Bringing back the good times

For many growing up in a small town meant riding bikes down to the local park to play a game of basketball, kickball, or even softball. Sometimes smaller siblings would tag along and play on the playground next to the field. Those were the days when the street lights coming on were the curfew and lightning bugs lit the way home.

These are the days of the internet and video games, but one group of parents wants to do something to help bring back that outdoor option for kids in Linden.

Softball coaches Jon Stiger and Whitney and Caleb Goebel fondly remember days spent outside and they want to give that back in a big way. Their goal? Revamping the American Legion field and area around it. So far they have the baseball field cleared and playable and the concession stands usable, however, they have plans for more.

Mrs. Goebel says they would eventually like to have playground equipment, a volleyball sandpit, and basketball court. She adds, “We would like to see the pickle shed restored because so many people grew up coming here.”

It is also about giving the kids something productive to do and goals to aim for. The three coach softball year-round and say that sports participation helps keep kids and teens on the right path. Stiger says, “When a kid has something to do during the summertime, their mind is not wondering ‘What am I going to do?’ When kids start doing that, that’s when they start thinking of some off the wall stuff to do.” Indeed, the three agree that the youth of Linden could greatly benefit from a place where they can ride their bikes. A place to play kickball or basketball. Somewhere they can release all of the energy kids seem to constantly contain.

City Manager Bob Swisher has also voiced his opinion saying, “I think it’s great. That is the kind of thing that as a city we reward.” While the clean-up of the field has been mostly a volunteer effort, Swisher came out for the first fundraiser tournament and has offered up the city’s help in some areas.

For all three coaches, Mrs. Goebel says, “We’re very thankful that the city is on board with helping to get this place back together.” She adds, “The parents, the people within the community, to us, that’s what counts.”

On Friday, June 26, the trio, along with the girls of team Total Chaos and their parents, held a fundraising tournament at the field to help with expenses of cleaning up and maintaining the field. Eight teams, both local and from out of county and even out of state, signed up to participate in the tournament. Even the parents of team Total Chaos got in on the fun and formed their own team.

Indeed, the dedication to not only their team but also their community could be seen as well felt.

As the dusk turned to darkness, those in attendance cheered as music serenaded.

The flavorful smells from both the concession stand, which was dutifully run by the girls of team Total Chaos, and the Taco Lady permeated the air.

The sounds of kids playing catch and tag with mustaches of various colors from snow cones bought at Texas Sno creating a wonderful smalltown feel.

Teams who participated in the tournament were the Diamondbacks, Lonesomedove, I’d Hit That, Hit Happens, B2B, Chaos (Total Chaos parents), Misfits, and the Outlaws.