The St. Louis Park recreational softball season starts on Monday, which is awesome. But perhaps even more awesome then rec league sports are rec league names. If you’ve ever been on or managed a team, you’ll know what I mean—picking a clever handle is of the utmost importance. Same rule applies in fantasy sports. To mark the beginning of the softball season, I figured I’d highlight my five favorite team names. Disagree with my list and think your team’s name got snubbed? You’re welcome to let me hear about it. Without further ado, the list: Bert’s Circles: Assumedly, this is a nod to Twins …

A record-setting winter snowfall has led to a soggy start to spring, and some St. Louis Park ball fields are feeling the effect. In particular, Carlson Park—home to some of the city’s youth baseball games—still has pretty deep snow in left field, as that area is pretty well shaded.  But Jim Lombardi, the city’s recreation supervisor, said he’s overall pretty pleased about field conditions across St. Louis Park. “Other than (Carlson), they’re looking really good,” Lombardi said. Lombardi said the fields that play host to adult recreation softball—Aquila Park and Dakota Park—should be good to …

Hey, gang. I’m going to do a quick round-up of some local sports news, then let you go enjoy this first weekend in April—and the more spring-like weather that has followed. Without further ado: High School Spring Sports Season Starts This Week It wasn’t that long ago that hockey and basketball teams across Minnesota were battling for state championships, but it is indeed time for baseball, softball, track and a number of other sports to begin. There are a few interesting storylines to watch locally. At St. Louis Park High School, Shjon Podein isn’t the only new coach ready to make his mark. …

The 2010-11 St. Louis Park Bantam A team was successful at the state tournament in Virginia, Minn., over the weekend, a run that ended with a consolation championship. The team started the tournament Friday with a tough loss to top-ranked Elk River 3-1. The SLP Bantams out shot Elk River 29-20 but managed just one goal. “We had four straight penalties called on us midway through the game that gave Elk River a long 5-on-3 man power play advantage. During that time, Elk River scored big goals and held that momentum for the win," head coach Justin Magnuson said. "The favor of a 5-on-3 advantage …

It was a wild and emotional week for Benilde-St. Margaret's basketball, something players, coaches and fans could all certainly attest to. Eight days ago, the girls team qualified for the state tournament with a 45-37 win over Orono in the section finals. Three days later, the boys blasted Holy Family, putting them in the section finals as well. On Wednesday, the girls continued their winning ways, knocking off Marshall in the first round of the state playoffs. But the run came to a halt a day later, as DeLaSalle ended the Red Knights' push to repeat as state Class 3A champs. Later on …

The St. Louis Park Bantam A boys hockey team beat Wayzata (4-2), Edina (6-0) and Bloomington Jefferson (6-3) in west region games last week. Those wins earned the team of 13- and 14-year-olds a spot in the eight-team state tournament in Virginia, Minn., which starts next Friday. “The accomplishment is a testament to the work ethic and skill level of the team members,” coach Justin Magnuson said. The other seven teams advancing to state are Elk River, Eden Prairie, Woodbury, Blaine, East Grand Forks, Rochester and Brainerd.  St. Louis Park is scheduled to face-off against Elk River at 2 p.m. …

For many, “March Madness” is a reference to the popular annual college basketball tournament. But March madness is also an apt description for Minnesota high school sports at the moment, as state tournament season is in full swing. With that in mind, St. Louis Park Patch brings you a quick guide of what’s going on — and whether any local teams or athletes are in the running. Boys swimming: St. Louis Park junior Erik McCague finished 12th in the Class AA 100-yard butterfly preliminaries on Friday night, which will send him to Saturday's consolation finals. Meanwhile, Benilde-St. Margaret’s …

With section playoffs nearing — or in some cases, already underway — here are some Orioles and Red Knights that are helping to lead title pushes, as well as a dance team that just brought home its own trophy: Benilde-St. Margaret’s dance team No, this isn’t an athlete of the week, but collectively, these girls are all very deserving. Last Friday, the Knightettes won the state Class 2A dance tournament — the team’s fifth championship overall, and third in the last four years. “I am extremely happy,” co-coach Kelly McGinnis told Patch. “We are so proud of these girls. They worked so hard all …

This week, Patch recognizes a non-player who has made quite the impact in his own right, as well as a Badger (sigh…) who shined. Jake Fobbe, team manager, St. Louis Park boys hockey Amid Tuesday night’s celebration for Tim Donahue, who coached his last home game after 14 years as head coach, another key member of St. Louis Park boys hockey was honored. Jake Fobbe was recognized during the first intermission for 10 years of service as the team’s manager, which started two years before he graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 2003. Often walking to the Rec Center to be with the team, …

This week, St. Louis Park recognizes a finalist for Minnesota Mr. Hockey, as well as a few other talented skaters nominated by a local resident: Patrick Daly, senior defenseman, Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys hockey It’s been a good year for a player whose coach considers him the smoothest-skating defender he’s had in 20 years. First, Daly worked his way back from an injury that cost him most of his junior season. Then, he committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next year. Now, the latest honor — being selected as one of 10 finalists for Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey Award earlier this week. …

As always, there are plenty of standout athletes populating the list. But this week, an “honorable mention” is warranted for Vince Varpness, who was recently named the new St. Louis Park High School football coach. To learn more about Varpness, see his interview with Patch. And continue reading below for this week’s top local athletes: Michael Cork, junior, St. Louis Park Nordic skiing After qualifying for the state tournament as a sophomore last year, Cork set pretty high expectations for his junior year. But so far, so good: Last Friday, Cork won the Twin Cities Nordic Ski Conference …

What better way to celebrate perhaps the coldest weekend of the year than with hockey? While the good folks with the St. Louis Park Hockey Association are probably hoping for a bit warmer weather, there are no plans to cancel their second-annual Hockey Weekend, a celebration of all things puck in the community. “We got this started last year to create some interest in St. Louis Park hockey,” said association president Steve Rosen. “(And) a lot of people had a lot of fun.” Hoping to build on that, this year’s celebration has a few new events, including a treasure hunt. However, unlike the St. …

One of the main goals of Amateur All-Stars is to showcase talent that doesn’t otherwise get showcased. Today, we’re doing just that with a look at the top-5 performers in the local sports scene over the past week: 1) Patrick Daly, senior defenseman, Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys hockey: On Sunday, the Red Knights star accepted a scholarship to play hockey at one of the country’s premier programs — the University of Wisconsin. Daly told St. Louis Park Patch, “They obviously have a very, very high prestige not only in regards to their hockey program, but as well as their academics … Overall, it …

How young is too young for checking in hockey? That’s the question asked right now by USA Hockey, the governing body for youth hockey across the country. The association is proposing the removal of body-checking from the male Pee Wee ranks — players 11 and 12 years old — in an effort to make the game safer. The proposal won’t come up for a formal vote until USA Hockey’s annual summer meeting in June, but some adults involved with youth hockey in St. Louis Park are already grumbling. This includes Steve Rosen, president of the St. Louis Park Hockey Association. Rosen doesn't think pushing the …

With 2011 quickly approaching, now is a great time to resolve to be more active in the New Year. And what better way to do so than joining a sports league? The city of St. Louis Park's recreation department has already opened registration for a number of adult leagues starting up this spring. For starters, there is indoor volleyball. Registration deadline is Feb. 11, and teams of six begin competing Feb. 23. Men and women can be on the same team, and the team fee is $170. But the big draw is softball. Next spring, the city will offer men's, women's and mixed leagues, with play beginning in …

Like most other prep teams, St. Louis Park teams will slingshot back into play this week, making up for time lost to the holidays with a slew of mid-week tournaments. Benilde-St. Margaret's will have a particularly challenging week, facing some of the state's top teams in boys' hockey, girls' hockey and girls' basketball.  The boys' hockey team will host a tournament at the St. Louis Park Rec center Dec. 28-30 featuring the top three teams in Class 2A: Wayzata, Eden Prairie, and the Red Knights, in that order. They'll face No. 2 Eden Prairie in the first round, Friday at 2:30 p.m., for a …

Class 2A, Section 6 is considered its own mini state tournament by much of the Minnesota high school hockey world. Benilde-St. Margaret's is no pushover. They've had some very good teams the past couple years, including a third-place state tournament team in 2008. But with the likes of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Wayzata also in Section 6 – all very capable state tournament teams – the room for error is less than slim. Whoever makes it out will be a favorite to win it all. "In order to be a serious contender, you've got to be better than good. You've got to be great," Red Knights coach Ken …

It was early 2003 when the St. Louis Park boys hockey team made its last appearance in the state hockey tournament. Because the Orioles compete in a difficult conference filled with larger schools (which was especially true back in those days, when they played in a Classic Lake Conference that featured powerhouses such as Edina and Wayzata), it's rare for their hockey teams to achieve such success. But that 2002-03 group was a special one. The team featured senior leadership from players like Jon Keseley and Brian Rose, exceptional offense from junior stars such as David Martinson and B.J. …

Saturday is a big day for St. Louis Park hockey. The Rec Center will host the first "Hockey Tailgate Party," from 4:30 to 7 pm, when the Orioles boys' hockey team opens its season at home against Bloomington Kennedy. This bash features street hockey games with prizes, face painting and free food. Attendees get in free to the boys' game with the donation of a non-perishable food item to the St. Louis Park Emergency Program. "We always want to tie things into the community and go that extra mile," said Steve Rosen, president of the St. Louis Park Hockey Association. Tim Donahue, the head coach …

Thanksgiving weekend is typically full of good food, lots of shopping, and get-togethers with families and friends. This year, it is also full of youth hockey in St. Louis Park. The St. Louis Park Rec Center will be home to an annual tradition — the Minneapolis Cup Tournament — as various Squirt teams take to the ice.  For the 10- and 11-year-old Squirts, it's the first game action of the season. "It's kind of a big kickoff to the year," said Joe Arko, St. Louis Park Hockey Association Squirt coordinator. "I think all the kids and the families are really excited." Three St. Louis Park Squirt …