Gainesville School patrons, students flock to see Cardinals at Hammons Field


Gainesville School choir member Sophia Weber shows Louie, the Springfield Cardinals mascot, some dance moves as choir members gathered to perform “America the Beautiful” before Friday night’s game at Hammons Field in Springfield.

Members of the Gainesville Bombers, a summer league team, shake hands with Springfield Cardinals manager Joe Kruzel prior to the Field of Dreams ceremony where the young players were introduced and featured on the video screen before running onto the field to stand by a Springfield Cardinals player for the National Anthem.

Maddox Wynn, son of Jimmy and Liz Wynn of Gainesville, had a moment of fame when he threw out the first pitch and was featured on the giant video screen during Gainesville Community Night at the Springfield Cardinals game Friday night. Photos by Ericka Armstrong

Gainesville R-V School hosted the first annual Gainesville Community Night Thursday at Hammons Field in Springfield. More than 250 Gainesville School patrons bought tickets to watch the Springfield Cardinals take on the Midland (Texas) Rockhounds. “What a wonderful turnout,” said Gainesville R-V superintendent Dr. Jeff Hyatt. “It was great to catch up with so many of our Gainesville School supporters.”

 For the $15 admission price, those who bought tickets also received a commemorative T-shirt before the game and a voucher for a free Cardinals baseball cap. 

“It was a pleasure to see the Gainesville community get together for such a fun evening at the ballpark,” said Gainesville High School principal Justin Gilmore. “We hope to make this an annual event for our town.”

Prior to the start of the game, the Gainesville choir, under the direction of Dr. Sherri Caraway, performed “America the Beautiful,” and the Gainesville Bombers, a youth summer league team coached by Lance West and Jared Hambelton, was honored during the Field of Dreams ceremony. Each member of the team was introduced and shown on the giant video board before taking his position on the field with a Cardinals player. Members of the team are Brodie Cooper, Owen Morris, Christopher Wilson, Tate Eslinger, Denton Hambelton, Chase Luna, Corbin West, Hayden Evans and Parker Gilmore.

In addition, the Gainesville High School baseball and softball teams were introduced. Gainesville eighth grader Maddox Wynn, son of Jimmy and Liz Wynn,  threw out the first pitch.

“It is our goal at Gainesville R-V Schools to support the community in the same way we appreciate the community supporting us. Having over  250 Gainesville faithfuls join us for this first annual community event is a great example of just how great we all are and how much greater we are together,” said Gainesville Junior High principal Ericka Armstrong. “This was an amazing opportunity to spotlight a variety of our organizations, including our summer sports teams, our choir and our baseball and softball teams.” 

Armstrong extended an invitation to the community to attend baseball and softball games at the Gainesville ball park to support the Bulldogs.

 

Ozark County Times

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