Denny Smith was born in Hamiota, Manitoba on July 19, 1940. Smith was a very good shortstop and lead-off hitter for Hamiota during the 1950s and ’60s. He was part of four Hamiota championship teams at bantam, juvenile, and junior levels from 1955-58. Smith was also part of teams that won Manitoba Senior Baseball League (MSBL) pennants in 1961, ’62, ’64, ’65, and ’67, as well as three MSBL titles, in 1962, ’63, and ’64. He coached numerous Hamiota and Westman teams from 1972-88, including six provincial championship teams in various age categories. On top of all this, Smith coached two teams to silver medals at the Western Canada Championships (1972, 1981).
