A Thank You for a Ballpark

This past season, the Hornsby Elementary School hosted the Hardeman County Middle School baseball tournament for the first time.
The field, the dream of Bill McDaniel of Hornsby, began in 2010. He tells the story:
In 2010, the idea of an HES baseball team became a reality. My grandson, Kaleb McKinnie, indicated that he and his friends at HES would like to form a Middle School baseball team. I presented this idea to the HES principal, Mr. Ted Kessler, and he was in total agreement. With the assistance of the HES parents and grandparents, a team was organized. We also invited the Toone Middle School students who were interested to join us. Mrs. Watson, Toone’s principal, agreed to our invitation.
Getting access to fields for practice and games was very difficult. Therefore, HES thought it would be logical and convenient to have our own field. When I presented the idea to Mr. Kessler, he said, “Go for it!”
I met with the Board of Education to discuss the construction of a field in the vacant acreage in front of the school. The Board took the proposal under consideration, and I was invited back for a second meeting. After discussion of the issue, the Board approved the project; however, the Board told me there was no money in the budget for this project. I thanked the Board for their approval and the process of constructing an HES ballfield began. I would like to recognize all who assisted wit this major task.
The major monetary donors (power hitters) were: Lynn and Lisa Hodge; Tony Hooper Sawmill; Timmy Hooper Sawmill; Hornsby Baptist Church, and the Hornsby PTO.

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