GRAVETTE - American Legion Baseball has come to Gravette. Through the efforts of Randall Hunt, coach at Gravette High School, a full scheduleof games has already begun for the newly formed “Gravette Allen Foods Lions” who will play their home games on the new high school field.
Hunt, who has been on the staff at GHS the past three years as a high school math teacher, has served as assistant Lady Lions softball coach as well as golf coach.
Through his efforts, the new AL baseball program has come into being.
A native of California, where he received his associate degree from Santa Rosa Junior College, Hunt furthered his education at Harding University at Searcy. In California he played college ball and was part of the Junior College World Championship team in 2005. At Harding, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he was assistant baseball coach. He met his wife Tori as a student there. She is a kindergarten teacher at Rogers.
Talking with Hunt, a person quickly realizes he “has baseball in his blood.” He also has a mission to develop the all-Gravette American Legion team to give present and upcoming high school baseball players the experience of working together as a team.
“This will give 18 young men the opportunity to play together at another level and will help build the high school program,” he said.
Paraphrasing Hunt, “This will be a lot like old fashioned baseball. Fun to watch for families.”
It is through the cooperation of the school board and administration the high school field will be used for the games. There will be no admission to the games and “when you see the lights on at the field, come on up and enjoy the evening.” The concession stand will be operated by Gravette Boosters, he added, making it an evening of good family fun.
The Legion ball team is sponsored by the Gravette American Legion Post, and through donations by Allen Foods, N.W. Credit Cars and from individuals, the team has been fitted with uniforms and equipment.
Since there will be out of town travel, to games as far away as Texarkana, Mountain Home, Fort Smith and Clarksville, any financial support will be appreciated. Hunt can be reached at 202-3257.
The first game was played May 28 at Clarksville, and doubleheader games were held in Gravette against Springdale May 31 and Bentonville June 3.
Gravette was to play Fayetteville AAA Tuesday night, participate in a tournament at Texarkana later this week, play AAA Bentonville there June 10, be in a tournament at Mountain Home June 12-16, in a tournament at Fort Smith the following week and travel to Mountain Home AA on June 27.
A home game July 2 will see Fayetteville AAA come to Gravette; the following day, Harrison AA will be here for a doubleheader; July 9, Mountain Home will be at the GHS ball field. Games start at 6 p.m., doubleheaders at 5 p.m.
The team members, all Gravette young men, appreciate the support of baseball fans.
News, Pages 9 on 06/05/2013