Hadley Buttermakers Have Loss Too

Landon Erickson dropped me a note last week and said that the Southwestern, Minnesota area also lost a great baseball player.  Luke Beers, a player with the Hadley Buttermakers died in a car accident on March 15, 2011.  “He was a better person than he was a baseball player and he was a darn good baseball player,” said Erickson.  “He was from a family who has spent many years playing town team baseball.”

Luke died one bay before his 31^st birthday.  He played 14 seasons as an outfielder for Hadley.  Click here for his obituary.

"He was the team leader...the guy we wanted up there when the game was on the line...he was like the captain," said Hadley manager Myron Bennett.  "We'll be able to put someone out in left field, but we'll never be able to replace Luke Beers," he continued. 

“Like many small towns across Minnesota, Hadley draws a strong fan base.  With no lights at the ballpark to play midweek games, most Sunday

afternoons in the summer, there is a home game or two,” said his brother, Ryan.  “A couple hundred fans show and, like church, people sit in the same spot each time depending if their preference is shade or sunshine.  Luke revelled in this atmosphere of friendship, baseball, and love of life,” continued Ryan.   

Ryan explained that Luke liked to have fun and often was a leader in group activities including baseball-golf prior to games and playing practical jokes on unsuspecting teammates. He also was serious about his team, driving the Hadley van to away games and raising money to help with equipment needs.  

“Luke loved baseball.  He umpired junior high games in the spring for Murray County Central Schools and enjoyed visits to the major league venues of the Twins, Cubs, Brewers, and Royals, along with spring training for the Twins and Red Sox,” said Ryan. 

“The outpouring of support from the Minnesota amateur baseball family has been incredible, said Ryan.  "Please pass along our family's appreciation."