Waxahachie baseball, softball don Halloween costumes to aid Waxahachie CARE, local community

Travis M. Smith November 1, 2021 Baseball, Softball, Waxahachie High School 1,203 Views

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

WAXAHACHIE — A truckbed sagged much closer to the pavement than it parked as spectators exited the Bill Midkiff Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

The result of the heavy load was a canned food drive by the Waxahachie baseball and softball teams. And each can donated was undoubtedly worth the price of admission to the first-ever joint costume and Wiffle-ish ball game between the two programs.

The two teams — some dressed as dinosaurs, others as ninjas, past presidents, religious figures and cartoon characters — played a four-inning backward game. The ball matched that of a dodgeball. Players also had to swing from their non-dominant side and then run to third base before touching second, first and, eventually, home.

Hilarity ensued.

The outs were loosely kept, as were the rules. And, though the Lady Indian softball team ultimately “won” the inaugural game, 31-29, it was Waxahachie CARE and the surrounding community that truly won the evening.

“Let me tell you, I was exhausted, but I am super glad that I came,” said executive director Kim Holman. She added that the laughs and excitement around the event were indescribable.

Her husband, Wade, added, “Christmas time is our busiest season, and we have started to get into it this week and this past week, but we are so glad we came to this game.”

Wade disclosed his favorite costume on the night was a dinosaur, while Kim thoroughly enjoyed “the Minion on the girls’ side that was the pitcher because her arms were just too little to get the ball when it was hit.”

Waxahachie CARE is a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to provide food and essentials to the local community. Their efforts resulted in 621,497 pounds of food being distributed in the COVID-19-stricken year of 2020. The total marked the second consecutive year for the organization to top 500,000 pounds of food given.

Waxahachie CARE was also named the 2020 Non-Profit of the Year by the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce.

“We did not shut down when everyone thought we should and our Waxahachie friends came to the rally,” the Holmans stated online after receiving the award at the annual Waxahachie Chamber Gala. “Together, we have made a difference. People often ask how it’s going now, and our answer is we could in no way be doing all we do without the help and support of our great citizens.

“We still continue to invite groups to work during hours of operation and after hours. School groups, families, businesses, organizations and churches have moved mountains this past year. We sincerely thank you all and look forward to another great year.”

To connect with Waxahachie CARE, visit www.waxahachiecare.org.