​LAKE NORDEN, S.D. (KELO) — In a heartfelt ceremony last weekend, the city of Lake Norden honored longtime amateur baseball manager Burt Tulson by renaming the town’s home field after him, a tribute that recognizes decades of leadership, dedication, and community service at Memorial Park. Tulson’s daughter Trish captured the sentiment: “Rarely can you do something you’ve loved since you were nine, at age 79.”
For six decades, Burt Tulson has spent more than 61 years at the Lake Norden ballpark, and now the field will forever bear his name: Burt Tulson Field at Memorial Park. “I don’t do this to get honored, but after all these years they decided to do this, and I am amazed. I am thankful to God that He put the right people around me all the time in my life,” Tulson said with gratitude.
Tulson’s baseball journey began in 1965 when, at 18 and fresh out of high school, he joined the Lakers as a player. He recalled how his path started: “I had done well against Lake Norden while playing for Bryant, and they asked me to come and play, and I said, you want me?” The senior year standout soon found himself playing for ten seasons before moving into management duties in 1976.
Over more than half a century, Tulson has learned that managing an amateur baseball team is about more than selecting the starting lineup. “We just do it for the community. It’s not all about baseball. It’s important that we try to make things better than when we found them, and that’s true of the field here, and it’s about making the community better,” he explained.
The day of dedication proved to be a moment of reflection for Burt, as he acknowledged the many people who helped him reach this milestone. “My name’s up there, but my name could be anybody’s name. My name doesn’t mean that much. It means that all these people, volunteers, put their time in so I could get my name up there,” he noted.
Family members emerged as his greatest supporters in this journey. Burt and his wife Linda share a storied partnership of 56 years of marriage; Linda has managed the concession stand for three decades, a steady presence at the field. The couple raised four children—two sons and two daughters—whom Burt coached during their youth, instilling in them the values that have shaped his leadership style.
“Baseball is the means, but love is the fruit,” Burt’s daughter Amy reflected. She highlighted the influence of her father’s example, noting how his guidance continues to inspire not only her but many others in the community. Burt’s son Mick, who still plays for Lake Norden, was proud to see his father’s name etched on the outfield wall. “This will live through generations of kids, and they’ll know who Burt Tulson is, and that’s really cool,” Mick said.
This tribute is more than a personal honor; it is a community acknowledgment of the lasting impact that one man’s commitment can have on a town’s culture, spirit, and athletic life. Burt Tulson Field at Memorial Park stands as a lasting reminder of devotion, teamwork, and the enduring power of baseball to bring people together.
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