"The Sandlot." "Bad News Bears." "Angels in the Outfield."
All are movies about baseball and the role it can play in a child's life. In The Sandlot, a group of children from around the neighborhood band together everyday in the summers to play ball and learn about life along the way.
In the "Bad News Bears," a girl pitcher (unheard of at the time) leads her team of boys to a championship and in "Angels in the Outfield," sneaking into Major League games gives hope to a pair of brothers living day-to-day within the foster care system.
For a group of men in Poplar Bluff, baseball also played a major role. But in tandem with their memories of first home runs, and sliding into third, are memories of a coach who, they said, went above and beyond, Coach Louie Smith.
"Louie had a big heart," said his friend and fellow coach, Mike Collins. "Baseball was his passion, but so was helping kids become better players."
Smith passed away last year and in the meantime, Collins, Smiths son, Chris, and many others, have been working on a plan to continue Louie's passion for the game and for children in Poplar Bluff and its surrounding communities.
"With the blessing of his family, myself, and my boys, who Louie coached for many years, we have started the Coach Louie Smith Benefit Fund," Collins stated.
In stories shared by those he coached and who coached along with him, a baseball field Smith built in his backyard is a common theme. Complete with batting cages, a pitching machine and even a horse, Smith's diamond was a place where learning and fun came together.
"Louie figured out right away it was impossible to get a field," said Carolyn, his wife. "He may have been able to schedule one for only 30 minutes at a time, and that wasn't enough for what Louie wanted to do."
Collins said Smith, an art teacher at Poplar Bluff High School, would often work with kids who wanted extra practice throughout the summers. The Smith's home is located several miles out of town, Carolyn said, so the family traveled frequently to meeting places, such as Kroger, to pick up the children who couldn't make the trip.
According to Chris and his friends, Blake Collins, Seth Gragg, Matt Schindler, and Kent Cauthen, when Smith decided to do something, he did it "all the way."
"My dad admittedly did not know anything about baseball," Chris said. "But when he found out (Chris and his brother Louie Dale) had an interest in baseball, he took it to a whole new level."
Chris said his dad would order training videos from coaching catalogues, call coaching hot lines for tips and make his art students take Polaroids of him giving signs.
"My dad would go out of his way to make youth sports important, to make you learn the game," Chris said. "And not only learn the game, but try to make you a better person."
Schindler said Smith always seemed gruff and that he wouldn't let the boys over celebrate. He said Smith reinforced the importance of maintaining a level head and showing good sportsmanship, even when the team was winning. But, he said, deep down, Smith was a very kind and compassionate man.
"I didn't really grow up around baseball, but you always knew if Louie liked you," Gragg said. "And, whether you were just sitting there watching a Cardinals game or looking at arrow heads, you were learning something. You could go to bed feeling satisfied."
Carolyn said her husband had many hobbies and talents, and that he often let his passion lead the way.
"For instance, we bought a goldfish and ended up with 15 aquariums and selling aquatic fish to pet stores," she said.
Carolyn said when her two sons were young, the Smith home was always open to their friends, especially in the summers, when their lives revolved around baseball.
"After practice, (Louie would) invite kids to watch movies with him," she said. "In the summer they'd come in and watch movies in the living room. Our house was always open to the boys and it wasn't just our family. Their brothers and sisters would come over, too. We had a pool and a tractor they could climb on."
Carolyn said she thinks Smith's dedication to his children came partially as a result of losing his own father at a young age.
"I believe Louie's daddy had died kind of young and that Louie had wanted to be a part of our family and coach them as long as he could. Our boys always loved Cardinals baseball and Louie always loved Cardinals baseball so coaching seemed like a natural step," Carolyn said.
The first fundraising event for the Coach Louie Smith Memorial Fund is a Home Run Derby, at 6 p.m. April 20 at the Poplar Bluff High School baseball field.
Chris said the response to the event has been overwhelming, with local businesses signing up to sponsor batters, supply food and ultimately make the event a success.
"I'm blown away," Collins said. "It really shows the impact Louie had and the number of kids he helped that I didn't even know about."
After coaching park league and American Legion ball, Smith eventually was hired to coach the Mules in 1999. He retired from his coaching and teaching duties the following year, but continued to support local sports.
The funds raised by the Coach Louie Smith Memorial Fund will benefit local sports teams and individuals who have a desire to learn and to play, said Collins.
"Louie would like that," he added.
To make a donation to the Coach Louie Smith Memorial Fund, or for more information, call Chris at 573-429-1381.