06/15/2026
I've stared at this post for a while, trying to find the right words. 🖤
The truth is, I'm not sure there are enough words to properly thank a community that has loved, supported, and celebrated our baseball team the way ours has this season.
Yesterday's celebration on the square was beautiful.
Not because of the decorations, the speeches, or even the accomplishment that we were gathered to recognize.
It was beautiful because of the people.
As I looked around, I saw grandparents, parents, former players, teachers, classmates, little kids wearing North Clay gear, business owners, volunteers, and neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder. I saw people who have invested their time, energy, prayers, and hearts into these boys for years.
And in that moment, I was reminded that what makes a small town special isn't the size of the town.
It's the size of the love.
Over the last two weeks specifically, our community wrapped its arms around this team in a way that still feels hard to believe.
You filled the stands.
You traveled the miles.
You decorated storefronts.
You shared posts.
You sent messages.
You packed snack bags.
You fed the boys once a day for almost two weeks straight.
And you donated an amazing amount of money to our baseball program, to help make it all happen.
You celebrated every step of the journey as if these boys were your own.
And maybe that's because, in a small town, they are. These young men may wear the uniform, but they have been raised by an entire community that has cheered them on, encouraged them, and believed in them long before anyone outside of our county knew their names.
A state trophy is an incredible accomplishment, and finishing 3rd in the state is something these players should always be proud of.
But years from now, when the trophies are sitting on shelves and the scores have been forgotten, I hope they remember something even more important.
I hope they remember how loved they were.
I hope they remember the packed stands, the parade of support as they went around the square backwards, the people who showed up again and again, and the feeling of an entire community believing in them.
Because not everyone gets to experience that.
What happened here was special.
What happened here was rare.
What happened here was a community choosing to celebrate its kids.
To every player, our coaches, parents, volunteers, business owners, fans, photographers, school employees, and supporter who helped make this season unforgettable—thank you.
You didn't just support a baseball team.
You helped create memories that these young men will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
And for that, I will always be grateful. ❤️
This season gave us a trophy.
But this community gave us something even better.
A reminder that there is still something incredibly powerful about a small town coming together with one heart, one purpose, and an overwhelming amount of love.
What a blessing it is to call this town and county our home! Enjoy these pictures from yesterday! Thank You. 🤍
