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Blue Springs, MO —
When coach Ben Baier’s Blue Springs South baseball team began its association with Habitat for Humanity four years ago, the work was less demanding than when the Jaguars arrived at their Independence site Saturday afternoon.
“The first year we did some insulation stuff, the second year we did some painting and last year we hung some sheet rock,” Baier said. “When we got here today, all we saw was the foundation, so the boys basically built this house from the ground up.”
When the daylong project was complete, thanks to two shifts consisting of 16 players, there were four exterior walls constructed along with several interior walls.
“I’ve worked with this team before,” said Habitat for Humanity site coordinator Scott Willoughby. “I knew they could handle this job. They’re a terrific group of kids, and we’re so happy to have them donate their time.”
Each player had an assigned duty, and performed it flawlessly, as Baier jokingly said, “Our biggest goal today was no injuries,” Baier said, smiling. “And so far, so good.”
When asked about spending their Saturday afternoon helping someone within their community, the players seemed eager and excited to talk about the project.
“This is fun, and we’re helping someone,” Gehrig Hudson said. “To come here and see all the wood on the ground, and now to see the walls up is really pretty amazing.
“Before I leave for college, I’m going to come back by and see what the finished product looks like.”
Ditto for teammate Mowgs Taylor.
“This is the third year I’ve worked on a house,” said Taylor, whose father, Rick, is the Baseball Booster Club president at South. “And this is the most special year because we’re really building a house. When you do something like this, it helps you realize just how lucky you are.
“Someday real soon I’m going to stop by and talk to the people who live here. I think that would be special, to talk to the people who live in the house we helped build.”
Following a quick lunch of eight pizzas donated by Tim’s Pizza in Independence, the players got back to work.
“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but I like how this belt fits,” said Dallas Herrmann, when asked if he provided his own tool belt. “They had tool belts and equipment for all of us. It might sound corny, but I think doing something like this builds as much team chemistry as a practice or a game.
“We’re out here helping someone, but we’re also bonding as a team, and that’s important.”
Colton Pogue backed those sentiments when he added, “It’s just a great experience and a great opportunity for guys on the team to get together, to help someone, and to bond and have fun while we’re doing it.
“When we pulled up and saw the walls and the tools all lined up and ready for us, it was intimidating. But they did a great job telling what to do and we just kind of took it from there.”
When coach Ben Baier’s Blue Springs South baseball team began its association with Habitat for Humanity four years ago, the work was less demanding than when the Jaguars arrived at their Independence site Saturday afternoon.
“The first year we did some insulation stuff, the second year we did some painting and last year we hung some sheet rock,” Baier said. “When we got here today, all we saw was the foundation, so the boys basically built this house from the ground up.”
When the daylong project was complete, thanks to two shifts consisting of 16 players, there were four exterior walls constructed along with several interior walls.
“I’ve worked with this team before,” said Habitat for Humanity site coordinator Scott Willoughby. “I knew they could handle this job. They’re a terrific group of kids, and we’re so happy to have them donate their time.”
Each player had an assigned duty, and performed it flawlessly, as Baier jokingly said, “Our biggest goal today was no injuries,” Baier said, smiling. “And so far, so good.”
When asked about spending their Saturday afternoon helping someone within their community, the players seemed eager and excited to talk about the project.
“This is fun, and we’re helping someone,” Gehrig Hudson said. “To come here and see all the wood on the ground, and now to see the walls up is really pretty amazing.
“Before I leave for college, I’m going to come back by and see what the finished product looks like.”
Ditto for teammate Mowgs Taylor.
“This is the third year I’ve worked on a house,” said Taylor, whose father, Rick, is the Baseball Booster Club president at South. “And this is the most special year because we’re really building a house. When you do something like this, it helps you realize just how lucky you are.
“Someday real soon I’m going to stop by and talk to the people who live here. I think that would be special, to talk to the people who live in the house we helped build.”
Following a quick lunch of eight pizzas donated by Tim’s Pizza in Independence, the players got back to work.
“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but I like how this belt fits,” said Dallas Herrmann, when asked if he provided his own tool belt. “They had tool belts and equipment for all of us. It might sound corny, but I think doing something like this builds as much team chemistry as a practice or a game.
“We’re out here helping someone, but we’re also bonding as a team, and that’s important.”
Colton Pogue backed those sentiments when he added, “It’s just a great experience and a great opportunity for guys on the team to get together, to help someone, and to bond and have fun while we’re doing it.
“When we pulled up and saw the walls and the tools all lined up and ready for us, it was intimidating. But they did a great job telling what to do and we just kind of took it from there.”
