fields for Kids grants help maintain the conditions of ball fields. To date, $1.25 million has been granted to update more than 340 fields. More grants will be awarded in June and September.

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