Minnesota lost a baseball legend when Chuck Fuller passed away Saturday. The namesake of the diamond at Dartt's Park in Owatonna was 76.

Aces baseball
Roy Koenig, Townsquare Media
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The 1957 Owatonna High School graduate and athletic hall of fame member was synonymous with baseball in town. He was a workhorse for the Indians during his prep career. According to statistics from the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame website, Fuller had a 7-1 record during his junior year when the team won the district title. He compiled a 7-2 mark for the Big Nine co-champs his senior year. He was a three-time letter winner in baseball and earned two in basketball.

Fuller was the face of the Owatonna Aces for many years, serving as player, manager, promoter and ticket taker. His wife, Bev, ran the concession stand many nights. His kids and grandchildren grew up at the ballpark.

Fuller entered the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Two years later he was inducted into the Minnesota State Coaches Association hall as an umpire and was presented the Loren "Mike" Downes Memorial Award for his service to amateur baseball.

Beginning in 1985, Fuller helped run the Owatonna Officials Association, which provides officials in a number of sports to schools throughout the area.

Fuller got some special attention during the St. Paul Saints barnstorming stop in Owatonna in May 2015. He throw out the ceremonial first pitch to his grandson and Aces player Benji Hager. Then Fuller watched the game and kept book while sitting down the first base line.

Visitation is Thursday, June 9, from 4-8PM at Brick Meger Funeral Home in Owatonna at 1603 Austin Road. A Mass of Christian burial occurs Friday, June 10, at 11AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna, with visitation continuing one hour before at 512 South Elm.

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