Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award - Lowell Spieth

Lowell Spieth created a baseball diamond that has served as a hub for the small community of Frontier for decades. After serving in the Korean War, Lowell returned to his Hillsdale County community and saw a need to ensure that youth had opportunities to play sports. He started as a volunteer coach, but when schools consolidated and the only baseball diamond in town was taken down, he created a new diamond on his own property. Lowell hosted as many as 10 local teams each year. This field became such an integral part of the community that most did not even realize that it was started by one volunteer, rather than a community organization. He handled everything from practice schedules, stocking the concession stand and mowing the field. During summer breaks from 1965 to 1985, recreation activities in the rural community were limited, but youth always had the diamond on Lowell’s Short Street property to play baseball and softball. Lowell put in more than 35,000 volunteer hours over 60 years dedicated to the Frontier youth. Lowell also served as a Sunday school teacher and church youth leader, coached high school baseball, and created the Camden-Frontier Athletic Booster Program to help build a new athletic track and baseball diamond for the high school. Throughout his lifetime he has been involved in community affairs and obtained the utmost positive reputation in his community. “In a small rural community, it takes everyone pulling together to make great things happen. However, a leader is still necessary to focus on the resources and effort on a common cause,” said state Rep. Eric Leutheuser. “Thankfully, for the residents of Frontier, Lowell Spieth was able to lead with energy and conviction to make memories that have remained a part of the fabric of making up this humble community.”