09/07/2026
I have taken some time to soak in what just happened in Freeport with the visit from Ben Zobrist. Having had some extended personal time with Ben and his team, I can tell you they are truly the best people you will ever meet. And they shared that their experience here in Freeport with the people they interacted with was uplifting. Thanks to all our board members, volunteers, sponsors, city officials, and fans who attended, as well as those who could not attend, but supported what was happening. You all know who you are! Ben was not paid to come to Freeport--he wanted to come! We should all be proud of that fact! He enjoyed the small town, big heart atmosphere he saw here. Little Cubs Field was built by not only our Freeport and Stephenson County community, but the extended Cubs-loving, baseball-loving( all fans of all teams), positive-thinking, outside the box-thinking community all over this country. We needed every one of you to make this a positive environment for all to enjoy. The Ben Zobrist visit just show-cased that spirit again, and I am confident this is going to continue into the future. WE ARE NOT DONE! Ben Zobrist is a Pretzel! He is a Freeporter! Do not be surprised if you see him again here. Several firsts occurred on September 5th--The first former major leaguer to hit a homerun by kicking a kickball in a replica staduim, and a homerun by hitting a Blitzball in a replica staduim, and the first former major leaguer to be photographed with twin newborn babies in each arm! I am confident those records will not be replicated. Most importantly, thanks to my wife, Judy, for putting me obsessing over endless details, including looking at 14 day weather forecasts( Did you know these are often wrong?). And I learned what going viral on facebook means! Thanks again, Denny Garkey, on behalf of the Little Cubs Field Board.
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