'If you mention Lake Norden, they think of baseball'

LAKE NORDEN, S.D. (KELO) — Baseball is a summer staple across the country, with many small towns rallying behind their teams.

Baseball is known as America's pastime. In Lake Norden, the sport has been around for nearly 100 years and has impacted the town's landmarks.

"But like the bullpen we that's that was name because Lake Norden Baseball, the Hall of Fame was put here because of Lake Norden baseball, Lake Norden Lakers that's a brand name around the state if you ask anyone about if you mention Lake Norden they think of baseball," Burt Tulson said.

"There is a love for baseball here, but it's the passion of a few people that started it, you know, and obviously that starts with the Antonen family, Ray Antonen," head legion baseball coach Brad Noem said.

Before 1977, the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame didn't have a building. Thanks to Ray Antonen, the Hall of Fame found its home in Lake Norden.

"He was a big fan from Little League Baseball to Major League Baseball. And he managed the amateur team in Lake Norden here for a number of years and did just a lot of things which supported amateur baseball," Rusty Antonen said.

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