Three players were inducted into the Clear Lake Amateur Baseball Team’s Hall of Fame this past Sunday at Goenner Park in Clear Lake as the front end of a doubleheader being played that day. Sam Samuelson, head coach of the team, invited Larry Sakkinen to introduce the first two inductees, Tanner Balke and Aaron Sakkinen. Larry coached both during their Lakers career.

 

“There’s a common theme in these guys,” said Sakkinen. “They have the passion and competitive drive to do what has to be done.”

 

Sakkinen spoke about his favorite game coaching Balke, the first inductee, which the team actually lost. He explained Balke took the loss in stride the way he did everything, with confidence, character and class.

 

“Tanner Balke loves baseball,” he said. “Whatever was asked, he did. Whatever he did, he gave his all.”

 

Balke played for the Lakers from 1997 to 2012. He is the all time leader in career wins, with 75 wins and 1 career no-hitter. He also leads the Lakers in career innings pitched.

 

“Playing for your dad can be difficult,” said Sakkinen, introducing his son, second inductee Aaron Sakkinen. “The standards for him were higher.”

 

He spoke about Sakkinen’s baseball skills, and told the crowd the first time the team actually qualified for regionals he had the game winning hit.

 

“Above all he was a run producing machine,” he said.

 

Aaron Sakkinen played for the Lakers from 1995 to 2010. He is the all time leader in Laker home runs with 44, and is first in career RBI’s and stolen bases. In 1990 Sakkinen was a team triple crown winner with a .407 average, 11 HR, and 48 RBI. Sakkinen is currently a coach with the Clear Lake Area Youth Baseball Association.

 

Samuelson introduced the third hall of fame inductee, Larry Sakkinen. 

 

“When Larry came here to coach us we were in disarray and weren’t very good,” Samuelson said. “He changed the character of Clear Lake baseball. He brought character and class to the team. When we went to a ball game we expected to win.”

 

“Larry is the first non-player to be inducted into the Clear Lake Amateur Team’s Hall of Fame,” he explained. “There’s a reason for this. There’s no one better.”

 

Larry Sakkinen coached the Lakers from 1997 to 2010, leading the team to 252 wins. Under his leadership the team was perrenial region contenders and ranked in state multiple years. Sakkinen currently coaches his grandchildren in the Clear Lake Area Youth Baseball Association.

 

Following the ceremony the new inductees threw out the first pitch for the game against the Foley Lumberjacks. The Lakers lost the game 11-0. In the nightcap, the 15U team won their game against Elk River 16-6.